all reflexed, three o f them ovate, the others lanceolate. Nectariferous tube unequal in length, from 3 to 4 times
as long as the calyx, flattened on both sides, and thickly
clothed with spreading hairs. Petals 5, all broadly wedge-
shaped, at first spreading, afterwards reflexed, o f a dark
velvetty purple, edged w ith light purple, upper ones about
h alf as broad again as the lower ones, and lighter at the
base. Filaments 10, united into a short tube, 6 only bearing
anthers, which are very imperfect, besides those is a very
broad spathulate one, as in the others o f the section; it
therefore belongs to the section Mono s p a t a l l a , and not
to P o l y a c t ium , as m ight be supposed from its habit. Style
quite sm ooth and naked. Stigmas 5, reflexed.
The present curious plant is of hybrid origin, and was
raised at the Nursery of Mr. Colvill, tiradiatum, from a seed of P. mul- that had been fertilized by the pollen of P. triste, and it is as near as possible intermediate between
the two ; the habit of the plant partakes chiefly after the
former parent, but the character of the flowers is precisely
that of the latter; like both of its parents, the flowers are
sweet-scented at night, but without scent during the day;
this, as well as the other succulent and tuberous-rooted
sorts, succeeds well in an equal mixture of light turfy loam,
peat,’ and sand, and is readily increased by the tubers from
its roots ; those must be planted with their points above the
surface of the mould, and should have no water given them
before the wound is dried over; they may afterwards be
watered regularly when dry, and they will soon make nice
young plants.
SMS