142 
CALCEOLARIAS FOR BEDDING. 
through the latter period, and being rather densely shaded in the 
former. To flower well, it must be grown fast and freely, after 
which its season of rest must be quite as decided. 
We have continued the popular name, Calla , because best 
known, though it is now some years since the species was re¬ 
moved from that genus. It is now called by botanists Richardia 
cBthiopica , a name given by Kunth in compliment to L. C. Richard, 
an eminent French botanist. It is a native of the Cape of Good 
Hope, whence it was introduced about 1730, and has ever since 
been a general favorite. It forces well, producing its large, 
sweet-scented flowers in heat, from November till the natural 
season ; and as an aquatic is equally beautiful. 
CALCEOLARIAS FOR BEDDING. 
It is matter of much regret that the once favorite class of 
Calceolarias, known as the shrubby kinds, should have been so 
generally neglected, as to become so destitute of variety, as is at 
present their condition. To the flower-gardener they are in¬ 
valuable, and, with but a portion of the care which has been 
bestowed upon their more fortunate rivals, the herbaceous varieties, 
would have been certainly not less interesting both for pot cul¬ 
ture and the open air. The superiority of the shrubby Calceo¬ 
larias over the herbaceous is found in the extra strength of their 
stems and flower-stalks. The great weight of the larger flowers 
of the latter class, acting on their slender and brittle stems, 
renders them particularly liable to injury from rains and heavy 
winds ; their appearance after a rough night is most miserable, nor 
can the utmost care prevent or recover them from such accidents. 
It is otherwise with the shrubby varieties ; they are capable of 
bearing up against the worst weather of our summers, and, from 
the number and brilliancy of their flowers, are among the most 
effective bedding plants we possess. It is strange, then, so 
desirable a class should have been suffered to fall into such a 
neglected state, and still more extraordinary will it be, with the 
existing acknowledgment on all hands of their very decided 
superiority for purposes of the kind, if within a few years the 
impulse now at work does not result in some active steps towards 
