99 
CULTURE OF THE GENUS CRINUM. 
There has existed considerable difference of opinion as to the distinctive 
characters of the two genera, Crinum and Amaryllis. Mr. Gower says, “ there is 
no difference between the true Crinums and those placed under Amaryllis , except 
a slight variation in the form of the corolla, and in the inclination of the filaments. 
The form of the bulb constitutes no essential distinction, as it varies greatly in the 
acknowledged members of the genus, being spherical, or conical, or cylindrical, or 
of mixed form. These forms graduate into each other; and in some species the 
trace of a bulb is hardly to be made out, the leaves diverging at once from the root 
stock. In C. erubescens , which never loses its leaves, the bulb is scarcely to be 
traced. In C. Asiaticum, the poison bulb, and its allies, it is decidedly columnar, 
and the foliage persistent (not falling off). These inhabit the deep alluvia of 
rivers, and are exposed to inundation during the periodical rains ; and are always 
sufficiently supplied with moisture to be kept in a state of growth. Crinum 
scabrum , and all its kindred Amarylloid Crinums , have true bulbs ; and in our 
collections cannot be preserved in health without a season of absolute rest. Their 
foliage is deciduous, in many sloughing off completely from the bulb. They inhabit 
dry ground in their native regions, and are exposed to long periodical returns of 
great drought, and to the utter loss of their foliage*.” From these observations, 
we gather that all those species, the roots of which are perfect bulbs, and foliage 
entirely deciduous, must have no water during the time they are dormant, and be 
watered at all times with care ; the soil, although rich, should be light by a mixture 
of leaf-mould, peat, and sand, and the pots well drained with potshards, and be 
placed in a situation near the glass, yet in a very hot part of the stove : by this 
treatment, and keeping them dry when dormant, they will flower very freely, 
particularly if potted every year in fresh mould previously to their beginning to 
grow again. 
All those species, the bulbs of which grow with a long thick neck, somewhat 
resembling a leek, as C. amabile , the finest species of the genus, and C. bracteatum , 
which, although amongst the smallest, is elegant and very fragrant. C. peduncu- 
latum, C. riparia, &c. require a great quantity of water during their flowering 
season, and a moderate portion throughout the remainder of the year. They grow 
freely in rich mould, with a little sand mixed to keep it from binding ; these should 
be planted in large pots, and plunged in the bark-bed, or placed upon the flue, and 
if well drained they can scarcely be overwatered, particularly the C. riparia , and 
C. longifolium, the former of which was found by Burch ell in 1816, in a tract of 
country in Southern Africa, till then untraversed by any European ; “ it grew in 
large bunches on the banks of the Nugareip or Black river, in similar situations to 
Botanical Register, fol. 1049. 
