Plate 393. 
BEGONIA BRILLIANT. 
This remarkably-attractive variety illustrates in a forcible manner the value of the 
dwarf race of tuberous-rooted Begonias as pot plants; and in order that the habit and 
general appearance of the plant should be faithfully produced, Mr. Fitch has sketched the 
specimen exactly as it was seen flowering in Mr. B. S. Williams’s Nursery, at Holloway. 
In regard to its dwarf and close, but at the same time free habit, it leaves nothing to be 
desired as a subject for pot-culture. It is remarkably floriferous ; the point of each 
pendant shoot shows a profusion of blossoms, and they issue from side shoots also, 
clothing the plant with a large number of rich-coloured flowers. 
Though this is not the first of a dwarf race, it is a valuable addition to those already 
obtained by Messrs. Yeitch and Sons, and others. Their great value lies in their 
adaptability for greenhouse decoration ; and as a collection of tuberous-rooted Begonias 
is now almost as common in gardens as one of Zonal Pelargoniums, the dwarf types do 
well to make a front line to a stage on which they are arranged for display. Begonia 
Brilliant will, we think, be also found a useful subject for exhibition purposes. 
Plate 394. 
BARKERIA ELEGANS (CYCLOTELLA ?). 
On the 14tli of January this beautiful Orchid was exhibited by Mr. William Bull, 
King’s Road, Chelsea, under the name of Barkeria Cyclotella; and as such it was 
awarded a First-class Certificate of Merit at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural 
Society on that date. The Gardener's Chronicle of January 17th gave a description of 
the plant by Professor Reichenbach, and illustrated it with a woodcut of a flower taken 
from Mr. Bull’s plant. The following week it was stated, on the authority of Professor 
Reichenbach, that the woodcut did not resemble B. Cyclotella, but probably B. Elegans. 
It was a pardonable error, as the plant in question was exhibited and certificated as 
B. Cyclotella, and was pointed out as such by the exhibitor. 
Mr. Bull’s plant represents a charming Mexican Orchid, which, in general appearance, 
resembles the other cultivated species, but the flowers are considerably larger, and very 
distinct in colour. They measure two inches across ; the sepals are of a delicate blush 
hue, and the oval-shaped lip is of a brilliant violet-purple colour, broadly margined with 
white. The freckled column which lies on the upper surface of the lip also adds consider- 
ably to the beauty of the flowers. The genus Barkeria represents a small group of 
tropical Orchids, all very beautiful, and requiring to be grown upon blocks in the cool 
house. They are nearly allied to Epidendrum. 
