MAT. 
109 
Maranta splendida , discovered three or four years ago by M. Baraquin in 
the Province of Para, in Brazil, and by him sent to M. A. Verschaffelt, of 
Ghent. The leaves are of very dark shining green on the upper side, marked 
with broad oblong bands, pale green, or slightly tinged with yellow, and extend¬ 
ing from the midrib towards the margin, which, however, they never quite reach. 
These bands vary in length and breadth, but are always broadly obtuse at their 
termination towards the margin. The under side is of a uniform violet purple. 
A fine addition to ornamental-foliaged plants, resembling Calathea Veitchii in 
its general character. 
Bignonia argyreo-violascens. —A good representation of this pretty plant, 
which has been frequently exhibited at recent Shows. 
Dieffenbachia gigantea. —A double plate, giving the foliage on a scale of 
nearly one-fourth the natural size at present attained. The largest plants in 
M. Verschaffelt’s stoves have stems upwards of 4£ feet in height and a foot in 
circumference, with leaves from 2^ to 3 feet in length, and heads measuring 
from 7 to 9 feet round; and yet these are far from having acquired their full 
size. The leaves, and the leafstalks as well, being marked with numerous 
conspicuous white blotches, such plants must, as the editor remarks, have an 
admirable effect in a stove. 
Comparettia cocciheci , not by any means a new plant, having been described 
by Lindley in the “ Botanical Register ” many years ago, but still rare. 
Camellia Clodia, supposed to be of Italian origin. Flowers very large, the 
petals imbricated, bright rose with a scarlet tinge, veined with rose, and having 
an occasional stripe of white. 
The Floral Magazine for March has for its first plate Sphacele carulea , 
a softwooded plant, belonging to the natural order Labiatae, bearing numerous 
spikes of lavender-blue flowers in a warm greenhouse in winter. It is in the 
hands of Mr. Bull. 
The second plate is a representation of Nerine Fothergillii , figured “ not as 
a novelty, but as an interesting decorative plant, which ought to receive more 
attention than it has met with.” 
The third plate has for its subject Maranta roseo-picta, the leaves of which 
are “ of a beautiful rich glossy green. The midrib is of a lovely rose colour, 
and two irregular bands of the same colour run up each side of the leaf, mid¬ 
way between the midrib and edge.” It was discovered in October, 1864, in 
the regions of the High Amazon, betweeen Loreta and Iquitos, by Mr. Wallis, 
the collector for M. Linden, of Brussels. 
The fourth plate is a group of Pompon Chrysanthemums , consisting ot 
Fairy Nymph , a full-sized white ; Rose d’Amour, clear rose, the base of the 
“petals” white; and Torfrida , bright golden amber, very full and rich in 
colour. They are sent out by Mr. Salter. 
The April Number of the same publication contains plates of 
Epiphyllum truncatum tricolor or elegans (we are left in doubt which is 
its name, for the letter-press gives both), one of the numerous continental 
varieties, having orange scarlet and purple flowers. 
Pelargonium peltatum elegans , an Ivy-leaved variety, with delicate pink 
flowers, described as being larger than in the ordinary varieties of the same sec¬ 
tion, and forming a better truss. It is in the hands of Messrs. E. G. Henderson. 
Maranta illustris, discovered at the same time as Maranta roseo-picta, and 
in the same district of Ecuador. The leaves are of a bright green, marked 
by transverse bands of a deeper shade of green, sometimes reaching down to 
the midrib, which is of a pale rose. Two irregular zigzag bands of yellowish 
white extend on each side of the leaf from the base to near the apex. The 
under side of the leaf is of a uniform purplish maroon. 
