THE GENUS FRANCISCEA. 
169 
THE GENUS FRANCISCEA. 
WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 
The genus selected as the subject of the present paper, is one 
which we believe to have been most inconsiderately neglected in 
favour of mere novelty; there is a fashion in floriculture, as in 
the most absurd frivolities, which, unchecked, leads its votaries 
into a species of delirium, the unequivocal symptoms of which 
are an insatiable desire to possess every new thing, without regard 
to any other qualification. Now, though we desire as ardently 
as any of these enthusiasts to witness the increase of variety and 
extension of the means to make the science interesting, in fact, 
make it our chief occupation to search for these means, we can¬ 
not agree with the sweeping measures of extinction too frequently 
put in force, by which often a well-known ornamental object is 
exchanged for one of equivocal character : and with every desire 
to assist in the spread of novelty possessing well-founded claims 
to the distinction it aims at, we are equally anxious to see 
the really beautiful maintain the position they are justly entitled 
to, without depreciation from their more ephemeral rivals. With 
this feeling, we determined on the notice of the interesting genus 
to which the subject of our plate belongs, and are confident of 
its pleasing wherever adopted. 
Franciscea is a genus of dwarf tropical shrubs, numbering- 
only five or six species, as at present constituted, all of which 
have pleasing blue and white flowers, copiously produced, and 
for the most part distinguished by an agreeable perfume; the 
plants have handsome deep green ample foliage, and under good 
management readily assume a very ornamental aspect, especially 
when spangled over with their lovely changing flowers, emitting 
the most delicious fragrance, and thus gratifying two senses at 
once. Their natural period of blooming is in the winter and 
spring seasons, and this alone should render them favourites, 
but they may be had in this state at almost any time, and are 
equally desirable in summer as in winter. 
Some difference appears to exist in the opinions of botanists 
as regards the limits of this genus, and an allied one called 
ii. 15 
