GLOXINIA PASSING II AMII. 
(Mr. Passingham's Gloxinia.) 
Class. 
DIDYNAMIA. 
Order. 
ANGIOSPERMIA. 
Natural Order. 
GESNERACEjE. 
Generic Character. — Calyx adnate to the ovarium, 
by the middle ; limb five-parted, free. Corolla semi- 
superior, oblique, funnel-shaped, or campanulately 
subringent, gibbose behind at the base ; tube ventri- 
cose; limb spreading ; upper lip two-lobed, lower one 
three-lobed. Stamens four, didynamous, with the ru- 
diment of a fifth behind. Glands five, perigynous. 
Capsule one-celled, two-valved ; placentas two, parietal, 
two-lobed. Seeds numerous, oblong. 
Specific Character — Plant a tuberous perennial. 
Stem short, and as well as the leaves, petioles, and 
peduncles, covered with villous hairs, Leaves ovate, 
wrinkled, bluntly and rather closely crenated, some- 
what acute, glaucous beneath. Calyx spreading. 
Flowers very large, deep rich violet. 
Numerous and beautiful as are the many varieties of different species of plants, 
the production of which we may trace to the practice of hybridising, still there is 
not that genuine interest attached to their origin which surrounds that of a subject 
like our present. 
In the instance of a novelty procured by means of the practice in question, 
however much we may esteem it for its individual excellence, our regard for its 
merits is not unaccompanied by a reflection, that it is in the power of many, by 
the employment of similar agency to that which has originated the object of our 
solicitude, to obtain that which may equal, perhaps eclipse, what we would fain 
consider unsurpassable. 
But to revert to the origination of the subject of our present notice as recounted 
by Mr. Passingham of Trew, in the county of Cornwall, in compliment to whom 
the plant has received its specific title. 
Mr. P. writes :— " The Gloxinia was discovered by a friend who is a great 
florist as well as botanist, in the province of Rio Janeiro ; it was found in a deep 
ravine, much shaded, and in a very damp situation, high up the Corcovado moun- 
tain. It was in a situation very difficult to get at, but its extremely rich purple 
colour induced the gentleman to procure the root, as the flower was so distinct 
from any other he had before met with." 
In tracing the history, and contemplating the native wilds from whence so 
engaging an object has been wrested, we find encircling its origin an enduring 
