190 
FLORIC ULTUR AL NOTICES. 
lilac or purple centre. It changes to a pale buff or brownish hue. "It is an inhabitant of 
Panama and Columbia, and has frequently been sent by Mr. Skinner from Guatemala." The 
specimen figured was " communicated in the early spring of 1842, from the rich collection of 
Orchidacese at Pellengar, by its possessor, Dillwyn Llewellyn, Esq." 
Bego'nia crassicau'lis. Introduced from Guatemala to the Horticultural Society by Mr. 
Hartweg. " It has the singular property of producing its narrow panicles of white and pink 
owers without the leaves. In the month of February they appear in profusion upon rugged, 
fleshy, gouty stems, and the leaves are not formed till some weeks later. Each flower consists of 
two sepals only, which, being rounded and convex, give the appeai'ance of a bivalve shell ; or, 
when the flowers are unexpanded, the blossoms may be compared to clusters of fourpenny-pieces." 
The species is allied to B. heracleifolia, with which it much agrees in the form of the leaves, but 
in that species the flowers appear in cymose panicles on the end of long erect peduncles, and at 
the same time with the leaves. The angles of the fruit, too, are much rounded off. " Like all 
the genus, it is very easy to cultivate, requiring nothing more than a cool damp stove, and any 
sort of light peaty soil." Bot. Reg. 44. 
Bigno x nia pi'cta. Messrs. Rollisson, of Tooting, flowered this elegant climbing plant in 
March last, and it is probably a native of Beunos Ayres. " The large violet flowers, with deep 
rich purple veins, have a fine appearance, while the slender habit renders the plant particularly 
well suited for trellising in a pot." Its leaves are opposite and in pairs, simple, oblong, and 
acute. The flowers, too, are borne in pairs, and are large and specious. Besides being very 
ornamental, it is said to be as hardy as B. capreolata, requiring the same treatment. " Like all 
Bignonias, it should have a strong rich loamy soil ; for although they grow vigorously in light 
sandy or peaty soils, they never flower freely under such treatment, and occupy much more room 
both for their tops and roots to grow in. It is increased from seeds or cuttings of the half- 
ripened slender shoots, put in sand, and treated in the ordinary way." Bot. Reg. 45. 
Cobu'rghia hu'milis. Singularly dwarf, and scarcely possessing any leaves at the time of 
flowering, this little plant has a most curious appearance. It was "found by J. Maclean, Esq., 
near Palcamayo, on the Peruvian Andes, at an elevation of 10,284 feet, in a quarter where there 
were many wild bulbs, and wheat and potatoes were cultivated." Specimens were gathered in 
which the blossoms were perfectly erect, but this only occurs before they are fully developed. 
<' The flower of C. humilis bends downwards, as it advances, after the germen and scape, which 
were at first under ground, have acquired their full elongation ; and it rises daily and falls at night, 
and hangs so far down over the edge of the pot, that its limb must be firmly pressed against the 
ground — unless, as seems probable, it grows naturally on steep banks." The blossoms are large 
and of a bright red colour. The species " flowered at Spofforth, in March and April, 1842, and 
perfected its seed. All Coburghias like a strong rich soil." Bot. Reg. 46. 
Echinoca'ctus tenuispi'nus. " Cultivated in the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew ; where it 
must be confessed that the flowers are very similar to those of E. Ottonis, of which Dr. Pfeiffer 
makes it a variety : — but, on the other hand, the form of the plant, a much-depressed globe, is 
quite different from that of E. Ottonis. The spines, too, are here much longer, and the native 
country of the two is very different ; — E. Ottonis being an inhabitant of Mexico, while E. tenui- 
spinus is stated by Pfeiffer to come from South Brazil. It flowers in July, and makes a pretty 
appearance with the copious bright lemon- coloured flowers, large in proportion to the size of the 
plant, and the red stigmas in the centre." Bot. Mag. 3963. 
Habra'nthus prate'nsis; var. quadriflora. " This bright-coloured flower seems evidently 
referable to Habranthus pratensis. It differs from the description of Dr. Poeppig only in having 
the leaf not decidedly glaucous, the flowers four instead of three, and teeth irregularly serrate, 
Avhich he describes as serrate. It is the only Habranthus we have seen with decidedly dentate 
processes." It was "sent by Mr. Veitch, of Exeter, also by Mr. Bridges to Mr. Bevan, from 
Valdivia. Flowered in May 1842, in the open air." Bot. May. 3961. 
- Mormo n des linea^tum. An interesting and curious plant, "native of Guatemala, whence it 
has been sent by both Mr. Skinner and Mr. Hartweg, who were attracted to its seat, among the 
most inaccessible branches of trees overhanging a deep stream, by its delicious fragrance. The 
flowers, when they first appeared, were dull olive green, and by no means handsome ; they have 
since acquired a bright warm tint, and the markings upon them have increased in intensity till 
