Chapter M: A. S. Salm-Dyck. Monographia generum Aloes et Mesembryanthemi (22)

=B. H. bella= (charming).* A new variety with sepals and petals
whitish yellow outside, brilliant shining cinnamon inside, with a
few spots, bars, and blotches of whitish sulphur colour; lip wide,
white, with one light brown spot behind, and a larger one in front
of the callus; radiating light brown lines on lateral lobes, and
mauve ones on anterior lobe.

=B. H. pardalina= (leopard-marked).* A very beautiful variety,
having sepals and petals with brown circles or polygonal figures
on a light yellow ground; lip light ochre-coloured at its basilar
part, white in front, with radiating mauve-purple streaks. This
variety is extremely rare.

=B. vitellina= (yolk-coloured).* _fl._ yellowish purple; lip
cuneate, three-lobed; lateral lobes acute, crenulated; racemes
drooping. July. _l._ lanceolate. Pseudo-bulb ovate, bluntly
angular, one-leaved. _h._ 1ft. Brazil, 1838.

=BIFURCATE.= Twice-forked.

=BIGELOVIA= (named after Dr. Jacob Bigelow, author of "Florula Bostoniensis," &c.). ORD. _Compositæ_. A genus of hardy shrubs, sub-shrubs, or herbaceous plants, as now understood, comprising several subjects formerly referred to _Chrysothamnus_, _Linosyris_, &c. Flower-heads disposed in corymbs; involucre imbricated, oblong, or campanulate; receptacle flat. Leaves alternate, linear or lanceolate. They thrive in any ordinary garden soil. Propagated by cuttings.

=B. Howardii= (Howard's). _fl.-heads_ yellow; involucre narrow. A
low shrub. SYN. _Linosyris Howardii_.

=B. nudata= (naked). _fl.-heads_ yellow. September. _l._ scattered,
oblanceolate or linear. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. New Jersey. Perennial.

=B. paniculata= (panicled). _fl.-heads_ yellow, barely 1/2in. long,
loosely panicled, five-flowered. California. Shrubby.

=BIGEMINATE.= Doubly paired.

=BIGLANDULARIA.= _See_ =Sinningia=.

=BIGNONIA= (so named by Tournefort, in compliment to the Abbé Bignon, librarian to Louis IV.). ORD. _Bignoniaceæ_. A large genus of usually scandent shrubs, furnished with tendrils; rarely erect trees or shrubs. Flowers axillary and terminal, usually panicled; corolla with a short tube, a campanulate throat, and a five-lobed, bilabiate limb. Leaves opposite, simple, conjugate, ternate, digitate or pinnatifid. These handsome plants are particularly suited for large houses, where, if well grown, they give great satisfaction. The primary point in their culture is to obtain free and, at the same time, sturdy growth, giving due attention to training, pruning, &c., or the plants soon exceed all limits. Like all free-growing plants, Bignonias thrive best planted out in the borders of the stove or greenhouse, or out of doors, as the case may be; but the space allowed should be limited, in order to restrict root production. They may either be trained to cover the back wall, or be planted in a border in front, and trained up the rafters, or on wires, arranged where most desirable. In summer, allow all the strongest shoots to grow, training them so as to have as much sunlight as possible-which is absolutely necessary to well ripen the wood, and make it capable of producing flowers-without entirely shutting it out from the plants below. Soil: A compost of two part fibrous loam, one part peat, one of leaf mould, and a due proportion of sand, will be found most satisfactory. The loam and peat should be used in a rough state, unsifted, as this will keep the border open for some years, and thorough drainage should be effected. Propagation: Seed being rarely procurable, the most satisfactory method of propagation is by cuttings, made of good strong shoots, in early spring. Three joints are sufficient to make a cutting, if short-jointed; if long-jointed, two are sufficient. Place them in a well-drained pot of sandy soil, under a bell glass, in bottom heat. As these cuttings are young and fleshy, they are liable to damp off; hence it is necessary, for the first two or three weeks, to wipe the moisture from the glasses every morning, and water sparingly. If well managed, they will root in about two months, and should then have the glasses left off every night for a week; they should then be transferred to small pots in the compost above described, passing it through a coarse sieve, to extract the stones and rough pieces of soil. After potting, the plants should be kept close for a short time, till they are able to bear full exposure to the light. In a year's time, they will be large enough to plant out in their permanent quarters. Bignonias may also be increased by layering.

=B. æquinoxialis= (equinoxial). _fl._ yellow; peduncles
two-flowered, terminal ones racemose. June to October. _l._
glabrous, conjugate; leaflets oblong-lanceolate. Tendrils simple,
axillary. Cayenne, 1768.

=B. æ. Chamberlaynii= (Chamberlayn's).* _fl._, corolla yellow,
funnel-shaped; segments obtuse; racemes axillary, six to
eight-flowered. April to October, _l._, leaflets ovate, acuminated,
glabrous, shining above. Tendrils strong, simple. Brazil, 1820. (B.
R. 741.)

=B. æsculifolia= (Chestnut-leaved). A synonym of _Tabebiua
æsculifolia_.

=B. apurensis= (Apuran). _fl._ pedicellate, 2in. long; corolla
yellow, funnel-shaped, with roundish, spreading, nearly equal
lobes; spikes terminal, sessile. _l._ ternate; leaflets
elliptic-oblong, short-acuminated, acutish at the base. Shady banks
of the river Apures, near El Diamante, 1824.

=B. argyreo-violascens= (silvery-violet). _l._ white-veined, in a
young state violet. South America, 1865. (F. M. 1865, 26.)

=B. aurantiaca= (orange). _fl._ orange-coloured. South America,
1874.

=B. capreolata= (tendrilled).* _fl._, corolla orange; peduncles
axillary, one-flowered, crowded. April to August. _l._ conjugate;
leaflets cordate oblong; lower ones simple. Tendrils small, trifid.
North America, 1710. Hardy in south of England. (B. M. 864.)

=B. c. atro-sanguinea= (dark blood-red). _fl._ red-purple. Summer.
United States. (B. M. 6501.)

=B. Cherere= (Chirere).* _fl._, corollas orange, 2in. long; cymes
axillary. June to November. _l._, lower ones ternate, upper
ones conjugate, cirrhose; leaflets ovate, acuminated, sometimes
sub-cordate, glabrous. Guiana (in woods and on the banks of
rivers), 1824. (B. R. 1301.)

=B. Chica= (Chica). _fl._, corolla funnel-shaped, violaceous; limb
with nearly equal, rounded segments; panicles axillary, pendulous.
_l._ 8in. to 10in. long, abruptly bipinnate; leaflets conjugate,
elliptic-ovate, acuminated, deeply cordate, glabrous. Tendrils
simple. Banks of the Orinoco, 1819.

=B. chrysantha= (yellow-flowered). _fl._ terminal, crowded; corolla
yellow, 2in. long. May. _l._, leaflets five, ovate, acuminated,
tomentose, on pedicels 5in. long. _h._ 12ft. to 26ft. Caraccas,
1823. Tree.

