1 
NAT. ORDER. GERANIACE^. 157 
In many of these plants, instances have occurred, m which 
one or more of the white petals have had a stripe of red in them ; 
and we have observed that the dark color at the base of the upper- 
most petals, is, in a certain degree, soluble in water ; for, on the 
plants being watered, the white petals have here and there become 
stained by the coloring matter proceeding from it, and which, in a 
diluted state, is of a purplish tint. As the flowers decay, this 
apparently black part, distinguished by the roughness of its sur- 
face, arising from prominent lucid points, and which essentially 
distinguish the species, is sometimes perforated with numerous 
small holes. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope ; and the 
various varieties comprise the great majority of the entire Natural 
Order of this class of plants. 
Propagation and Culture. Numerous varieties of the Gera- 
nium have been introduced into this country; and such attention 
bestowed upon their culture, that they have now become a common 
ornament in almost every parlor ; the accumulation of which, if 
placed in a tight room, is certainly very injurious to health. The 
following remarks upon the cultivation of this beautiful plant, are 
from the pen of Mr. Carter. He says : " This plant is increased 
by cuttings, and sometimes by seeds. To propagate them by cut- 
tings, take, after the plant has done flowering, a strong shoot of 
new wood; and after cutting off the top, leaving not more than 
three buds, taking care to cut the bottom off at the eye or bud ; 
and plant it, one bud in the ground, and two out. Let the soil be 
of a light, rich loam — if convenient, after the following : — a rich, 
light soil, as mixture of loam and peat, with one-third decayed 
leaves ; drain well with charcoal, and be sure to keep them from 
the frost, as very little chill will destroy them." 
The cultivation and raising of plants, is becoming an object 
worthy the attention of every admirer and lover of nature's best 
gifts. The figure of the plant here described, was taken from 
the garden of the celebrated florist, Mr. Gath, of Providence ; 
hence, by Mr. Carter, to whom we are indebted for its likeness, it 
