204 
THE LADIES’ FLOWER-GARDEN 
A. PICTA Benth. 
This is certainly one of the most beautiful species of the genus, as the flowers, which are of a brilliant scarlet 
in the upper part, are yellow below and beautifully streaked and spotted. The leaves are also very beautifully 
marked with a paler green upon a rich dark green. The species is a native of Mexico, whence it was introduced 
in 1846. It is most nearly allied to A. pedunculata, and, like that species, it seems very nearly allied to the 
Gesneras. It likewise requires rather more warmth. 
A. SKINNERI Lindl. 
This is a handsome species, forming a link between the tall and the dwarf kinds, and its flowers being exactly 
intermediate between A. grandiflora and A. hirsuta. It was introduced from Guatemala in 1847. 
A. PYROP./EA Lindl. 
This has small ruby-coloured flowers, which are produced in great abundance, and which are very ornamental. 
There are many other species, some of which, such as A. grandiflora, A. hirsuta, and A. multiflora, are very 
beautiful, but they require to be kept in a stove. 
GENUS II. 
AMPHICOME Rotjle. THE AMPHICOME. 
Lin. Syst. DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. 
Generic Character. — Calyx tubular, five-toothed. Corolla tubular, ventricose near the base ; limb five-lobed, ciliated. Stamens four, didy- 
namous, with the rudiment of a fifth. Stigma bilamellate. Capsule silique-formed. Seeds rvinged at both ends, and bearded. (G. Bon.') 
Description, &c. — Only one species of this genus has as yet been introduced. The name of Amphicome is 
from two Greek words, signifying hair on both sides, in allusion to the seeds being bearded at both ends. 
1.— AMPHICOME ARGUTA Boyle. THE FINELY-CUT AMPHICOME. 
Synonyme. — Incarvillea arguta R. Br. 
Engravings. — Bot. Reg. for 1838, t, 19 ; Paxton’s Mag. of Bot., 
vol. vi., p. 79 ; and our fig. 5, in PI. 41. 
Specific Character. — Leaflets opposite, on short petioles, three or 
four pairs, lanceolate, acuminate, unequal at the base, dentately 
serrated. (G. Don.) 
Description, &c. — This is a very elegant little shrub, a native of the Himalayas, where it was found growing 
at an elevation of from six to eight thousand feet. Seeds of it were sent home by Professor Royle in 1836, and 
from these one single plant was raised, which blossomed in the Horticultural Society’s Garden in August 1837. 
The flowers were succeeded by long elegant seed pods, in which abundance of seed was ripened, and the plant has 
now become comparatively common. The botanical construction of this plant is very curious, particularly in the 
anthers, which appear to be clinging round the style, and which have a horn on each lobe, and another on the 
connective or part between the lobes. The seed pods are remarkably long and slender. The plant is a perennial, 
and does not flower till the second year. The flowers appear from June till September. The plant may be called 
half hardy, as it only requires to be protected from severe frosts ; but it is veiy impatient of wet even in summer, 
and requires to be kept particularly dry during winter. 
