



OF ORNAMENTAL EXOTIC PLANTS. 71 
There are numerous other species described in books, but these species have been so repeatedly hybridised, and 
the hybrids again crossed and recrossed with each other, that it is now very difficult to know which are original 
species, or even what the species were from which the most popular hybrids have been raised. 
HYBRID PELARGONIUMS. 
In Sweet's work on the Geraniace@, above three hundred hybrids are named, described, and figured; and as 
Sweet’s book was published above twenty years ago, there can be little doubt that as many more have been raised 
since that period; though, at the same time, there can be no doubt that many of those described by Sweet are now 
lost, and could not possibly be procured. In fact, as a continual succession of new kinds are produced, it is very 
seldom that any hybrid, however beautiful it may be, lasts longer than two or three seasons; and though there are 
some exceptions to the general rule, they are very few. P. macranthon, the Large-flowered White (see our jig. 1, 
in Pl. 16), is almost the only garden hybrid among all those named by Sweet which is still in general cultivation. 
The 
Sylph, which is somewhat older, and Sunrise (see our jig. 3, in Pl. 16), which was raised in 1842, were both intro- 
The Gem (see our jig. 2. in Pl. 16) and the Bridesmaid were raised about 1840, and they are still common. 
duced from Mr. Rendle’s Nursery, at Plymouth; Sunrise having been raised by Mr. Lyne, a gentleman residing 
in that neighbourhood. 
About the year 1845, some new kinds of hybrids were introduced of quite a different character to those which 
had been so long popular, and which have evidently for one of their parents some of those kinds which have all the 
petals alike. The most popular of these, Anais (see our jig. 4, in Pl. 16), is said to have been originated in France 
or Belgium. Another, called Queen Victoria, has the same general appearance, but the flowers are much lighter ; 
while others, called La Belle Africaine, and Statushii, are so very dark as to be almost black. It is probable that 
many handsome hybrids might be raised between P. tricolor and some of the other species and varieties. 
CHAPTER XXII. 
—_e—_ 
TROPHOLACEA Juss. 


Essentsat Cuaracter.—Calyx five-parted, coloured, superior seg- 
ment furnished with a free spur at the base; lobes sometimes free, 
sometimes joined together more or less, Petals five, inserted in the 
calyx, and alternating with its lobes, unequal, irregular; two superior 
ones sessile and remote, fixed in the mouth of the spur; three lower 
ones unguiculate, smaller, sometimes abortive. Stamens eight; fila- 
ments free, closely girding the ovary, inserted in the disk; anthers 
terminal, oblong, erect, two-celled, bursting by a double chink. Styles 
three, connected together into one, which is threc-furrowed. Carps]s 
three, adnate to the base of the style or axis of the fruit, one-celled, 
one-seeded. Seed large, without albumen, filling the cell, and con- 
forming to the cavity. Embryo large ; cotyledons two, straight, thick, 
younger ones distinct, but at length closely connected together, and 
also adhering to the spermoderm, but rather distinct at the base ; 
radicle lying within the process of the cotyledons, bearing four tubercles, 
which at length become radicles. (G. Don.) 
Description, &c.—All the plants belonging to this order are natives of South America; they are, indeed, all, 
excepting one, belonging to the genus Tropeolum. They are all very ornamental, and most of them may be grown 
in the open air during the summer months. 