=B. chrysoleuca= (yellowish-white). _fl._, corolla yellow,
with a white limb, glabrous, 1-1/2in. long; peduncles three to
five-flowered. June, July. _l._ conjugate; leaflets 5in. to 6in.
long, 2in. broad, oblong acuminated, glabrous, rounded at the base,
shining. Tendrils undivided. Banks of the River Magdalena, 1824.

=B. Clematis= (Clematis-like).* _fl._, corolla white, yellowish
inside; lobes nearly equal, roundish, red; panicles axillary,
downy. _l._ 7in. to 8in. long, conjugately pinnate, with an odd
one; leaflets 2in. long, 1in. broad, ovate, narrowed at top, acute,
cordate at the base, glabrous. Branches quadrangular, glabrous.
Caraccas, 1820.

=B. diversifolia= (diverse-leaved). _fl._, corolla yellow,
campanulately funnel-shaped; panicles terminal. _l._ conjugate and
simple; leaflets roundish-ovate, acuminated, sub-cordate, glabrous,
shining. Tendrils undivided. Branches quadrangular, striated.
Mexico, 1825.

=B. floribunda= (many-flowered).* _fl._, corolla purplish,
funnel-shaped, eight lines long; panicles axillary, powdery, with
opposite branches and dichotomous branchlets. _l._ conjugate;
leaflets 2-1/2in. long, oblong-elliptic, acuminated, acute at the
base, glabrous, shining. Tendrils undivided. Branches beset with
white warts and fine powder. Mexico, 1824.

=B. lactiflora= (milk-flowered). _fl._, corolla milk white,
1-1/2in. long, villously tomentose on the outside; racemes twin,
with a petiolate bract at the base of each pedicel. April and July.
_l._ conjugate; leaflets 2in. long, cordate, ovate, glabrous.
Branches striated. Tendrils trifid. Santa Cruz, 1823.

=B. leucoxyla= (white-wooded). A synonym of _Tabebiua leucoxyla_.

=B. litoralis= (shore). _fl._, corolla funnel-shaped, red, downy
outside; panicles axillary, dichotomously branched. May to July.
_l._ ternate; leaflets roundish-ovate, acuminated, clothed with
soft hair on both surfaces. Branches terete, glabrous; branchlets
hairy. Mexico, 1824.

=B. magnifica= (magnificent).* _fl._ varying from delicate mauve to
rich purplish-crimson; throat light primrose colour, very large,
3-1/2in. across; panicles large, branching. Summer. _l._ opposite,
on rather long petioles, broadly ovate. Columbia, 1879. A very
handsome species. See Fig. 250, for which we are indebted to Mr.
Bull.

=B. mollis= (soft). _fl._ small, downy; panicle terminal,
many-flowered. _l._ trifoliate; leaflets 5in. long, ovate,
sub-cordate, downy on both surfaces. Cayenne, 1818.

=B. molissima= (very soft). _fl._, corollas somewhat funnel-shaped,
downy inside; panicles axillary, dichotomously branched, downy.
_l._ conjugate and simple; leaflets 2-1/2in. long, 1-1/2in. broad,
ovate, acute, cordate, clothed with soft hairs above. Caraccas,
1820.

=B. pallida= (pale).* _fl._ axillary, usually solitary; corolla
2in. long, funnel-shaped, with a yellow tube, and a pale lilac
limb; lobes crenately ciliated. July. _l._ simple, opposite,
oblong, obtuse, rather cordate at the base. Branches terete. St.
Vincent, 1823. (B. R. 965.)

=B. picta= (painted). A synonym of _B. speciosa_.

=B. radicans= (rooting). _See_ =Tecoma radicans=.

=B. reticulata= (netted). Columbia, 1873.

=B. Roezlii= (Roezl's). Columbia, 1870.

B. SALICIFOLIA (Willow-leaved). _fl._, corolla funnel-shaped,
1-1/2in. long, copper-coloured, with a white limb; peduncles
axillary, three to six-flowered, downy. Summer. _l._ conjugate;
leaflets lanceolate, 3in. long, acute at both ends, quite glabrous,
shining. Branches terete, sulcate. Trinidad, 1824.

=B. speciosa= (beautiful).* _fl._ pink, stained with purple; calyx
spathaceous, split on one side; panicles terminal. May. _l._
pinnate, ternate and verticillate; leaflets oblong-lanceolate,
acuminate, shining, serrate. _h._ 4ft. Uruguay, 1840. A glabrous
evergreen shrub. SYN. _B. picta_. (B. M. 3888.)

=B. spectabilis= (showy). _fl._, corolla 3in. long, rather
coriaceous, glabrous, purple; racemes terminal, short, having the
two lower pedicels three-flowered, and the rest one-flowered. _l._
conjugate; leaflets ovate-oblong, acuminated, obtuse. Santa Cruz,
&c., 1820.

=B. Tweediana= (Tweedie's). _fl._ yellow; corolla glabrous, limb
deeply five-parted, ciliated; segments emarginate; peduncles
one-flowered. Summer. _l._ conjugate; leaflets lanceolate,
acuminate; petioles downy. Buenos Ayres, 1838. (B. R. 26, 45.)

=B. variabilis= (variable).* _fl._, corolla 3in. long, with a
greenish-yellow tube; limb ultimately white; racemes simple,
short, many-flowered, terminal. June to August. _l._, lower ones
biternate; superior ones conjugate; divisions ternate. Branches
tetragonal. Tendrils trifid. Caraccas, 1819.

=B. venusta= (lovely). _fl._, corolla crimson, clavately
funnel-shaped, with a spreading border, villous inside; corymbs
terminal, many-flowered. August to December. _l._, lower ones
ternate; superior ones conjugate; leaflets oblong-ovate, acuminated
oblique at the base. Brazil, 1816. (B. R. 249.)

=BIGNONIACEÆ.= A large order of trees, or twining or climbing shrubby plants. Flowers usually trumpet-shaped; corolla usually irregular, four or five-lobed, and with a swollen portion below its mouth; stamens five, unequal. Fruit, a two-valved, often pod-like capsule. Leaves usually opposite, compound. The best-known genera are _Bignonia_, _Catalpa_, _Eccremocarpus_, _Jacaranda_, and _Tecoma_.

=BIJUGATE.= A compound leaf, with two pairs of leaflets.

=BILABIATE.= Having two lips.

=BILBERRY.= _See_ =Vaccinium Myrtillus=.

=BILIMBI TREE.= _See_ =Averrhoa Bilimbi=.

=BILL.= A cutting instrument, curved forward, or hook-shaped toward the point, and fitted with a handle, like a hatchet. It is used for pruning, &c. When short, it is called a Hand-bill; when long, a Hedge-bill, or Hedge-hook.

