50 
TROP^OLUM TUBEROSUM. 
a dense mass of verdure, four feet high, and full six feet in diameter. This, com- 
pared with the weak and stunted manner in which they had grown while kept in 
pots, was considered perfectly astonishing ; still not the slightest disposition to 
produce flowers was discovered. However, about the latter end of September the 
flowers began to exhibit themselves from the axil of each leaf, and in the month of 
Octoberj each plant was most profusely studded with its elegant blossoms. It is 
worthy of remark, that Nature seems to have furnished this plant with long flower- 
stalks for the purpose of displaying the flowers ; for, although the plants might 
truly be said to be literally covered with blossoms, every flower protruded itself 
beyond the leaves and branches, and stood out boldly and advantageously to view ; 
it is needless to add that the effect produced was beautiful beyond description. 
Some slight frosts occurring in the latter end of October, without injuring this 
plant, it was considered that it would prove quite impervious to the influence of 
cold ; but a more severe one coming in November, the stems and foliage were 
completely destroyed, just as the flowers had attained the highest degree of per- 
fection ; and it was then deemed prudent to remove the tubers from the soil, 
and preserve them through the winter in a dry and dormant state. This should 
teach us, that to ensure an abundant display of flowers without subjecting the 
plants to injury from frost, they should be planted out early in the spring ; in 
which case they would doubtless form a most brilliant and attractive feature in 
the flower garden during the summer and autumnal months. 
This plant may be propagated freely from cuttings, although the tubers are 
produced very abundantly, and each tuber will make an excellent plant. These 
tubers are also edible, and Mr. Young informs us, that they are, when boiled, 
superior in flavour to any potato, though they are disposed to be watery, and do 
not boil firm. Plants kept in the greenhouse produced their flowers very scantily, 
and many of them did not flower at all. This is one of the many beautiful plants 
introduced by Mr. Drummond from the Texas, to the Glasgow Botanic Garden, 
about the year 1834, from which establishment it was received by Mr. Young of 
Epsom, and oTir drawing was obtained from this gentleman in the month of 
October, 1837. 
Mr. Young possesses a considerable stock of it, from whom it may be obtained 
at a very cheap rate. The specific name alludes to the character of the roots. 
