1883.] 
BEGONIA DISCOLOR-SEX, 
119 
DIEFFENBACHIA EEGINA. 
native of South America, and really a desira¬ 
ble addition to the shrubby group of Araceous 
stove plants. We are indebted to Mr. W. 
Bull, by whom it was introduced, for the use 
of the accompanying illustration.—T. Moore. 
BEGONIA DISCOLOR-REX. 
NE of the races of Hybrid Begonias which 
we owe to the well-directed work of the 
florist is that which bears the name 
above quoted. It comes from the 
crossing of the well-known B. Bex, a dwarf 
tuberous kind with beautifully variegated leaves, 
with B. discolor , an equally well-known kind, 
also known as B. Evansiana, which has tuber¬ 
ous roots, tall annual stems, and a profusion 
of pink flowers of a showy character. The 
hybrids combine handsome foliage with hand¬ 
some flowers. They were originated some two 
or three years since by M. G. Bruant, of 
Poictiers, and there appears to be considerable 
diversity amongst the varieties. 
M. Bruant points out in his recent cata¬ 
logue the treatment which is best adapted 
to secure success in the cultivation of these 
novelties, and it may be useful to gather up 
the substance of his instructions. He says :— 
“ These plants thrive if planted in peat soil, 
and may be grown in the greenhouse, or in 
frames, or in a favourable exposure outside 
during summer. Under these conditions, they 
attain in a short time considerable dimensions. 
Our two-year-old specimens are from 1G in. 
to 24 in. in height, with a nearly equal 
breadth ; the tufts having a circumference of 
about G^ ft. The plants were grown in the 
open air in summer, in an open shady situa¬ 
tion, sheltered only by raised frames. 
“During the winter these Begonias can either 
be kept in growth in a heated house, or put 
away entirely at rest in a dry place. It is 
preferable to grow on during the winter the 
young plants obtained by multiplications, and 