=BILLARDIERA= (in honour of Jacques Julien Labillardiere, a celebrated French botanist and traveller). Apple Berry. ORD. _Pittosporaceæ_. Very desirable greenhouse evergreen climbers. Peduncles solitary from the apex of the branches, one-flowered, pendulous; calyx of five subulate sepals; petals five, combined into a tube below, generally yellow; stamens five. Fruit edible. Leaves alternate. They thrive either in pots or planted out in a compost of fibrous loam, leaf soil, and peat, in equal proportions, with thorough drainage. Cuttings, dibbled in a pot of sandy soil, placed under a bell glass, in gentle heat, root readily. They may also be raised from seed, which several of the species produce in abundance.

=B. angustifolia= (narrow-leaved). A synonym of _B. scandens_.

=B. longiflora= (long-flowered).* _fl._ greenish-yellow, often
changing to purple, solitary; pedicels glabrous. Berries blue. May
to August. _l._ lanceolate, entire. Van Diemen's Land, 1810. A
very free-growing and profuse-flowering species. SYN. _B. ovalis_.
See Fig. 251. (B. M. 1507.)

=B. mutabilis= (changeable). A synonym of _B. scandens_.

=B. ovalis= (oval-leaved). A synonym of _B. longiflora_.

=B. scandens= (climbing).* _fl._ cream-coloured, at length
purplish, solitary; pedicels same length as the flower. June
to September. _l._ lanceolate-linear, entire. Branches, when
young, villous. New Holland, 1795. SYNS. _B. mutabilis_, _B.
angustifolia_. (B. M. 1313.)

=BILLBERGIA= (named after J. G. Billberg, a Swedish botanist). ORD. _Bromeliaceæ_. A genus of handsome stove plants. Flowers borne on light panicles; calyx three-parted; corolla of three convolute petals, scaly at the base; stamens inserted into the base of the perianth. Leaves harsh, rigid. These require much the same treatment as recommended for _Æchmea_. The most suitable soil is a mixture of peat, leaf soil, and loam in about equal parts, to which is added some sharp sand, to keep it open and porous. Free and perfect drainage is absolutely necessary for the successful culture of this class of plants, and a layer of moss should be placed over the crocks previous to filling the pots with soil. Although fond of heat, Billbergias will, when in flower, bear removal to a cooler house than a stove; and, if they are kept a little dry at the same time, the change will greatly prolong their blooming period. The stronger growing kinds thrive well in rich, well-drained loam and leaf mould. Propagation is effected by carefully taking off the suckers which form at the base, after the plants have done flowering; but, before doing this, they should be allowed to attain a good size. The suckers grow quickly when attached to the parent stem, from which they derive their strength, and feel the check less when severed; besides which, they become more mature, and are in better condition for rooting. The best method to adopt is as follows: Take the sucker in the hand and gently twist it off the stem; next trim the base by the removal of a few of the lower leaves, and then insert each sucker separately in a small pot, in sharp soil. A bottom heat of about 80deg. will greatly facilitate new root-growth; failing this, they will root freely in the temperature of a stove if placed in a shaded position for two or three weeks, after which they will bear increased light and sunshine during the later part of the day. _See also_ =Æchmea= and =Androlepis=.

=B. amœna= (pleasing). _fl._ greenish-white, tipped with blue,
loosely panicled; bracts rose-coloured. July to winter. _l._
ligulate, abruptly acuminate, slightly spiny. _h._ 2ft. Brazil,
1817. (B. R. 344.)

=B. Baraquiniana= (Baraquin's).* _fl._ green; spikes long,
the upper portion pendulous, bearing four or five large,
oblong-lanceolate, bright scarlet bracts at the base of the
flowers; the stem above the bracts is hoary white. Early spring.
_l._ ligulate, tapering to a point, where, as well as at the edges,
they are armed with sharp reddish spines, arched, transversely
variegated with white scurfy bars. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Brazil, 1865. (I.
H. 1864, 421.)

=B. chlorosticta= (green-spotted). Synonymous with _B. Saundersii_.

=B. iridifolia= (Iris-leaved).* _fl._ red and yellow, tipped with
blue, in drooping spikes; rachis and bracts crimson. March. _l._
lanceolate, ensiform, 1-1/2ft., grey beneath. _h._ 1ft. Rio de
Janeiro, 1825. (B. R. 1068.)

=B. Liboniana= (Libon's).* _fl._, outer perianth segments beautiful
coral red, about half as long as the inner ones, which are whitish
at the base, and a splendid purple upwards. Winter. _l._ in a dense
rosette. _h._ 1ft. Brazil, 1858. (B. M. 5090.)

=B. Lietzei= (Lietz's).* _fl._ in loose terminal racemes, each
subtended by lanceolate pink bracts; sepals rosy pink, half as
long as the greenish corolla. _l._ tufted, ligulate, acute; margin
spiny. Brazil, 1881. A double-flowered variety, with petaloid
stamens, is mentioned by M. Morren, which is interesting in being
the first double-flowered Bromeliad yet recorded. (B. H. 1881, 97.)

=B. marmorata= (marbled).* _fl._ deep blue; calyces green, tipped
with blue; bracts very large, leafy, oblong, bright scarlet;
panicles erect, branched, much longer than the leaves. _l._ broadly
ligulate, sheathing at the base, truncate-mucronate at the apex;
edges very regularly toothed, deep green, freely blotched and
barred with dull reddish-brown. (I. H. 2, 48.)

=B. Moreli= (Morel's).* _fl._, sepals red, densely woolly, less
than half as long as the purplish-violet petals; spike dense,
drooping; bracts large, deep rosy red, much longer than the
solitary sessile flowers. February. _l._ arching, lanceolate,
shining green on both surfaces; marginal spines few and weak, _h._
1ft. Brazil, 1848. An excellent basket plant. SYN. _B. Moreliana_.
(B. H. 1873, 1, 2.)

=B. Moreliana= (Morel's). Synonymous with _B. Moreli_.

=B. nutans= (nodding). _fl._, sepals reddish; petals
yellowish-green, both with a blue margin; scapes slender, nodding,
with a few large rosy bracts, terminating in a short drooping
spike. Winter. _l._ numerous, long, narrow, ensiform, remotely
spiny. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Brazil, 1868. See Fig. 252. (B. M. 6423.)

=B. pallescens= (pallid). _fl._ greenish-white; ovary deeply
grooved; spike pendulous; bracts lanceolate, of a beautiful
rose-pink. Winter. _l._ dark green, and spotted on the upper
surface, paler beneath, with transverse bars. _h._ 1-1/2ft.
Brazil, 1856. SYNS. _B. pallida_ and _B. Wioti_.

=B. pallida= (pale). Synonymous with _B. pallescens_.

=B. pyramidalis= (pyramidal). _fl._ red, with purple margin, in
erect spikes; bracts lanceolate, rosy. February. _l._ curved,
ligulate-lanceolate, with white bands beneath. _h._ 1ft. Peru,
1822. (B. H. 1873, 16.)

