ACHIMENES. 
273 
ACHIMENES. 
WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 
Since 1841, the genus of which we write has risen in conse¬ 
quence beyond almost any other in the same period: the intro¬ 
duction of species which has taken place, though not great in 
number, has added to our collections several perfect gems of 
first-rate excellence, which, from their characteristic easy culture, 
rapid increase, and real worth, have become so widely distributed 
as to be present everywhere that the least regard is had to the 
growth of plants. 
In the year named the genus consisted of four species: the 
old A. coccinea , a native of Jamaica, known very generally since 
1778 ; in 1840, the two species rosea and pedunculata were in¬ 
troduced from Guatemala, the first possessing much of the habit 
of coccinea , but with larger rose-coloured flowers, and the latter 
distinguished by its tall growing stems, large hispid leaves, and 
bright red flowers. These were followed in 1841 by the uni¬ 
versally esteemed longijlora , also from Guatemala, and in 1842 
by grandifiora , closely allied to the last, having rosy-purple 
flowers and a stronger habit, from Mexico, together with the 
beautiful and delicate multiflora from Brazil. An accident also 
introduced, in the same year, the long-haired hirsuta , with dull 
red flowers, from Guatemala. 1843 witnessed the importation 
of picta from Mexico, a truly splendid species, with bright red 
and yellow spotted flowers, and banded foliage with the rich gloss 
and substance of velvet, the dark green of which is enlivened 
with broad bands of a paler colour, giving them the appearance 
of being variegated. The pretty little argyrostigma followed, 
from New Grenada, a very dwarf plant, whose leaves are a dark 
green, spotted over with clear white dots, and having numerous 
small purple flowers, produced on erect spikes. A garden va¬ 
riety, having the character of rosea, but ornamented with large, 
brilliant scarlet flowers, was also made known about the same 
time under the name of Beatonii; and in 1845, another, having 
the same origin, was produced, bearing the name of Lipmanni. 
This has an evident derivation from grandifiora , having flowers 
i. 23 
