^J 230 TICTOKIA KEGIA. I'p 
d 
■was then conveyed by a syphon into the one helow, in which the Victoria in a pot was placed, and 
which was plunged in a bark bed. From this the water was conveyed by a pipe into the third and 
lowest tub, from which it was returned into the upper one, again to foUow the same com'se of cu'cula- 
tion. Under this treatment, the plant soon became too large for its original pot, and in about two 
weeks it was shifted into one of a much larger size ; and, continuing rapidly to increase its dimensions, 
it was removed into a wicker basket about two and a-half feet in diameter by two feet deep. About 
the same time the size of the tub was enlarged by fixing sheet lead to the upper part of it, and dressing 
it out into a superficies of six feet square, and about three inches deep at the sides, thus allo'«-ing room 
for the increased length of the leaf-stalks. In this situation it remained, producing a succession of 
healthy leaves, until January 5, 1850. It was then removed into a low -roofed lean-to house, in which 
Mr. Beck had been ordered to prepare a slate tank for its reception, twenty-two feet long by twelve 
feet wide, and an-anged in the following manner : — the central portion was made two feet six inches 
deep for the reception of the soil ; the remaining part, over which the leaves were to expand, was only 
one foot deep, which has been found amply sufficient. At one end, and elevated above it, is placed a 
cistern thi'ough which pass two two-inch hot water pipes, connected with a single one of the same 
size descending fi-om it and continued all round the shallow part of the large tank below, whilst the 
centre and deeper part is heated by a fom--inch pipe passing entu'ely round it. These pipes are all 
connected with a boiler, which heated the building before it was appUed to its present pui'pose. 
" That this may be clearly understood I will enter a little more into detail : — A large reservoir 
receives all the rain water which falls on the glass erections in this part of the gai'dens. From thence 
it is pumped up into a cistern which suppUes the smallest one placed above the tank in which the 
plant is gi'owing ; thence, passing thi-oiigh a cock, it falls upon a small wheel which, revolving gently, 
agitates the water, and this, flowing towards a waste pipe, again iinds its way into the reservoir, from 
which it originally came — thus keeping up a continued and healthy circulation. The water is kept at 
an equable temperature of about So degrees Fah. by the hot water pipes ai'ranged as before described. 
" The soil in which the Victoria was planted consisted of tlu'ce cart loads of good old tm-fy loam, 
which had lain in heap for two or three years. Previously to placing it in the tank, six inches of 
broken brick-bats were laid on the bottom, and covered with tmwes of peat. On these the soil was 
i laid in a conical forai, rising to within six inches of the surface of the water, and in the centre of this 
the Victoria was planted. For three weeks after its removal into its new home there was scarcely a 
sunny day ; indeed it was generally very foggy weather ; and during this time it only existed, making 
no apparent progress. The weather then changed, and it immediately showed evident symptoms of 
growth. On February 1, I discovered on the surface of the soil several white roots, unmistakeable 
evidences of health under water ; on the thii'd it produced its first healthy leaf since its removal ; by 
the tenth this was ten inches in diameter ; at the end of the month seven leaves were formed, the 
largest of which was sixteen inches in diameter ; dm-ing March it added nine other leaves, the diameter 
of the largest being nearly four feet. On April 1, I discovered the first flower bud, and on the 10th 
the flower began to open. It first opened about five o'clock P.M., continued open aU night, and closed 
about ten A.M. on the following day. On that day (April 11) it began to open about two o'clock, p.m., 
having gone through its various stages, reached its full expansion about six, when it was at its greatest 
beauty ; it continued thus for about four- hours, when it began finally to close preparatory to seeding. 
On the thfrd morning the remains of the flower were partly under water, and gradually sank lower, 
but the flower stalk continued to lengthen for some time afterwards. 
" I may here observe that, on the morning of the day on which the flower first expanded, the bud was 
seen to move itself as far as possible in one direction, then back again in a semi-circle, and finally raised 
itself out of the water to rest and expand upon the young leaf, mth which it was produced. Just 
before opening, and dming the whole of the first night, the flower is very fragrant, — the perfume 
being that of the Pine apple ; this odour is distinctly perceptible outside the house. 
" At the present time (May 6) the tenth flower is expanded ; it is twelve inches in diameter. I find 
that each succeeding flower increases in size. There are now four more flower -buds ^■isible ; in fact, 
with every young leaf, comes its attendant flower-bud. Since the 10th of April the Victoria has been 
in flower for two successive days, missing the following one, with very httle variation. The largest 
leaf is now five feet in diameter, with an inch and a-half of its edge tm-ned neatly up, and forming a 
beautiful rim ; the under surface being of a pm-pUsh red colour, and contrasting well with the deep 
green of the upper portion. The formation of the under side of the leaves is very beautiful ; the large 
veins near the centre are about two inches deep, gradually shallower towards the edge, and connected 
with each other by means of smaller ones, altogether forming a strong network, the whole being ai-med ^ 
^ 11 . with powerful spines. m-i 