=B. Quesneliana= (Quesnel's).* _fl._ deep purple; bracts
flesh-coloured; upper ones variegated with white. _h._ 6ft. Guiana,
1874. An erect growing species, possessing the same habit as _B.
rosea-marginata_, but having the leaves more acuminate, and deep
green in colour. SYN. _Quesnelia rufa_. (F. d. S. 10, 1026.)

=B. rosea-marginata= (rose-margined).* _fl._, inflorescence a
dense oblong spike of light blue, subtended by large, broad,
deep, rose-coloured bracts, with scarious margins. January. _l._
sheathing at the base, about 2ft. long, channelled, spiny on the
margin, and marked with transverse mealy bands. _h._ 1-1/2ft.
Tropical America, 1880. SYNS. _B. rubro-marginata_ and _Quesnelia
roseo-marginata_.

=B. rubro-marginata= (red-margined). Synonymous with _B.
rosea-marginata_.

=B. Saundersii= (Saunders').* _fl._ about 2in. long, disposed in
a loose pendulous inflorescence; sepals crimson, half the length
of the petals, which are yellow outside and blue within. _l._
tufted, ligulate, rounded at the apex, terminated by a short
mucro, saw-toothed, green above, purple beneath, and spotted white
on both surfaces. Brazil, 1868. SYN. (according to Morren) _B.
chlorosticta_. (F. M. n. s. 106.)

=B. thyrsoidea= (thyrsoid). _fl._ dense, in thyrsoid spikes, almost
without bracts. June. _l._ green, ligulate, shortly acuminate, the
margin toothed. _h._ 1ft. Brazil, 1850. (B. M. 4756.)

=B. vittata= (striped). _fl._ indigo blue, with crimson calyces and
bracts; racemes nodding. _l._ banded, ligulate, elongate, shining.
_h._ 1-1/2ft. Brazil, 1843. (B. H. 1871, 14, 15.)

=B. Wioti= (Wiot's). Synonymous with _B. pallescens_

=B. zebrina= (zebra-streaked).* _fl._ greenish; scape clothed with
large, pale, salmon-coloured bracts; inflorescence gracefully
curved downwards. Early spring. _l._ sheathing for about half their
length, forming thus a sort of tube, deep green, with zones of
grey, the whole deepening with age. _h._ 1-1/2ft. South America,
1826. SYN. _Helicodea zebrina_. (L. B. C. 1912.)

=BILOBATE.= Two-lobed.

=BINATE.= In pairs.

=BINDING.= The process of securing a graft or bud in its place by means of Raffia or Bast. The same term is applied to hard clay or other soil impervious to water, in summer.

=BINDWEED.= _See_ =Convolvulus=.

=BIOPHYTUM= (from _bios_, life, and _phyton_, a plant; the leaves of one species being sensitive to the touch). TRIBE _Oxalideæ_ of order _Geraniaceæ_. A genus of pretty and interesting perennials, differing from _Oxalis_, in which genus it has been included, in the valves of the capsule being patent and separate to the base. They will thrive in a mixture of loam and peat. Propagated by seeds, which should be sown in spring, on a hotbed. Probably the only species in cultivation is the following:

=B. sensitivum= (sensitive). _fl._ yellow, small. July. _l._,
leaflets oblong, obtuse, mucronate. _h._ 6in. India and China,
1823. The leaves of this plant contract on the slightest touch.
SYN. _Oxalis sensitiva_. (B. R. 31, 68.)

=BIOTA.= _See_ =Thuja=.

=BIOTIA.= _See_ =Aster corymbosus=.

=BIPARTITE.= Divided into two nearly to the base.

=BIPINNATE.= Twice pinnate.

=BIPINNATIFID=, or =BIPINNATIPARTED=. Having both primary and secondary segments of a leaf divided, but not to the base.

=BIPLICATE.= Having two folds or plaits.

=BIRCH.= _See_ =Betula=.

=BIRD-CHERRY.= _See_ =Cerasus Padus=.

=BIRDLIME.= A preparation made from Mistletoe berries and Holly bark. It is used for catching birds.

=BIRD-PEPPER.= _See_ =Capsicum baccatum=.

=BIRDS.= As a class, Birds are very much more useful than hurtful in gardens. Owls are of great use in catching mice, and Night-jars in catching night-flying insects. Rooks are very useful in lessening the numbers of wire-worms, and of hurtful insects in general; but, if very numerous, they may be driven to eat potatoes and other vegetable food, and may then do harm. The same may be said of Starlings. Blackbirds and Thrushes feed much on snails and worms, but they also feed on the ripe fruits in gardens. As a rule, slender-billed birds feed almost wholly on insects or other animals, and are to be encouraged in gardens at all seasons. Among these may be enumerated the Tree-creeper, Wryneck, Warblers, and Wrens of various kinds, Chats, Hedge-sparrow, Larks, Redstart, Robin, Titmice, and Wagtails. Swifts, Swallows, and Martins, are also great destroyers of insects. The Finches feed, in part, on insects, but also eat large quantities of seeds, and often do considerable damage among plants grown for seed, _e.g._, Cabbages, and in the seed-beds. Sparrows are about the most troublesome, though they are often assisted by Buntings, Chaffinches, Linnets, and others. When seed-beds or fruits have to be protected, this may be done by nets; or, more simply, by threads tied to sticks a few inches above the surface of the ground, or in front of the trees.

=BIRD'S-EYE PRIMROSE.= _See_ =Primula farinosa=.

=BIRD'S-FOOT.= _See_ =Ornithopus=.

=BIRD'S-FOOT FERN.= _See_ =Pellæa ornithopus=.

=BIRD'S-NEST FERN.= _See_ =Asplenium Nidus=.

=BIRTHWORT.= _See_ =Aristolochia=.

=BISCUTELLA= (from _bis_, double, and _scutella_, a saucer; in allusion to the form of the silicles). Buckler Mustard. ORD. _Cruciferæ_. Perennial or annual herbaceous plants, usually hispid, but sometimes downy or smoothish. Flowers yellow, scentless; pedicels filiform, bractless. Leaves oblong, entire, toothed or pinnatifid, somewhat radical or cauline. Stems round, erect, usually corymbosely branched at the top by racemes, which, when in flower, are short, but elongated at the time of fruiting. All the species produce seeds freely. The annuals should be sown in the open borders. Some of the perennial kinds are well adapted for ornamenting rockwork, in a dry, sunny situation. Of the annuals, _columnæ_, _lyrata_, _maritima_, and _obovata_, are best. Of the perennials, _coronopifolia_, _lævigata_, and _sempervirens_ are the most desirable, but none are worth cultivation outside botanical collections.

=BISERIAL=, or =BISERIATE=. Arranged in two parallel rows.

=BISERRATE.= Toothed in a saw-like manner, but with the primary teeth again serrated.

=BISULCATE.= Doubly furrowed.

=BITERNATE.= Twice ternate.

=BITTER ALMOND.= _See_ =Amygdalus communis amara=.

=BITTER APPLE.= _See_ =Cucumis Colocynthis=.

=BITTER-SWEET.= _See_ =Solanum Dulcamara=.

