FLORICULTURAL NOTICES. 
93 
more appropriate. Not only are the furrows in the calyx of this species wrinkled, as in V. ceeli-rosa, 
but the angles themselves are remarkably so, and puckered transversely. The other characters 
mentioned by Dr. Lindley are equally constant : the sudden contraction of the calyx below the 
imiddle, the short notch on the petals, the fine dark eye at the base, instead of the pale and 
falmost white of the old species, and which gives our plant such a lively appearance, the short and 
I broad appendage (corona) to the claws, and the dotted capsule. It blooms in the summer and 
, autumn months, and may be treated as a hardy annual ; but the late flowers become paler and 
smaller in size.” Bot. Mag. 4075. 
| NEW OR INTERESTING PLANTS FLOWERING IN THE PRINCIPAL SUBURBAN GARDENS 
AND NURSERIES. 
' Aristolo'chia Gi'gas. To one unacquainted with the singular form peculiar to the blossoms 
of Aristoldchia , it will almost be impossible to convey a tolerable idea of the appearance pre- 
sented by the extraordinary flowers of this scarce plant. They consist of a tubular calyx very 
much curved, and expanding into an immensely large and broad lip, having no division of its 
I margin, with the exception of an indentation sufficient to give it a decidedly cordate form. The 
lower part of the lip is extended into an extremely long and linear tail, similar to that of A. 
trilobala, but far exceeding it in dimensions. Besides the unusual size and singular form, the 
flowers are no less attractive, from the numerous purple veins which intersect each other, over 
the entire surface of the lip, which has a cream-coloured ground. In texture it is strong and 
leathery, and the surface is wrinkled and uneven. Around the orifice of the tube, the colour 
is an intensely rich velvety purple, which contributes much to the beauty of the flower. With 
all these recommendations, however, the blossoms are not without a deteriorating quality, for they 
have a strong and extremely disagreeable odour, resembling that of putrid flesh, and which is 
(quite as strong as in the Siapelia grand) flora, the well-known carrion-flower. As it is a climbing 
plant, and the blossoms are produced on the young shoots, and consequently near the roof of the 
house, this is not so great an objection as in the Stapelia , where they are in the lower part of the 
house. The plant, too, from its extreme luxuriance of growth, is only suitable for a large stove, 
where the unpleasant smell will be less powerfully felt than in the confined atmosphere of a 
smaller structure. The foliage is abundant and heart-shaped, and, like the flower, is also large. 
The stem is deeply fluted. It was introduced to the Garden of the Horticultural Society some 
years since, from Guatemala, and a cut specimen taken from a plant flowering in the Society’s 
1 Collection was exhibited at the rooms in Regent-street in the early part of the month. 
Bego'nia a'cida. This is a species remarkable for thick, fleshy leaves, covered with a hoary, 
’woolly substance, which, however, easily rubs off, especially on the upper surface. The stem is 
stout and strong, of a woody nature, and similarly clothed with wool, though of a browner colour. 
The panicles of flowers are supported on stalks nearly a foot long. The flower’s are about the 
(size of B. semper flbrens , and of a clear and spotless white. It is blooming in the collection of 
the Horticultural Society. 
Bego'nia papillo'sa. Another species, also flowering in one of the stoves at the Horti- 
cultural Society’s Gardens, at Chiswick, but with a more luxuriant habit and more lively foliage 
than the last. The leaves are also much largex*, and are very soft to the touch, the under side 
being densely clothed with small hairs. The flowers are disposed in loose panicles, and, like the 
foliage, have the under or outer surface of the petals covei’ed with small hairs. 
Brachyse'ma platy'ptera. Messrs. Hendei'son, of Pine Apple-place, have a good specimen 
| °f this plant in flower. There is much dissimilarity in the form of the leaves, some being broad 
and ovate, whilst others are long and lance-shaped. They are of a dry, rigid texture, and a deep, 
shining green colour. It grows freely, and branches abundantly, and the crimson flowers are 
borne, three or four together, from the axils of the leaves. To have good plants, they should be 
grown in a heathy soil, and placed in a warm gi’eenhouse, where they must be plentifully 
ji supplied with water during the summer. 
Cattle' ya. A magnificent member of this delightful genus of Orchidaceous plants has recently 
I flowered in the nursery of Messi’s. Rollisson, of Tooting. It was received by them about five 
years ago from La Guayra, but has never pi’oduced any flowei’s till the present season. Pi’obably 
fit is a variety of C. labiata or C. Mossice, but it is easily distinguished from the plants of those 
