BEGONIA PRESTON IENSIS. 
149 
C ^PHIOGLOSSUM, linnceus .—Name derived from ophis, a serpent, and glossa , a tongue; from the spike of 
) fructification somewhat resembling the tongue of a serpent. 
Spore-cases sessile, roundish, coriaceous, unilocular, opaque, bivalved, 
opening transversely, arranged in two parallel rows, forming a simple, 
compact, pedicellate, connate spike. Sterile portion spreading, ovate-lanceo¬ 
late, and usually shorter than the fertile portion. Venation uniform, 
reticulated, forming elongated areoles. Fronds stipitate, simple, from a 
few inches to about a foot high, ovate-lanceolate, or linear and forked.— 
All the exotic species belonging to this genus, which is rather extensive, 
remain to be introduced; they are terrestrial or epiphytal, and have a 
very extensive geographical range, one species only being found in Britain- 
Fig. 97 represents a frond of 0. vulgatum (nat. size), with a fertile portion 
(magn). 
1. 0. vulgatum, Linnaeus.—A deciduous hardy species, indigenous to 
Britain, also common in Europe, and said to be found in Africa and 
North America. Fronds simple, glabrous, solitary, from three inches to 
a foot long, of a deep green; sterile portion entire, ovate-lanceolate, 
obtuse ; fertile linear, pedicellate, erect, forming a cauline spike. Fronds 
terminal. Rhizome with thick roots. 
The cultivation of the Ophioglossum has been often thought to be 
difficult. The plant has, indeed, a peculiar mode of growth; one or 
more of the stiff coarse fibres, which appear like a spreading tuft of 
roots, becoming a runner, and organizing a bud at its extremity, from 
which a young plant is produced. These root-fibres, with their matured 
buds, should be taken up just as the foliage is decaying, and so care¬ 
fully that they may not be at all broken; and they may then be trans¬ 
planted with success. They like a close, heavy, loamy soil, rather damp 
than otherwise, and potted in rich soil, and kept in a cold close frame. 
We have had them succeed well in the atmosphere of London. In 
the out-door fernery they must be planted in a similar soil, and the 
situation must be one that is not liable to become much affected by 
drought. 
The Botrychiums are very similar to the Ophioglossums in their habit 
of growth ; and we have succeeded in cultivating them on a similar 
plant. Only, instead of a heavy loamy soil, we find them flourish best 
Fig. 97. in soft, unctuous, peaty soil, not too retentive of moisture. They do not 
like to be kept quite so moist as the Ophioglossums. 
BEGONIA PBESTOKIEKSIS* 
T HE original species of Begonia which have found their way into our gardens, furnish a group of 
plants which have generally had many admirers, on account either of the brilliant colour and 
profusion of their flowers, or their singular and elegant foliage, or of some peculiar and grotesque 
habit of growth; or perhaps, above all, by reason of the facility with which they are cultivated in a 
moderately warm temperature. Latterly the skill of cultivators has called into existence some hybrid 
forms, which, uniting the desirable qualities of more than one species, are so much more desirable, in 
an ornamental point of view, than either parent, and indicate the probability of Begonias soon 
becoming as popular as Achimenas and Gloxinias have already become. Our present subject is 
one of these hybrids, and one which justifies such anticipations. It was raised in the garden of 
E. L. Betts, Esq., of Preston Hall, near Aylesford, in Kent; and Mr. T. Frost, Mr. Betts’s gardener, 
states that it was obtained by crossing B. cinnabarina with B. nitida,\ which latter has imparted to it 
• B. (Diploclinium) prestoniensis (hyb : Q cinnabarina, $ nitida) ; stems branched flexuose; leaves obliquely ovate-acumi¬ 
nate, sinuate-lobed, doubly serrate, with scattered hairs on the upper surface and on the ribs beneath; stipules triangular-lanceo¬ 
late ; flowers in trichotomous axillary cymes, pedicles longer than the leaves, bracts ovate, sharply toothed; male flowers four- 
petalled, female five-petalled; ovary roundish triquetrous, two of the angles very narrowly winged, the third with a large triangular 
projecting wing; placentas “double.” (? 9 rubra, $ cinnabarina.)— M. 
+ It has been suggested to us, that this Begonia is not a seedling from cinnabarina, but from rubra, fertilized with that 
species; and this origin appears by no means improbable. It is possible the raiser’s memoranda may have been in confusion. 
