BEGONIA NITIDA — SHINING BEGONIA. 
Class XXI. MONCECIA Order I. POLYANDRIA. 
Natural Order, BEGONIACEiE.* 
Character of the genus. Begonia. Flower monoecious. Staminiferous flowers with the perigone of 
four segments, the folioles roundish, the two exterior large. Stamens numerous; filaments very short, free or 
united at the base, anthers extrose, two-celled, cells linear,' distinct, adherent to the obtuse margin of the 
continuous connectivum, dehiscing longitudinally. Pistilliferous flowers having the tube of the perigone 
three-winged, united to the ovary, the limb superior, of from four to nine segments, the persistent lobes 
imbricated in several rows. Ovary inferior, three-celled. Ovules numerous, anatropous, attached to pla- 
centae, formed of two plates, springing from the central angles of the cells. Styles three, two-cleft ; stig- 
mata thick, flexuose or capitate. Capsule triangular, from three membranaceous wings, three-celled, 
splitting by a loculicidal dehiscence into three valves. Seeds numerous, small, striated. Embryo ortho- 
tropous, in the axis of a fleshy albumen. 
Description of the species. Begonia Nitida. Stem inclinedjo be. woody at the lower part, upper 
rather fleshy and succulent, round, branched, remarkably smooth, and, as well as the under surface of the 
leaves shining. Leaves alternate, petiolate, stipulate. Stipules sessile, oblong, acuminate, deciduous. 
Leaves somewhat fleshy, very smooth, persistent, very unequally cordate at the base, the one lobe being 
twice the size of the other, so that the leaf is very oblique, acute at the apex, margin irregularly and 
obscurely toothed, the young leaves pinkish at the margin, seven-nerved, nerves not very conspicuous on 
the upper, very distinct on the under surface, upper surface of a light green, under of a bright or pearly 
white (owing to great inequalities, of the surface.) Peduncles dichotomous, with opposite bracts under the 
forks, and at the pedicels; bracts semi-amplexicaul, ovate, erect, of a pinkish colour. Flowers 
monoecious. Staminiferous flowers placed lowest in the cyme, spreading, two external longer, 
opposite, roundish, inseparable from the pedicels, two internal smaller, attenuate at the base, narrower but 
not shorter than the external ones. Stamens numerous, short, erect; anthers oblong, erect, two-celled, 
yellow. Pistilliferous flowers at the top of the cyme. Perigone having the tube three-winged, two folioles 
in an outer whorl, five in a double series, of unequal dimensions. Ovary inferior or only semi-adherent. 
Styles three, short, divergent. Stigmata divided, large, spiral, pubescent, yellow. Capsule triangular, three- 
winged, wings unequal, the third being very long, three-celled. Seeds very numerous, small, brown, and 
very much pitted. 
Popular and geographical notice. This species of Begonia is a native of the mountains of 
Jamaica. The affinities of the order have been much discussed, without any satisfactory conclusion being formed. 
The analogy of properties is in favour of the Polygoniaceae. Begonia grandiflora and Begonia tomentosa have 
bitter astringent roots, which are used in Peru in haemorrhages and scorbutus, like Bistort with us. Begonia 
odorata and Begonia suaveolens are fragrant, like Pologonum odoratum. Rheum ribes yields in the East a 
cooling drink,a similar one is prepared in Brazil from several species of Begonia. Oxalate of potass is obtained 
from several species of Rumex, so likewise from many Begonias. Sundry Rumices are used as sorrels, and 
the leaves of this species are known in Jamaica, and those of Begonia obliqua in Martinique as the “Sorrel 
of the woods.” While in Brazil the leaves of Begonia ulmifolia, bidentata, spathulata, cucullata and 
hirtella, are all used as cooling salads ; lastly the root of Begonia obliqua is called “wild rhubarb.” 
It was brought to England in 1779- Our plant grew in the very fine collection of John Allcard, Esq. 
Stratford, near London. It grows in the conservatory, and is easily propagated by cuttings. 
In Hindostan, the god of love is known as Camdeo. There we may see the fair young child sur- 
rounded by gay laughter-loving nymphs. His mother never leaves him, — his spouse is Retty, the essence 
of affection, — and his bosom friend is Bessent, or Spring. The plains of Agra are his favourite resort. His 
bow is of sugar cane, twined with flowers ; his string with bees ; his five arrows are each pointed with an 
Indian flower. The Hindoo nymphs chant the following hymn to the Indian cupid: 
God of the flowery shafts, and flowery bow, 
Delight of all above and all below ! 
Thy loved companion, constant from his birth, 
Is ycleped Bessant, gay spring on earth, 
Weaves thy green robes and flaunting bowers, 
And from thy cloud draws balmy showers, 
He with fresh arrows fills thy quiver, 
(Sweet the gift, and sweet the giver,) 
* We are indebted for this description and figure to that delightful work “ the Botanist. - ’ 