=BITTER VETCH.= _See_ =Orobus=.

=BITUMINOUS.= Clammy, adhesive.

=BIVONÆA= (named after Antonio Bivona-Bernardi, a Sicilian botanist, author of "Sicularum Plantarum Centuria I. et II.," Palermo, 1806). ORD. _Cruciferæ_. A pretty little monotypic genus, well adapted for ornamenting rockwork or the front of flower borders. A dry sandy soil is most suitable for its culture. Propagated by seeds, sown in spring where the plants are intended to remain, thinning-out being necessary to ensure full growth.

=B. lutea= (yellow).* _fl._ yellow, small; racemes terminal,
elongated as they grow; pedicels filiform, bractless. April.
_l._ alternate, lower ones stalked, the rest sessile, cordate,
stem-clasping at the base, ovate, toothed, bluntish. Stem filiform,
sparingly branched. _h._ 3in. to 6in. Sicily, 1823. An annual.

=BIXA= (its South American name). Arnatto. ORD. _Bixineæ_. Stove evergreen trees, with dichotomous panicles of large reddish flowers, broad cordate leaves, and prickly capsules. A compost of loam and peat is well adapted to their culture. Propagated by seed, sown when ripe in bottom heat; or by cuttings, which root freely in sand, under a hand glass, in heat; the latter is the better method. If grown from seed, the trees attain a large size before they flower; whereas cuttings, taken from a flowering plant and struck, may be brought to flower when small plants.

=B. Orellana= (Orellana). _fl._ pale peach-coloured; corymbs
terminal, panicled; peduncles two, three, and four-flowered. May to
August. _l._ cordate, ovate, acuminated, entire or angular, smooth
on both surfaces. The drug called Arnatto is prepared from the
red pulp which covers the seed of this species. It is used in the
preparation of chocolate, and by farmers for colouring cheese, and
also as an orange or yellow dye for silks. _h._ 30ft. West Indian
Islands, 1690. See Fig. 253. (B. M. 1456.)

=BIXINEÆ.= An order of smoothish tropical trees or shrubs, not remarkable for any particular beauty. Flowers with or without petals, when present five and sepal-like; stamens indefinite in number, inserted in the receptacle or at the bottom of the calyx; peduncle axillary or terminal, bracteate, one or many-flowered, usually forming terminal panicles. Fruit fleshy or dry. Leaves alternate, simple, entire, or slightly lobed, generally full of pellucid dots. The genera best known are _Azara_, _Bixa_, and _Flacourtia_.

=BLACK BEARBERRY.= _See_ =Arctostaphylos alpina=.

=BLACK BEETLES.= _See_ =Cockroaches=.

=BLACK BRYONY.= _See_ =Tamus communis=.

=BLACK BULLACE.= _See_ =Prunus insititia=.

=BLACKBURNIA.= _See_ =Xanthoxylum=.

=BLACK FLY or BEAN FLY= (_Aphis rumicis_), also called Collier and Black Dolphin. This Fly (see Fig. 254) is found on many herbaceous plants. It is very injurious to Beans; hence, immediate means of destruction must be employed directly the insect appears. Its extermination is an extremely difficult matter; but the following remedies are very effectual:

_Tobacco Water._ This, made and applied as recommended for Aphides (which _see_) is a good remedy; but it is rendered more certain by the employment of soapsuds, instead of clear water, in its manufacture.

_Paris Green_ (Arseniate of Copper). Owing to its poisonous nature, this should not be used where there is fruit on the trees or vegetables under them; but there is no better destroyer of hard-dying insects. Its application is very simple. Mix 1lb. of the green with 30gals. of water, and well wet the infested parts of the trees, using a fine-rosed watercan or garden engine for the purpose. The operator's hands should be free from sores and scratches, or dangerous ulcerations may ensue.

_Gas Liquor._ If this can be obtained from a gas-house, it should be diluted with twice its bulk of water, and applied in the same manner as Paris Green, being washed off with clean water in a few hours. If the process be repeated on two or three consecutive nights, it will be found certain in its effects; moreover, it is not very poisonous. The finger or thumb, or the Aphis brush, applied early, will often exterminate these obnoxious insects at once. The first of the methods above described is perhaps the most accessible and the safest to use. Poisonous insecticides are more or less dangerous, especially in the hands of the inexperienced. Black Fly is, however, one of the most difficult insects to eradicate, especially if allowed to multiply. A syringing of clean water should follow either of the above applications. _See also_ =Aphides=.

=BLACK JACK OAK.= _See_ =Quercus nigra=.

=BLACK MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT.= _See_ =Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum=.

=BLACK PINE.= _See_ =Pinus austriaca=.

=BLACKTHORN.= _See_ =Prunus spinosa=.

=BLACK VARNISH TREE.= _See_ =Melanorrhœa=.

=BLACK WATTLE.= _See_ =Callicoma serratifolia=.

=BLADDER CATCHFLY.= _See_ =Silene inflata=.

=BLADDER KETMIA.= _See_ =Hibiscus Trionum=.

=BLADDER NUT.= _See_ =Staphylea=.

=BLADDER SENNA.= _See_ =Colutea=.

=BLADDER WORT.= _See_ =Utricularia=.

=BLADE.= The lamina or expanded part of a leaf.

=BLÆRIA= (named after Patrick Blair, M.D., F.R.S., who practised medicine at Boston, in Lincolnshire, and was author of "Miscellaneous Observations," 1718; "Botanic Essays," 1820, &c.). ORD. _Ericaceæ_. Pretty little greenhouse evergreen shrubs, natives of Southern and Tropical Africa. Flowers terminal, glomerate; corolla short-tubular, with a four-cleft limb, very freely branched. Leaves verticillate, with revolute margins. For culture, _see_ =Erica=.

=B. articulata= (jointed).* _fl._ reddish; heads drooping. May.
_l._ four in a whorl, ovate or linear, glabrous, and shining;
bracts solitary. _h._ 1ft. 1795.

=B. ericoides= (Heath-like). _fl._ purplish-red. August. _l._ four
in a whorl, oblong, obtuse, ringed; bracts three, length of the
calyx. _h._ 2ft. 1774. SYN. _Erica orbicularis_. (L. B. C. 153.)

=B. purpurea= (purple). _fl._ purple; heads drooping. June. _l._
four in a whorl, ovate, sub-ciliated. Stem flexuous, erect. _h._
2ft. 1791.

=BLAKEA= (named after Martin Blake, of Antigua, a great promoter of useful knowledge). ORD. _Melastomaceæ_. Handsome stove evergreen shrubs or trees. Flowers red, large, showy; peduncles axillary, terete, one-flowered, naked, opposite or solitary, shorter than the leaves, usually with brown tomentum. Leaves petiolate, three to five-nerved, coriaceous, glabrous above and shining, but usually densely clothed with rusty tomentum beneath. They thrive well in peat, or a mixture of loam and peat, and require to be liberally supplied with water, particularly in spring and summer. Cuttings root freely if taken from shoots that are quite ripe (otherwise they are apt to rot), planted in a pot of sand, and plunged in a moist heat, under a hand glass.

