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BEGONIA ODORATA. 
(sweet scented begonia.) 
CLASS. ORDER. 
MONCECIA. POLYANDRIA. 
NATURAL ORDER. 
BEGONIACEJE. 
Generic Character. — See Vol. III. p. 125. 
Specific Character. — A stove evergreen, from one and a half to two feet high. Stem rather slen- 
der, somewhat hranching, erect. Leaves somewhat angular, acuminate, irregularly toothleted, 
pale green, smooth on each side. Stipulus a dry membrane. Flowers pretty and numerous, 
white. 
This species has not, to our knowledge, been before figured in any botanical 
work in this country, neither are we aware that any mention has been made of it in 
any publication, exGept Mr. Loudon's Encyclopedia of Plants, where it is described 
without reference. 
We saw the plant in full flower, which furnished the sample for our figure, in 
the Messrs. Youngs' nursery, at Epsom, and were much struck with the handsome 
appearance it presented : the plant being about two feet high, and crowned with a 
profusion of white flowers, produced a pleasing and striking contrast with the green 
foliage beneath. Our figure falls much short of conveying an adequate idea of its 
merits, the flowers being naturally larger and more numerous, and of a much 
brighter colour ; but, perhaps, its greatest merit resides in the fragrance emitted by 
the flowers, which certainly is not powerful but very pleasant. 
Of its native country we know nothing certain, but suspect it to be a West 
Indian species. 
It thrives in the stove in any light rich soil, and propagates freely from cut- 
tings, planted in sand or sandy mould, and placed under a glass. Its flowering 
season is April and May. 
