79 
AMPHICOME ARGUTA. 
(finely-cut leaved amphicome.) 
class. order. 
DIDYNAMIA. ANGIOSPERMIA. 
natural order. 
BIGNONIACE^. 
Generic Character. — Calyx canipanulate, five toothed, the inner parts exposed. Corolla funnel- 
shaped; limb five-Jobed, two-lipped; lobes nearly equal. Stamens didynamous ; anthers in pairs, 
pressed close to the style. Rudiment of the fifth stamen avvi-shaped. Disc hypogynous, cup- 
shaped. Ovarium one-celled ; placentae two, linear, parietal, many-seeded. Stigma two-plated. 
Capsule pod-shaped, opening by either suture ; dissepiments free. Seeds protruding, hairy on both 
sides. 
Specific Character. — Plant perennial, herbaceous. Stems subterranean, rooting. Branches smooth, 
from two to three feet high, deep green. Leaves dark green, smooth, pinnate ; leaflets ovate- 
lanceolate, acuminate, sessile, rarely without a row of serratures on each side, entire at their summits, 
terminal one frequently three-lobed : stem-leaves composed of two pairs ; lower ones of four. 
Racemes terminal, inclining to one side, few-flowered ; peduncles filiform, slender, drooping. Calyx 
campanulate, sliglitly ciliated, five toothed ; lobes awl-shaped. Corolla smooth, light rose-coloured, 
funnel-shaped ; lobes of the lower lip rounded, those of the upper one partially truncate. Ovarium. 
linear, placentae likewise linear. Capsule filiform, smooth, becoming plaited at the extremity. 
Perhaps a more truly elegant plant, or one more likely to prove permanently 
valuable, has not been introduced to this country for many years than the one here 
represented. There is a beauty, a bevv^itching gracefulness in its appearance, 
which at once allures the eye of the observer, and elicits his admiration ; while no 
feature in its character has the slightest tendency to depreciate its interest. 
For the addition of this lovely plant to British collections, we are indebted to 
Dr. Royle, by whom seeds of it were sent to the London Horticultural Society. 
It was collected on the Himalayah mountains, at an elevation of from 6000 to 
8000 feet ; inhabiting chiefly the valley of the Buspa, and the country near Turanda, 
in Kunawur. A solitary specimen was raised in the gardens of the Horticultural 
Society, which blossomed in August, 1837. Subsequently, it has been freely 
propagated, and distributed amongst various individuals. 
Examined botanically, this plant is highly curious, the structure of its flowers 
presenting some remarkable characters. These we have not attempted to portray, 
well knowing that its general appearance is chiefly regarded by the cultivator. 
Of this latter, our plate will convey a correct idea ; and we may here state that 