=B. quinquenervia= (five-nerved). _fl._ flesh-coloured, large,
with white disks; peduncles twin, shorter than the petioles. June.
_l._ elliptic, acuminated, naked, and shining on both surfaces,
five-nerved. _h._ 10ft. to 16ft. Guiana, 1820. (A. G. 210.)

=B. trinervia= (three-nerved). _fl._ rose colour, large; peduncles
solitary, longer than the petioles. June. _l._ oval-oblong,
three-nerved, glabrous and shining on both surfaces in the adult
state, and when young serrulated; petioles and branchlets clothed
with rusty tomentum. Roots issuing from the branches and stems.
_h._ 4ft. to 8ft. Jamaica, 1789. (B. M. 451.)

=BLANCHING.= This process is effected for the purpose of obtaining crispness, and for converting what would, under ordinary circumstances, be a dangerous plant--in the case of Celery especially so--into a highly popular delicacy. Blanching can only be accomplished by entirely excluding the light from the plants, thus depriving the colouring matters of their power to decompose water and carbonic acid gas. It is also termed Etiolation.

=BLANDFORDIA= (named after George, Marquis of Blandford). ORD. _Liliaceæ_. A very beautiful genus of greenhouse bulbous plants, natives of Australia. Flowers solitary, on recurved pedicels; perianth funnel-shaped, six-cleft; stamens six. Leaves linear, elongate, striate; radical ones dilated, and somewhat sheathing at the base; others shorter and more distant, appearing on the flower-stem. The best soil in which to grow them is loam and peat in equal proportions, with a little rough silver sand added. They should be repotted moderately firm in the autumn, allowing good drainage, and should then be placed under the greenhouse stage, or in any other position where they will be free from water drippings. Water must only be given when dry, until they commence to grow, when it may be gradually increased, and they may be introduced into a higher temperature, if necessary, there to remain till after flowering. When the foliage is ripened off, they may be stored away until the time for repotting. Propagated by seeds and offsets, or by division of the old plants, which must be done when repotting.

=B. aurea= (golden).* _fl._ 1-1/2in. to 2in. long; scape bearing
an umbellate cluster of three to five pure golden-yellow drooping
bell-shaped flowers. Summer. _l._ narrow, linear, keeled or
channelled, from the base of which the flower-scape arises. _h._
1ft. to 2ft. New South Wales, 1870. (B. M. 5809.)

=B. Cunninghamii= (Cunningham's).* _fl._ rich coppery red, the
upper part yellow; about 2in. long, bell-shaped, pendulous; from
twelve to twenty, terminating in a stout scape 3ft. high. June.
_l._ linear, slightly keeled at the back, about 1/3in. broad. New
South Wales. This magnificent species should have a little charcoal
mixed with the soil already mentioned. (B. M. 5734.)

=B. C. hybrida= (hybrid). _fl._ red, margined with clear yellow,
bell-shaped, in a dense drooping umbel.

=B. flammea= (fiery).* _fl._ dullish yellow, in dense umbel-like
clusters; bracts ovate-lanceolate, stiff; perianth inversely
conical. June. _l._ linear, bluntly keeled. _h._ 2ft. Australia,
1849.

=B. f. elegans= (elegant).* _fl._ crimson, tipped with yellow,
large, funnel-shaped. Summer. _l._ long, linear-ensiform. This very
handsome form is often taken for the type.

=B. f. princeps= (magnificent).* _fl._ rich orange-red externally,
and bright yellow within, about 3in. long, tubular, borne on a
scape about 1ft. high, slightly pendulous, and arranged near the
summit. Summer. _l._ stiff, sub-erect, long, bright green, disposed
in a distichous manner. This is a very splendid greenhouse plant,
and should be in every collection. Australia, 1873. SYN. _B.
princeps_. See Fig. 255. (B. M. 6209.)

=B. grandiflora= (large-flowered).* _fl._ crimson, very large;
bracts as long as the pedicels, the inner much the shortest. July.
_h._ 2ft. New South Wales, 1812. (B. R. 924.)

=B. intermedia= (intermediate). _fl._ yellow, pendulous,
funnel-shaped, in sixteen to twenty-flowered racemes; bracts
leaf-formed. September. _l._ channelled, acutely keeled, scabrous
on the margins. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Australia.

=B. marginata= (margined). _fl._ orange-red, conical, in long
pendulous racemes; bracts narrow, foliaceous, about equalling in
length the pedicels. July. _l._ stiff, sub-erect, with scabrous
margins. _h._ 2ft. Tasmania, 1842. (B. R. 31, 18.)

=B. nobilis= (noble).* _fl._ orange with yellow margins, on long
pedicels, drooping, disposed in a terminal raceme; bracts twice as
short as the pedicels. July. _l._ very narrow. _h._ 2ft. New South
Wales, 1803. (B. M. 2003.)

=B. princeps= (magnificent). Synonymous with _B. flammea princeps_.

=BLATTA.= _See_ =Cockroaches=.

=BLEABERRY.= _See_ =Vaccinium Myrtillus=.

=BLEACHING POWDER.= _See_ =Chloride of Lime=.

=BLECHNUM= (from _Blechnon_, the Greek name of a fern). ORD. _Filices_. A very attractive genus of stove and greenhouse ferns, thriving in a compost of peat, leaf soil, and loam. Sori linear, continuous, or nearly so, parallel with, and usually contiguous to, the midrib. Involucre distinct from the edge of the frond. Fronds uniform, generally pinnate or pinnatifid. Veins usually free. For general culture, _see_ =Ferns=.

=B. australe= (southern).* _cau._ stout, creeping, scaly; _sti._
erect, 4in. to 6in. long. _fronds_ 9in. to 18in. long, and from
2in. to 3in. broad, lanceolate, narrowed towards both ends; pinnæ
numerous, the barren ones 1in. to 1-1/2in. long, 1/4in. to 3/8in.
broad, linear, hastate-cordate, or auricled at the base, especially
on the upper side, with a very coriaceous texture; fertile pinnæ
narrower. _sori_ in a continuous or slightly broken line, close,
but not contiguous, to the midrib. South Africa, &c., 1691.
Greenhouse species.

=B. boreale.= _See_ =Lomaria Spicant=.

=B. braziliense= (Brazilian).* _cau._ erect, stout,
sub-arborescent, 1ft. or more long, densely clothed at the crown
with dark brown scales. _sti._ short, stout, densely scaly.
_fronds_ oblong-lanceolate, 2ft. to 4ft. long, 6in. to 16in.
broad, narrowing downwards very gradually; pinnæ close, linear,
4in. to 8in. long, 1/2in. to 3/4in. broad, narrowed gradually
towards the point, finely toothed or undulated, connected at the
base. Brazil and Peru, 1820. See Fig. 256. (H. S. F. 3, 157.) There
is a very pretty variety met with in gardens under the name of
_Corcovadense crispum_, which is not quite so strong-growing as the
type, with wavy, crispy edges. They will all thrive in the cool of
a stove fernery.

