8 
LOBELIA FULGENS. 
L. fulgens pyramidalis differs slightly from the above in colour, being of a lighter 
and brighter scarlet, the lower divisions of the corolla being longer, narrower, and 
more pointed ; the habit is the same in every respect. 
Both the above were raised from seeds, by Mr. Bell of Taunton, and are certainly 
the finest kinds which have of late appeared. 
The L. fulgens Marryattce is crimson, beautifully mottled with a lighter colour. 
They are all most useful varieties. Their cultivation is easy ; they may either be planted 
in a warm and moist situation in the borders, or grown in pots, at the option of 
the cultivator. 
The best soil is composed of two parts peat and one part sandy loam ; in potting, 
give a good drainage with sherds ; for although they are plants which require a deal 
of water, they do not thrive if it stagnates. When the plants begin to grow, if in 
pots, place saucers beneath, and keep them always filled with water. 
They are increased freely by suckers, by division of the roots, and by seeds. 
The greenhouse species consist of 3 shrubby plants, which should be potted in a 
mixture of peat and sand, and are easily increased by cuttings ; of 40 herbaceous 
perennials, which require to be potted in peat and sand, and are propagated by the 
same means as the other perennials ; and of 3 biennial and annual kinds. Sow the 
biennial and annual kinds in pots, transplant the former as soon as they are large 
enough, and repot as often as necessary ; but the annual species do better if not 
disturbed by transplantation. The two stove species are perennials, and must be 
treated just like the others. 
Lobelias have all a milky acrid juice, and their properties are in many cases 
dangerous. “ Siphocampylos Caoutchouc is so named by the inhabitants of Popayan 
from the tenacity of its juice. Tupa Feuillcei yields a dangerous poison in Chili. 
The most active article of the North American Materia Medica is Lobelia inflata. 
Isotoma longiflorciy a native of some of the West India Islands, is one of the most 
venomous of plants ; the Spanish Americans call it Lebenta Cavallos, because it 
proves fatal to horses that eat it, swelling them until they burst ; taken internally, it 
acts as a violent cathartic, the effects of which no remedy can assuage, and which end 
in death. The leaves are active vesicants. Lobelia urens, a rare European plant, 
derives its name from its blistering quality. Nevertheless, it is alleged that the 
succulent fruit of Gentropogon surinamensis is eatable.”* 
The order, which is nearly allied to Bell worts {Campanulacea) on the one hand, 
and Composites (Aster acece) on the other, contains 27 genera ; the species of many 
of them, however, are yet unknown in this country, except by dried specimens and 
descriptions. 
They are divided into three sections : — 1st, Clintonece, containing 4 genera; 2nd, 
* Lindiey’s Veg. King. 
