FLOWER OF TICTOBIA BEGIA, AS ON FIRST DAY OF EXPANSION. 
observed en the 1st of November, it was partially expanded on the 8th, and folly and finally on the 
9th. By this time thirty-one additional leaves had been produced, the largest of which measured four 
feet ten and three-quarter inches in diameter. Some of the more vigorous leaves are, at particular stages 
of their growth, recorded to have increased in diameter at the remarkable rate of sixteen or eighteen 
inches within twenty-foui' houi's. The lai'gest flower produced on the Chatsworth plant, in the autumn, 
was ten and a-half inches in diameter. From this plant ripe and perfect seeds were obtained early in 
December. Some self-sown seedlings were observed about the middle of the February following, and 
a considerable number of young seedling plants were raised shortly after; the old plant, in the 
meantime, though restiag in winter, continuing in perfect health, and progressing rapidly in growth, 
with the advancing spring, thus appai-ently setting at rest the question which had been raised, as to 
whether the species was annual or perennial. The rapidity with which its growth had been matured, 
and its seeds perfected, gave rise to the opinion that it was but of annual duration, which notion 
obtained apparent confirmation in the fact of the decay of almost all the other imbloomed plants that 
had been raised, on the approach of winter. On the other hand, an account of its being successfully 
transplanted at George Town, in Demerara, and the description given of the rootstock, or trunk, 
by collectors, led to the hope of its being perennial ; whilst Mr. Bridges, who sent the earhest seeds 
which reached England, spoke of it as decidedly perennial. The continued growth of the Chatsworth 
plant, after flowering and seeding, maybe taken as nearly conclusive evidence of the latter. This plant 
continued to bloom through the winter, but the flowers produced on the return of spring have proved 
to be larger than those which were developed in the preceding autrmm. The largest flower produced 
at Chatsworth, of which we have any record, was thirteen inches in diameter. 
The m-banity and liberality of his Grace the Duke of Northumberland, in whose princely gardens, 
at Syon House, the second flowering example of the Victoria has been reared, have enabled us to 
lay before our readers the present series of drawings of this truly Royal plant. The sketches 
represent the remarkably diversified stages through which the flowers pass, during the two days on 
which each is expanded. The two wood engravings show the appearance of the flowers as seen on 
the first day of expansion, and at one of the earlier stages of expansion on the second day. The 
i^-'- — s\g 
