10 
TUE FLORIST. 
and our bouquets lose much of that variety which is their greatest charm. 
We need offer no apology, therefore, for introducing to our readers three 
more plants belonging to this order ; and if they have to a certain extent 
the fault we have attributed to their allies, they have also all the good 
qualities we have pointed out. 
Beloperone violacea produces dense heads of flowers at the points of 
the shoots and in the axils of the upper leaves. It only opens two or 
three flowers at a time, and so the plant continues in bloom for a con¬ 
siderable time. The individual flowers are not much unlike those 
of Justicia speciosa; they are gaping with a broad three-lobed lip, 
which is of a violet purple colour with a double row of minute pure 
white lines along the centre. This plant is a native of tropical America, 
and was introduced by M. Linden, the enterprising Director of the 
Royal Zoological and Horticultural Garden of Brussels, whom we are 
indebted for so many valuable new plants. 
Stephanophysum Baikiei flowers most profusely. It produces large 
panicles of rich crimson inflated tubular flowers, each more than an 
inch in length, at the points of the branches; when these are cut the 
upper leaves produce panicles almost as large, and it will continue in 
flower in this way down almost to the surface of the soil. This plant 
was discovered by the ISiger Exhibition, and was one of the last things 
sent to this country by poor Barter, the Botanist, who fell a victim to 
the climate ; it is named after the Commander of the Expedition, Dr. 
Baikie. It is a most useful and desirable plant; we have few such 
bright coloured, free flowering things in winter. Old plants flower much 
better than young ones. 
Dipteracanthus Herbstii has foliage prettily marked with white along 
the principal veins (as in Aphelandra citrina squarrosa) while in a 
young state, but it generally loses this charm before it is large enough 
to bloom. The flowers have a long slender tube, which makes a sharp 
bend and then the upper portion becomes suddenly inflated. They are 
sessile and produced in dense terminal and axillary fascicles. The 
colour is a very delicate pink outside, while the inside of the tube is 
almost white with a distinct pink line up each division of the limb. It 
was named in honour of M. Herbst, of the firm of Herbst and Rossiter, 
Nurserymen, of Rio de Janeiro, by whom we believe it was first sent to 
the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. All three of these plants are very 
easy of cultivation, and will soon become general favourites. 
Delta. 
PLUMBAGO ROSEA AND ITS BRETHREN. 
As a class gardeners must be acknowledged to be most ungrateful. 
Without the slightest compunction they show the cold shoulder to our 
oldest and best of vegetable friends, although they may have served well 
and truly for years, as soon as a new acquaintance springs up, which is 
(or, what is too often the same thing, is said to be) a little better 
looking than our old ones. And these, in like manner, we throw on 
one side, to be replaced by the next new comers. Sometimes, it is true. 
