274 
ACHIMENES. 
somewhat smaller, and possessing a shade more of purple, which, 
with a regard to the habit of the plant, seem to point to longi- 
jiora as its other parent. 
The present year has made us acquainted with another Mexican 
species, at least equal to the best previously known. This is the 
A. patens, represented in our accompanying plate, It is one 
which, notwithstanding the great favour in which its predecessors 
are held, is calculated, if not to supplant some, at least to be 
always included where any are grown. Its habit is dwarf, com¬ 
pact, and most profuse of flowers, and it is equally robust and as 
easily cultivated as the most common. The gardening world 
has incurred a considerable obligation to the Horticultural Society 
of London, had they never introduced finer plants than this and 
its congener, A. longiflora. Nor must the exertions of Mr. Pur die, 
late collector to the Royal Gardens of Kew, be overlooked in the 
award of praise for extending our knowledge of these lovely 
plants. To him we are indebted for many handsome individuals 
belonging to the same order, which now grace the truly national 
collection at Kew. 
In a cultural view, Achimenes form part of a class which may 
be termed intermediate plants, their management partaking both 
of stove and greenhouse treatment. In a natural position, they 
are, from the characters of the countries they inhabit, subject to 
very great changes of atmospheric influences: at certain times a 
high temperature and the presence of an abundance of moisture 
excite them to an active development, which is followed by an 
interval of scorching dry weather, sufficient to reduce their tender 
succulent stems and leaves to an impalpable powder, and calcu¬ 
lated to entirely annihilate such fragile forms, but for an ad¬ 
mirable provision in their organization. On the approach of 
the dry season, the vitality of the plant retires to the underground 
receptacle provided for it, in the shape of numerous scaly bulbs, 
which, after maturit y, separate from the parent stem, and become 
distinct individuals, containing within them the rudimental pro¬ 
perties of the future plant, which, on the return of genial in¬ 
fluences, are developed, to form, in their turn, other offsprings, 
and again fade. 
These bulbs should be taken at an early period of the spring 
and placed in shallow pans, with a little sandy soil sprinkled 
