February 27. 1904. 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
181 
Griffinia hyacinthia. 
The flowers of all the Griffin ialsi are of some shade of lilac 
or blue, and possibly that under notice is the best, of all of 
them, both in respect, to size and colour. This genus is re¬ 
markable amongst its allies in having very broad leaves similar 
to those of a Eucharis, and therefore very different from the 
strap-shaped leaves of its near allies 1 , such as Cyrtanthus, Yal- 
lota, Hippeastrum, Olivia, etc. 
The flowers are produced in umbels of six to ten blooms, the 
outer of which are the first to expand, while the central ones 
give a succession. A very striking feature of the flower isi its 
irregularity, five of the segments being directed upwards, while 
the sixth stands away by itself ; and as the flowers bend away 
from the centre horizontally, this solitary segment is -evidently 
intended as ai landing-stage for insects on the wing, judging 
from the situation of the stamens and style in relation to this 
lip-like organ. The tube of the flower is extremely short, but 
the segment-sin well-grown specimens are 2 in, long. 
These flowers are produced in advance of the leaves, which 
number four or five, with an oblong blade 6 in. to 9 in. in 
length, and a channelled foot-stalk the same length. The plant 
would be much more highly valued, no doubt, if the leaves 
were to accompany the flowers, but. this deficiency can easily 
be obviated or masked by standing it amongst some other 
subjects, whether flowering or merely foliage 
plants. 
The species is a, native of Brazil, from whence 
it was introduced in 1815. Besides its proper 
name here given, it was also named Amaryllis 
in those early times:, but the plant, is distinct in 
many botanical respects from Amaryllis. In 
the genus Hippeastrum, which is usually named 
Amaryllis in gardens, we have what is known as 
the blue-flowered Amaryllis in Hippeastrum pro- 
cerum, the flowers of which closely resemble 
those of the Griffinia under notice. Coming as it 
does from Brazil, something approaching a stove 
temperature would be necessary for its well¬ 
being. It blooms in October or November. The 
plant from which our illustration was taken was 
exhibited at a meeting of the R.H.S. by Mr. Ed. 
Kromer, Bandon Hill, Croydon. 
recommend it. The latter-named variety has the leaves much 
more deeply divided, and the segments or leaflets very much 
narrower. This variety, however, is very variable, and all 
intermediate forms between it and the type have been ob¬ 
served. It was introduced to this country by M. Tlioun in 
1783, and a very good form of the variety was at one time 
grown in the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society at 
Chiswick. The specimen shown at the Drill Hall meeting of 
the R.H.S., on the 9th inst., by Messrs. George Jackman and 
Son, Woking, was the typical form, and even that is variable 
to some extent. In this case the leaves were divided into three 
leaflets, each of which was triangular, and more or less cut. 
In some cases the leaves are undivided. The .species produces 
such a. wealth of its dark green leaves that it might be valued 
for the sake of its foliage alone in winter. The flowers are 
about 1 in. in diameter. 
The Use of Cyanide. 
In an article on the use of hydrocyanic acid gas for fumigat¬ 
ing, “ W. S.” gives, page 318, issue: for January 7th, the follow¬ 
ing formula and directions: 1 quart sulphuric acid, 1 quart 
water, 5 oz. cyanide of potassium, 
Clematis cirrhosa. 
The above species is a native of Spain and 
the- Balearic Isles, from whence it was introduced 
in, 1596. In this country it flowers during 
! winter, say -from the end of December to the 
middle or end of April, depending- upon the con¬ 
dition of the weather. Provided it, were, a, mild 
winter, the flowers would become expanded early, 
and under frosty weather they would be held back. It, is 
valued for its mass of evergreen leaves 1 , and is very serviceable 
T for clothing walls with a southern aspect. In its native 
country it climbs to the tops of trees and overwhelms them, like 
G Vitalba in this country. Here, however, it is much less 
rampant, the climate being- a certain check upon it, and, not 
beang particularly vigorous, it derives advantage: from the 
shelter of a wall. The fact of the leaves being evergreen would 
: n mi 6 a mor€l delicatei than it otherwise would be. 
the flowers are yellowish-white or greenish-white, and more 
or less spotted with purple on the face. They are similar in 
size to those of our native Clematis, but the sepals are of a 
liferent shape, and rather wider. Owing to its flowering in 
bel gl '°' wn to advantage in pots', as it can then 
oe placed m the greenhouse or conservatory, or used in any 
• ?* wa J. w 1( 1 1 ma 7 be* considered desirable. In veiy severe 
lishrtT ^ pant f couId be indoors, and well-estab¬ 
lished specimens thus protected against injuiy. 
thhZJT etie& ha T a *L one time or ofche,r b een introduced to 
The fir 17 ^? 6 7, P C - pedicellata and C. c. august,ifolia. 
e hist named has only some small botanical distinctions to 
Griffinia hyacinthina : Flowers flue. 
Mix the acid and water in a tw oxgall on butter jar. When 
your jars are all in place, walk along and drop in the 5-o-z. 
parcels of cyanide. Do not linger over the jar, because the 
fumes are not healthy for anything that has lungs. The above 
quantities are for 2,000 cubic feet of air space in the house. 
Keep the house closed all night. 
Commenting on this, Albert F. Woods, pathologist to the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, writes: — 
“ In houses with not more than two paths, or where not 
more than two or three sets of jars-, two or three in each 
set, are required, it is possible, to put the cyanide in the jars 
in the manner described. The dose for each jar should he 
carefully wrapped, however, in two thicknesses o-f ordinary 
newspaper, or may he put, in a, small paper sack. It takes 
the acid about, half a minute to eat through the paper and 
attack the potassium cyanide. If one operator works on each 
line, of jars, and they will start at the same end of the house 
and come out, at the other end, this, method may be safely 
used.” 
There seems to be an implication in the statement of 
“ W. S.” that he is not much afraid of this gag. He-says:- 
