FIG. 318. SINGLE FLOWER OF CALANTHE VERATRIFOLIA.

C. vestita (clothed).* fl., sepals and petals pure white, numerously produced in a many-flowered, nodding spike. l. deciduous. Pseudo-bulbs large, whitish, h. 2½ft. Burmah. (B. M. 4671.) The varieties of this species are very numerous.

C. v. igneo-oculata (fire-eyed).* fl., base of the column purplish, over which is a dazzling fire-colour, the blotch in the base of the lip of the same colour. Borneo, 1876.

C. v. nivalis (snowy).* fl. pure white, entirely destitute of any colour on the lip. Java, 1868.

C. v. rubro-oculata (red-eyed).* fl. delicate white, with a blotch of rich crimson in the centre; upwards of 2in. across; spikes long, drooping, having a white downy covering, and rising from the base of the silvery-green pseudo-bulbs, when the latter are without leaves. October to February.

C. v. Turneri (Turner's).* fl. pure white, with rose-coloured eye, larger, and produced on longer flower-spikes than the other kinds; form of flowers more compact. Java. This is considered by some authorities, to be a distinct species.

CALATHEA (from kalathos, a basket; in reference to the basket-shaped stigma, or to the leaves being worked into baskets in South America). ORD. Scitamineæ. This genus of very ornamental-leaved stove plants is distinguished from Maranta by mere botanical characters; and the two genera are often confounded. Flowers in terminal spikes, bracteate; perianth six-cleft, outer segments lanceolate, inner ones blunt and irregular; stamens three, petal-like. Leaves large, springing from the contracted stem, near the root. They delight in a rich, loose, open soil, consisting of peat, loam, and leaf soil, in about equal proportions, with the addition of a good sprinkling of sand, to keep it open and porous. The mixture should be used in a rough, lumpy state, so that the roots, which are of large size, may be able to travel with freedom. Nearly all the species admit of easy increase by division. July is a favourable time to set about it, or it may be carried out any time between that and the spring months. In order to make the necessary separation without damaging the roots, the plants should be shaken out from the soil, when they may be divided into as many pieces as there are separate crowns. Whether an increased stock be desired or not, Calatheas require fresh soil annually; and, if not reduced by division, they become much too thickly foliaged to properly develop, unless they are shifted into larger-sized pots, which can always be done if large specimens are required. When making divisions, see that each crown is well furnished with roots, so that they may at once commence sending up fresh young foliage. Although Calatheas require an abundant supply of water while growing, a stagnant moisture is most injurious; good drainage is, therefore, essential. To have the leaves in fine, healthy condition, plenty of atmospheric moisture must be maintained during their growth; and, if syringing is resorted to for the purpose of securing this, clear soft water should be used, or an unsightly deposit will be the result, by which the beauty of the plants, unless they are frequently sponged, will be spoiled. These plants require, in addition to plenty of moisture, moderate shade during the summer, as they dislike strong sunshine, and may, therefore, be grown among ferns, under creepers, in situations that would be of little use for other purposes. Calatheas are not subject to insects if properly supplied with water while growing, and a sufficiently moist atmosphere is at all times maintained; but, if either of these are lacking, red spider soon put in an appearance, and quickly disfigure the leaves.

C. applicata (inclined). fl. white. Brazil, 1875. SYN. Maranta pinnato-picta. (B. H. 1875, 18.)

C. arrecta (erect).* l. rich satin-green on the upper side, and heavy ruby colour on the under side. Ecuador, 1872. A fine species, with a very elegant growth. (I. H. 1871, 77.)

C. Bachemiana (Bachem's). l. silvery, with green lines and blotches. Brazil, 1875.

C. Baraquinii (Baraquin's).* l. ovate-lanceolate; ground colour bright green, relieved by beautiful bands of silvery white. Amazons, 1868.

C. bella (handsome).* l. greyish-green, with the margins and two series of central patches deep green. Brazil, 1875. SYN. Maranta tessellata Kegeljani.

C. crocata (saffron-coloured). fl. orange. Brazil, 1875.

C. eximia (choice). 1857. SYN. Phrynium eximium. (R. G. 686.)

C. fasciata (banded).* l. 8in. to 12in. long, 6in. to 8in. wide, broadly cordate; ground colour bright green, with broad bands of white running across from midrib to the margin; the under side pale green, tinged with purple. h. 1ft. Brazil, 1859. (R. G. 255.)