=B. cartilagineum= (cartilaginous). _cau._ oblique, densely scaly
at top. _sti._ strong, erect, 4in. to 6in. long, scaly, muricated
in the lower part. _fronds_ ovate-oblong, 2ft. to 3ft. long, 6in.
to 12in. broad; pinnæ numerous, linear, 4in. to 6in. long, about
1/2in. broad, narrowed gradually towards the point, margin finely
toothed, dilated, and connected at the base. _sori_ in a broad line
close to the midrib. Temperate Australia, 1820. Greenhouse species.

=B. hastatum= (halbert-shaped).* _rhiz._ short, stout, scaly.
_sti._ 4in. to 6in. long, nearly naked. _fronds_ from 9in. to
18in. long, and 2in. to 4in. broad, lanceolate, with twenty to
forty pinnæ on each side; the barren ones 1in. to 1-1/2in. long,
lanceolate, falcate, narrowed gradually to a point, the lower side
slightly truncate, and slightly lobed, the upper cordate, with
a large hastate auricle; fertile pinnæ narrower. _sori_ midway
between the midrib and margin; rachis and surfaces naked or
slightly pubescent; texture coriaceous. Temperate South America,
1841. Greenhouse species.

=B. Lanceola= (lance-leaved). _rhiz._ slender, creeping,
stoloniferous. _sti._ slender, erect, 2in. to 4in. long. _fronds_
lanceolate, undivided, 4in. to 6in. long, 1/2in. broad, or less,
narrowed gradually from the centre towards each end. Tropical
America, 1820. Stove species.

=B. L. trifoliatum= (three-leaved). _fronds_ furnished with one or
two pairs of small oblong-obtuse lateral pinnæ at the base of the
large terminal one. Stove variety. (H. S. F. 3, 94.)

=B. longifolium= (long-leaved).* _rhiz._ slender, creeping. _sti._
firm, erect, nearly naked, 6in. to 12in. long. _fronds_ 6in. to
9in. long, with a terminal pinna, and three to six lateral ones
on each side, which are 3in. to 5in. long, and 1/2in. broad,
narrowed gradually towards the point. _sori_ in broad lines close
to the midrib; texture coriaceous. Tropical America, 1820. _B. l.
fraxineum_ is a variety found in gardens under the name of _B.
fraxiniifolium_, with a habit more close than the type; pinnæ
six to eight on a side, sometimes 1in. broad. _B. intermedium_
(Link.) and _B. gracile_ (Kaulf.), often seen in gardens, are
slender-growing varieties of this rather variable stove species.

=B. nitidum= (shining).* _sti._ stout, erect, naked, 3in. to 4in.
long. _fronds_ oblong-lanceolate, 1ft. or more long, 4in. to 6in.
broad; pinnæ numerous, sub-falcate, linear, 3in. to 4in. long,
1/4in. to 1/2in. broad, narrowed gradually towards the point,
dilated and connected at the base; edge undulate-dentate; texture
coriaceous; both surfaces smooth. Stove species. The variety
_contractum_, often seen in gardens, has its pinnæ contracted, and
the edge much undulated. Brazil. (H. S. F. 3, 55.)

=B. occidentale= (western).* _cau._ stout, erect, scaly at the
top. _sti._ 6in. to 12in. long, erect, scaly below. _fronds_
ovate-acuminate, 9in. to 18in. long, 4in. to 8in. broad, with
twelve to twenty-four linear pinnæ on each side, which are 2in. to
4in. long, and about 3/4in. broad, narrowed gradually to a point,
truncate or cordate; texture coriaceous. West Indies, southwards to
Chili and South Brazil, 1823. A very handsome stove or greenhouse
fern.

=B. o. multifidum= (much-cut).* A pretty variety, said to have been
introduced from Dominica; the apices of the pinnæ are copiously
crested and tasselled, rendering it very desirable. Stove variety.

=B. orientale= (oriental).* _cau._ stout, erect, clothed at the
crown with dark brown scales. _sti._ 4in. to 8in. long, strong,
erect, scaly below. _fronds_ 1ft. to 3ft. long, 6in. to 12in.
broad, ovate, with very numerous nearly contiguous pinnæ on each
side, which are 4in. to 8in. long, and about 3/4in. broad, narrowed
to a long point. Australia, northwards to South China and the
Himalayas. Greenhouse.

=B. polypodioides= (Polypodium-like). A synonym of _B. unilaterale_.

=B. serrulatum= (saw-edged).* _cau._ elongated, stout, ascending.
_sti._ 6in. to 12in. long, strong, erect, smooth, nearly naked.
_fronds_ oblong-acuminate, 1ft. to 2ft. long, 6in. to 9in. broad,
with twelve to twenty-four pairs of quite distinct articulated
linear oblong pinnæ on each side, which are about 4in. to 5in.
long, 1/2in. broad, narrowed gradually towards the point, and
downwards to a narrow base, the margins finely incised. Florida,
&c., 1819. Stove or greenhouse. SYN. _B. striatum_. (H. S. F. 3,
159.)

=B. striatum= (striped). A synonym of _B. serrulatum_.

=B. unilaterale= (one-sided).* _cau._ elongated, densely scaly
at the crown. _sti._ slender, erect, 1in. to 4in. long, slightly
scaly below. _fronds_ lanceolate, 6in. to 12in. long, 1-1/2in. to
2in. broad; pinnæ numerous, spreading horizontally, linear, 3/4in.
to 1in. long, central ones 1/4in. to 3/8in. broad, point usually
mucronate; edge entire, or nearly so, the lower part dilated to a
broad base. _sori_ in a line close to the midrib. Tropical America,
1829. Widely distributed. Stove or greenhouse species. SYN. _B.
polypodioides_, under which name it is usually found in gardens.

=BLECHUM= (a Greek name for an unknown plant, supposed to resemble Marjoram). ORD. _Acanthaceæ_. Stove herbaceous perennials. For culture, &c., _see_ =Justicia=.

=B. Brownei= (Browne's). _fl._ white, in a dense bracteated spike,
which is four-cornered; bracts ovate, downy. Summer. _l._ ovate
elliptical, somewhat toothed. _h._ 2ft. West Indies, 1780. The
other species introduced are: _angustifolium_, blue; _braziliense_,
blue; and _laxiflorum_, white.

=BLEPHARIS= (from _blepharis_, the eyelash; in reference to the fringed bracts of the calyx). ORD. _Acanthaceæ_. Dwarf shrubs or herbs, often spiny and woody, allied to _Acanthus_. Flowers in bracteate spikes; calyx cruciately four-parted, bracteate; upper segment entire, three-nerved; lower, two-nerved; corolla-tube very short; lip five-lobed, three lobes often much larger than the others; stamens four, sub-didynamous. For culture, &c., _see_ =Acanthus=.

