colour; the two upper ones broadest, obovate, rather unequal
sided, flat at the point as if truncate, stained with
dark velvet, and marked with numerous dark lines that
cross each other, and form net-work all over the petals :
lower petals narrower, spatulately ligulate, of a bright
blood colour, also marked from the base with dark veins
that branch all over the petals. Filaments 10, united at
the base, 7 bearing the rudiments of anthers, but no proper
ones, not even sterile ones in our specimen. Style
short, flesh-coloured, hairy all its length. Stigmas long,
dark purple, spreading, the points reflexed.
The present splendid and very distinct plant, is* of hybrid
origin, and was raised from a seed of P. sanguineum
last Spring, by Mr. W. Smith, in the collection of the
Earl of Liverpool, at Coombe Wood; the seed had been
fertilized by the pollen of P. aurantiacum, or some nearly
related sort, so that it is intermediate between two very
distinct tribes, partaking in an equal degree of b o t hwe
do not know when we have seen a more splendid flower;
its colour being quite dazzling when in full bloom. We
have named it in compliment to our respected friend,
Mr. J. C. Loudon, of Bayswater House, Author of several
valuable and popular works on Horticulture and Agriculture,
as the Encyclopaedia of Gardening, and Agriculture,
Gardener s Magazine, Natural History Magazine,
fyc. As the present plant is intermediate between two rather
tender sorts, it will require a good Greenhouse to preserve
it through the Winter; the best soil for it. is an equal proportion
of light turfy loam, peat, and sand, and the pots
to be well drained with small potsherds, that the wet might
pass off readily, as nothing would be more injurious to it
than too much moisture in Winter. It may be increased
by cuttings; or from pieces of its roots; the latter must be
planted with their points above the ground, or they will be
liable to rot.