C. hieroglyphica (hieroglyphic). l. broadly obovate, obtuse; ground colour rich dark velvety green, which, towards the midrib, shades off into light emerald green; primary veins oblique, and the spaces between them ornamented with irregular streaks and bars of silvery white; under surface of a uniform dark vinous purple. Columbia, 1873. Dwarf and distinct. (I. H. 1873, 122.)

C. illustris (bright).* l. somewhat obovate; upper surface of a bright pea-green, streaked with transverse bands of a deeper green; midrib pink, with two irregular blotches of white traversing the leaves from base to point, midway between the margin and costa; under surface deep purple. Ecuador, 1866.

C. Kerchoviana (Kerchove's).* l. cordate, oblong, obtuse, shortly and abruptly acuminate, greyish-green, with a row of purplish blotches on each side of the midrib. h. 6in. Brazil, 1879. SYN. Maranta leuconeura Kerchoviana.

C. Legrelliana (Le Grell's). l. very dark green, relieved by a feathery band of white, extending the whole length between the midrib and margin. Ecuador, 1867.

C. Leitzei (Leitze's). l. oblong-lanceolate, deep metallic green, and shining on the upper surface, with feather-like markings of deeper colour, purplish-violet beneath. Brazil, 1875. (R. G. 935.)

C. leopardina (leopard).* l. oblong, pale or yellowish-green, marked on each side of the costa with several oblong acuminate blotches of deep green. h. 2ft. Brazil, 1875. (R. G. 893.)

C. leuconeura (white-nerved). A synonym of Maranta leuconeura.

C. leucostachys (white-spiked). h. 1ft. A fine species, allied to C. Warscewiczii. Costa Rica, 1874. (B. M. 6205.)

C. Lindeni (Linden's).* l. oblong, 6in. to 12in. long, deep green, with blotches of yellowish-green on each side of the midrib; under surface purplish-rose, through which the markings of the upper side are visible. Peru, 1866. Very handsome and free-growing. (I. H. 1871, 82.)

C. Luciani (Lucian's). l. shining green, the midrib festooned with silvery white. Tropical America, 1872.

C. Makoyana (Makoy's).* l. oblong, somewhat unequal-sided, 6in. to 8in. long, upwards of 4in. broad; outer margin deep green, the central portion semi-transparent, beautifully blotched with creamy-yellow and white; the central part is also ornamented between the transverse veins with oblong blotches of deep green; petioles slender, purplish-red. Tropical America, 1872. SYN. C. olivaris. (G. C. 1872, p. 1589.)

C. Massangeana (Massange's).* l. beautifully covered with rich marking, presenting a somewhat similar appearance to the wings of certain butterflies. The outer portion is olive-green; the middle, on both sides of the costa, of a delicate silvery-grey colour, from which the whitish side veins run out in a well-defined and regular manner; the portion of the leaf surrounding the silvery centre is ornamented with large blotches of dark velvety purplish-maroon, occasionally shaded with brownish-crimson; the whole of the leaf being marked with silky and sparkling reflections. Brazil, 1875. It is of neat habit, growing in close tufts, its ample foliage covering the ground.

C. medio-picta (middle painted). l. oblong-acute, tapering to the base, dark green, with a feathered white central stripe. Brazil, 1878.

C. micans (glittering).* l. oblong-acuminate, 2in. to 3in. long, a little over 1in. in breadth, dark shining green, with a white feathery stripe down the centre. Tropical America. The smallest species of the genus with a spreading habit, and quickly forming dense and beautiful tufts. There is a variety of this named amabilis. Brazil.

C. nitens (shining).* l. oblong, green, with a bright glossy surface, marked on each side of the midrib with a series of oblong acute bars, alternating with numerous lines of a dark green on a pale bright green ground. Brazil, 1880. An elegant and small-growing plant.

C. olivaris (olive-green). Synonymous with C. Makoyana.

C. ornata (ornamented).* l. oblong acuminate, 6in. to 9in. long, 3in. or more broad, yellowish-green, relieved by broad transverse bands of dark olive-green; under side tinged with purple. h. 1ft. to 2ft. Columbia, 1849.

