76 . BALSAMINA M ASTERSI AN A. 
We received this species at Chatsworth in the autumn of 1837- Mr. Gibson 
first found it growing on tlie Klioseea Hills, and brought home seeds at the period 
just stated. Plants raised from these, flowered profusely during the whole of the 
summer of 1838, at which time our drawing was executed. 
In its cultivation, the same treatment may be pursued as is generally bestowed 
on common balsams. A light, rich soil, frequent shifting, a generous supply of 
water, due exposure to light, and a slight, moist bottom heat, are the chief requi- 
sites, previously to the appearance of the flowers. When these, however, begin 
to exhibit themselves, the plants should be removed to the greenhouse, placing 
them first in a house of an intermediate temperature, and accustoming them gra- 
dually to that of the structure just named. Unless this caution is exercised, their 
appearance may be greatly injured ; for a sudden change of such a description 
would be in the highest degree prejudicial. The advantage of this transference 
will be apparent in the larger size, deeper colour, and greater duration of the 
blossoms. 
The main art in cultivating balsams to perfection, is to keep them continually 
growing after the seeds have germinated. This can be easily effected by affording 
every kind of aliment w T hich Nature teaches to be essential. We have above 
stated what are the principal of these, and the cultivator must apportion them to 
the state of the atmosphere, or the peculiar circumstances in which the plants 
may be placed. 
Although a decided annual species, and capable of multiplication by seeds, 
cuttings of this plant root with great readiness, and it may thus be perpetuated as 
a perennial. Plants obtained by this method in the autumn, and retained through 
the winter in a stove, or a house with a temperature a little above that of the 
greenhouse, will flower most beautifully in the early spring. 
Where specimens of extraordinary size or beauty are desired, the first flower- 
buds which present themselves should be carefully removed, as they are seldom 
so perfect as those of subsequent expansion, and would therefore exhaust the 
plant to no purpose. 
Balsamina is derived from balsamum, balsam ; a preparation of the original 
species being supposed to possess healing properties. Professor Don, however, 
suggests that lalassan, the Arab term for the balsam, is the proper primitive. 
We have named this species in honour of Mr. Masters, head gardener at the 
Hon. East India Company's Botanic Garden, Calcutta : — an individual highly 
deserving of commemoration. 
