60 
BOTANICAL INDEX. 
stamens in position. Fig. 39, B, is ahorizontal section of the same, showing the form 
and position of the ovaries, and Fig. 39, C , one ovary enlarged. [The base of the 
ovary is more pointed than shown in cut, which was discovered too late to correct.] 
The spadix is long, round, and completely covered with small, insignificant flow- 
ers, entirely destitute of calyx or corolla, but densely covered with the bright yellow 
anthers, (Fig. 39, D,) presenting to the eye an almost unbroken, fleshy stem. The 
anthers upon the upper portion of the spadix are wide, wedge-shape, connected 
between the cells, set close together in various fantastic forms, each cell emitting 
large quantities of snow-white pollen from the pores, (one in each cell.) The ovaries 
occupy the lower part of the spadix, and are mixed up with a number of barren 
stamens; each one has three parietal placenta and is partially subdivided into three 
compartments; the style is short and glandular. The fruit consist of one-celled 
few-seeded berries. The base of the spadix is inserted in a soft, cellular, enlarged 
process, which is the growing point of the flower stalk, and analogous to the succu- 
lent seed receptacle of the delicious fruit we call strawberry, raspberry, black- 
berry, etc. 
The plant of Richardia Africana ( Calla ) is quite showy, producing large, arrow- 
shaped, glossy green leaves, standing well above the earth or water, producing their 
choice flowers under cultivation in midwinter or spring, but by varying their treat- 
ment they can be bloomed at almost any season of the year; however, mature plants 
seldom produce more than three or four flowers in a season, and one or two year old 
plants, as well as poorly grown plants, seldom throw up more than one flower stalk, 
and occasionally that one yields only a green, blasted spathe. They are probably the 
easiest cultivated and cared for of any house-plant, but the mode of treatment adopted 
by plant growers vary in so many important respects that it will be well to notice 
it here. Some will keep them growing in pots the year round ; others plant them out 
in rich, moist ground, during summer; while still others will lay the plants (in the 
pot) on their side, in a shady place, and dry them out during summer. All the dif- 
ferent modes of treatment have their enthusiastic advocates, and all are equally cer- 
tain theirs is the best. We have tried all these different methods, 
and find the result the same. Now, while we are treating of the 
culture of the Richardia , let us notice an article in Harper's Weekly, 
for February 18, 1878. It says : “A lady of Michigan has been very 
successful in obtaining two flowers instead of one from every 
flowering sheath of the Calla Lily. Her method is as follows : As 
soon as the joint flower is cut, or begins to wither, pull the stalk 
down through the open sheath clear to the bottom. At the bottom 
will be found standing close to the stalk, another bud, inclosed in 
a delicate covering. Cut the old stalk away as close as possible 
without injuring the bud, and if it has not been kept back too long, 
it will grow up very quickly.” 
Now, our experience is that only large, well matured roots will 
throw up two flower stalks in quick succession, even when so 
treated, and then the second stalk will only start after the root has 
partly recovered from the exhaustion of the first flowering; conse- 
quently, we find the removal of the first flower stalk only acceler- 
ates the second blooming a short time. Fig. 40 represents a mature 
leaf stalk C, inclosing a portion of the mature stem of the first flower, 
A, and position of the second, dormant bud, B, as seen in situ. It is 
a well known fact to cultivators, that the ripening of fruit 
and the development of flowers on house-plants, so far exhaust the 
vitality of the tree or plant that it often requires a year or even 
more to recover entirely; especially if there was a large crop of 
fruit or inflorescence. It is a very common practice among suc- 
cessful fruit-growers and florists to remove a portion of the fruit, 
if a too large number of germs desire to mature, and to remove the 
flowers as soon as they are fully developed on pot plants. No doubt 
the removal of a withered flower (and stalk) is a benefit to the Fig. 40. iJ. Af stalk. 
plant, and it certainly improves its appearance; but if we expect to increase its 
inflorescence, we must not be surprised if our anticipations are subjected to serious 
disappointment. 
Richardia melanoleuca, from South Africa, is one of the most remarkably beautiful 
green-house plants ever introduced. It was discovered by one of William Bull’s 
(London, England,) collectors, and sent out in 1876, but has never got to be a very 
common plant yet. It grows about two feet in height, throwing up from the tuber- 
ous root a small tuft of acuminate leaves with spreading basal lobes, the surface of 
which is dark green, with numerous oblong translucent spots followingthe direction 
of the veins; the spathe is three inches long and about the same in breadth when it 