C. o. albo-lineata (white-lined). Columbia, 1848. SYN. Maranta albo-lineata.

C. o. majestica (majestic). Rio Purus, 1866. SYN. Maranta majestica.

C. o. regalis (royal). Peru, 1856. SYNS. Maranta regalis and M. coriifolia.

C. o. roseo-lineata (rosy-lined).* h. 1ft. 1848. SYN. Maranta roseo-lineata.

C. pacifica (Pacific). l. oblong ovate, of a fine dark green on the upper surface, olive-brown beneath. Eastern Peru, 1871.

FIG. 319. CALATHEA VEITCHII.

C. pardina (leopard).* fl. yellow, large, handsome, produced in great abundance. l. 10in. to 18in. long, 5in. to 6in. wide, ovate, pale green, with dark brown blotches on each side the midrib, and which occur at regular intervals the whole length of the leaf. New Grenada. (F. d. S. ii., 1101.)

C. prasina (leek-green). l. with a yellow-green central band. Brazil, 1875.

C. princeps (magnificent).* l. 12in. to 18in. long; centre rich dark green, broadly margined with yellowish-green, purple beneath. h. 2ft. to 3ft. Peru, 1869. A superb large-growing species.

C. pulchella (pretty). l. bright green, with two series of deep green blotches, alternately large and small. Brazil, 1859. This much resembles C. zebrina in general appearance, but is not so strong a grower, and the leaves are not so dark.

C. rosea-picta (rose-coloured). l. somewhat orbicular, of a rich glossy green; midrib of a lovely rose-colour, between the margin and midrib are two irregular bands of the same colour, traversing the entire length of the leaf. Upper Amazon, 1866. (R. G. 610.)

C. Seemanni (Seemann's). l. about 1ft. long, 6in. broad, satiny emerald-green; midrib whitish. Nicaragua, 1872.

C. splendida (splendid). l. large, oblong-lanceolate, deflexed, 10in. to 18in. long, rich dark olive-green, with distinct blotches of greenish-yellow. Brazil, 1864.

C. tubispatha (tube-spathed).* l. somewhat obovate, obtuse, 6in. to 12in. long, pale greenish-yellow, beautifully relieved by a row of rich brown oblong blotches, set in pairs on each side of the midrib, throughout the entire length of the leaf. West Tropical America, 1865. An elegant species. (B. M. 5542.)

C. Vanden Heckei (Van den Heck's).* l. rich dark glossy green, shaded with transverse bands of a lighter green; midrib broadly margined with silvery-white, two bands of the same colour traverse the leaf from base to apex, midway between midrib and margin; under side of a uniform purplish-crimson. Brazil, 1865. Very distinct and handsome.

C. Veitchii (Veitch's).* l. large, ovate elliptic, over 1ft. long, very rich glossy green, marked along each side the midrib with crescent-shaped blotches of yellow, softened by shades of green and white; under surface light purple. h. 3ft. W. Tropical America, 1865. Probably the handsomest of the genus. See Fig. 319.

C. virginalis (virginal). l. large, broadly ovate, light green; midrib white, also with a white band on each side; the under side of a greyish-green. Amazons, 1857. Habit dwarf and compact.

C vittata (striped). l. ovate-acuminate, 9in. long, very light green, with narrow transverse bars of white on each side of the midrib. Brazil, 1857.

C. Wallisii (Wallis's).* l. rather large, of a rich and pleasing light green, beautifully relieved with a ray of rich dark green. South America, 1867. A handsome and distinct sort, but somewhat rare.

C. W. discolor (two-coloured). l. bright velvety green, with the centre and margins grey. South America, 1871.

C. Warscewiczii (Warscewicz's).* l. 2ft. long, about 8in. wide, deep velvety green in colour, relieved by a feathery stripe of yellowish-green on either side the midrib, and extending from the base to the apex. h. 3ft. Tropical America, 1879. A fine sort. (R. G. 515.)

C. Wioti (Wiot's). l. bright green, with two series of olive-green blotches. Brazil, 1875.

FIG. 320. CALATHEA ZEBRINA.

C. zebrina (zebra).* l. 2ft. to 3ft. long, 6in. to 8in. wide, beautiful velvety light green on the upper side, barred with greenish-purple; under side of a dull greenish-purple. h. 2ft. Brazil, 1815. This is a very old inhabitant of our stoves, and, for general usefulness is not much surpassed. See Fig. 320. (B. R. 385.)