of the leaves, shining. Leaves alternate, petiolate, stipulate. Sti¬ 
pules sessile, oblong, acuminate, deciduous. Leaves somewhat 
fleshy, vei7 smooth, persistent, very unequally cordate at the base, the 
one lobe being twice the size of the other, so that the leaf is very 
oblique, acute at the apex, margin irregularly and obscurely toothed, 
the young leaves pinkish at the margin, seven-nerved, nerves not very 
conspicuous on the upper, very distinct on the under surface, upper 
surface of a light green, under of a bright or pearly white (owing to 
great inequalities, of the surface). Peduncles dichotomous, with 
opposite bracts under the forks, and at the pedicels; bracts semiam- 
plexicaul, ovate, erect, of a pinkish colour. Flowers monoecious. 
Staminiferous Flowers placed lowest in the cyme, spreading, two 
external longer, opposite, roundish, inseparable from the pedicels, tw'o 
internal smaller, attenuate at the base, narrower but not shorter than 
the external ones. Stamens numerous, short, erect; anthers oblong, 
erect, two-celled, yellow. Pistilliferous Flowers at the top of 
the cyme. Perigone having the tube three-winged, two folioles in 
an outer whorl, five in a double series, of unequal dimensions. Ovary 
inferior or only semi-adherent. Styles three, short, divergent. 
Stigmata divided, large, spiral, pubescent, yellow. Capsule trian¬ 
gular, three-winged, wings unequal, the third being very long, three- 
celled. Seeds very numerous, small, brown, and very much pitted. 
Popular and Geographical Notice, This species of Begonia 
is a native of the mountains of Jamaica. The geographical destri- 
bution has already been given (Botanist, vol. in,t. 103, and V, t.217). 
The affinities of the order have also been discussed, without any satis¬ 
factory conclusion being formed. The analogy of properties is in 
favour of the Polygoniacese. Begonia grandiflora and Begonia tomen- 
tosa have bitter astringent roots, which are used in Peru in hsemorrh- 
ages and scorbutus, like Bistort wuth us. Begonia odorata and Begonia 
suaveolens are fragrant, like Polygonum odoratum. Rheum ribes 
yields in the East a cooling drink, a similar one is prepared in Brazil 
from several species of Begonia. Oxalate of potass is obtained from 
several species of Rumex, so likewise from many Begonias. Sundry 
Rumices are used as sorrels, and the leaves of this species are knowm 
in Jamaica, and those of Begonia obliqua in Martinique as the Sor¬ 
rel of the woods.” While in Brazil the leaves of Begonia ulmifolia, 
bidentata, spathulata, cucullata, and hirtella, are all used as cooling 
salads; lastly the root of Begonia obliqua is called “ wild rhubarb . 
Introduction ; Where grown; Culture. Brought to England 
in 1779. Our plant grew in the very fine collection of John Allcard, 
Esq., Stratford, near London, to whose courtesy we are much indebted. 
It grows in the conservatory, and is easily propagated by cuttings. 
SVNONYMES. 
BegoniaN iTiDA. Hortus Kewensis. 
-OBLIQUA. Heretier, Sterpes Novae. 
