BARBACENIA

(named after M. Barbacena, a Governor of Minas Geraes). Formerly placed in O RD. Hæmodoraceæ, but now referred by Bentham and Hooker to Amaryllid aceæ. Very singular and pretty stove evergreen herbaceous perennials, allied to Vellozia. Flowers purple, large, showy; perianth funnel-shaped, resinosely hairy on the outside; limb spreading; scapes one-flowered, usually clothed with glandular hairs. Leaves firm, spiral, spreading, acutely keeled. Lindley says that they are capable of existing in a dry, hot air without contact with the earth, on which account they are favourites in South American gardens, where, with Orchids and Bromeliads, they are suspended in the dwelling houses, or hung to the balustrades of the balconies, in which situation they flower abundantly, filling the air with their fragrance. They are rarely seen in our gardens. They may be grown in baskets of fibrous loam and peat, with some nodules of charcoal added. IMG:7081556231692414330_i_157.jpg: F IG . 205. F LOWER OF B ARBACENIA PURPURE A .