=B. boerhaaviæfolia= (Boerhaavia-leaved). _fl._ blue. July. _l._
usually four in a whorl, elliptic, toothed. _h._ 1ft. India, 1829.
Stove annual.

=B. capensis= (Cape Colony).* _fl._ blue. July. _l._ narrow,
lanceolate, spinose. _h._ 1ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1816. Greenhouse
biennial.

=B. furcata= (forked-spined). _fl._ blue. July. _l._ lanceolate,
entire or spiny; bracts large, strongly spinose. _h._ 2ft. Cape of
Good Hope, 1846. Greenhouse evergreen shrub.

=B. linearifolia= (narrow-leaved). _fl._ blue. July. _l._ long,
entire, linear, glabrous or hairy, not spiny. _h._ 2ft. Guinea,
1823. Stove annual.

=B. procumbens= (trailing).* _fl._ blue. July. _l._ linear
lanceolate, spiny. _h._ 1ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1825. Greenhouse
evergreen trailer.

=BLEPHILIA= (from _blepharis_, the eyelash; in allusion to the ciliated bracts). ORD. _Labiatæ_. Ornamental hardy perennials, closely allied to _Monarda_, but differing from it in the calyx tube having thirteen instead of fifteen nerves, and being naked in the throat, while the corollas are much smaller and more dilated. They are of easy culture in ordinary soil. Increased readily by dividing the roots in early spring.

=B. ciliata= (ciliated). _fl._ blue; whorls all distinct; bracts
ciliated, reddish at top. July. _l._ almost sessile, ovate-oblong,
narrowed at the base, canescent beneath. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. North
America, 1798.

=B. hirsuta= (hairy). _fl._ purple or blue; whorls more numerous
than in the preceding; upper ones approximate. July. _l._
petiolate, ovate, roundly cordate at the base, hairy on both
surfaces. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. Virginia, 1798. Habit more branched and
loose than in _B. ciliata_.

=BLESSED THISTLE.= _See_ =Cnicus benedictus=, properly =Carbenia benedicta=.

=BLETIA= (in honour of Don Louis Blet, a Spanish botanist). ORD. _Orchideæ_. A large genus of, for the most part, stove terrestrial orchids. Flowers purple or whitish, in terminal racemes. Leaves narrow, grass-like. Pseudo-bulbs round, flattened. The flowers are freely produced when the plants are thoroughly established, and are valuable for bouquets, as well for their pleasing colour as for the time they last in perfection. Bletias thrive best in a compost of loam and leaf mould. About 2in. of crocks, covered with a layer of moss, should be placed in the bottom of the pot, which should be filled to within 1in. of the top with soil. The bulbs should then be inserted, and just covered. A good supply of water during the growing season is necessary, and only a moderate amount of heat. After growth has ceased, a period of rest is required, during which time very little water should be given. Propagation is effected by divisions, which should be made after the plants have finished flowering, or previous to their starting into growth.

=B. campanulata= (bell-shaped). _fl._ deep purple, with a white
centre, lasting a considerable time in perfection. Mexico.

=B. florida= (florid).* _fl._ pale rose-coloured; lip not spurred.
July and August. _h._ 2ft. West Indies, 1786. A very pretty
species. (B. R. 1401.)

=B. gracilis= (slender). _fl._ pale greenish-white; sepals and
petals nearly equal, lanceolate, acuminate; lip red and yellow;
scape simple. _l._ oblong, lanceolate, plicate. _h._ 1-1/2in.
Mexico, 1830. (B. R. 1681.)

=B. hyacinthina= (Hyacinth-like).* _fl._ purple, racemose; lip not
spurred, beardless; scape about as long as the leaves. March to
June. _l._ lanceolate. _h._ 1ft. China, 1802. This pretty species
has proved to be quite hardy. (Garden, Nov., 1879.)

=B. patula= (spreading-flowered). _fl._ purple, spreading; scape
tall, branched. March. _l._ lanceolate. _h._ 2ft. Hayti, 1830. (B.
M., 3518.)

=B. Shepherdii= (Shepherd's).* _fl._ on branching spikes, purple,
marked down the centre of the lip with yellow. Winter. _l._ long,
lanceolate, dark green. Jamaica, 1825. (B. M. 3319.)

=B. Sherrattiana= (Sherratt's).* _fl._ about a dozen on a spike,
rich rosy purple; petals very broad, twice the breadth of the
sepals; lip deep purple in front, marked with white and yellow down
the centre. _l._ three to four-plicate. Pseudo-bulbs depressed. New
Grenada, 1867. (B. M. 5646.)

=B. verecunda= (modest). _fl._ purple; lip not spurred. January.
_h._ 3ft. West Indies, Mexico, &c., 1733. (B. M. 930.)

=BLIGHIA SAPIDA.= The Akee Tree. This is now included under the genus =Cupania= (which _see_).

=BLIGHT=, or =BLAST=. Applied to various diseases of plants which are caused or accelerated either by the presence of parasitic fungi or insects, or by atmospheric influence. Blight generally proves fatal to the whole or part of the subject attacked.

=BLIND.= A term applied to plants which fail to produce central buds. The defect is frequently noticeable in the Cabbage, and other plants of the _Brassica_ tribe; and is, perhaps, mainly due to the attacks of insects in a very early stage. Great care should therefore be exercised in keeping the seed beds clear of insect pests, by the application of ashes, lime, and soot, or spent hops.

=BLOOD FLOWER.= _See_ =Hæmanthus=.

=BLOODROOT.= _See_ =Sanguinaria canadensis=.

=BLOOM.= A fine powder-like substance found on Grapes, Cucumbers, Plums, &c., and varying in colour in the different subjects. It should be carefully protected, as it improves the appearance of the fruit. The term is also generally used-although incorrectly-as the plural of blossom.

=BLOSSOM.= The flower of a plant, or the essential organs of reproduction, with their appendages.

=BLUE-BELLS.= _See_ =Campanula rotundifolia= and =Scilla nutans=.

=BLUE-BOTTLE.= _See_ =Centaurea Cyanus=.

=BLUE GUM TREE.= _See_ =Eucalyptus globulus=.

=BLUETS.= The French name for _Centaurea Cyanus_. _See also_ =Houstonia cœrulea= and =Vaccinium angustifolium=.

=BLUMENBACHIA= (in honour of John Frederick Blumenbach, M.D., Professor of Medicine at Göttingen, and distinguished as a comparative anatomist). ORD. _Loasaceæ_. Elegant branched, climbing or trailing, annual, biennial, or perennial herbs, generally covered with stinging hairs, which are very objectionable. Flowers axillary, solitary, bracteate, very pretty and interesting. Leaves opposite, lobed. They are of easy culture in ordinary garden soil. Propagated by seeds, which should be sown in pots, in spring, and placed in a gentle heat, where they will germinate in about a fortnight. When the seedlings are large enough, and after having been previously hardened off, they may be planted out in their blooming quarters, or potted on and trained to a trellis.

=B. chuquitensis= (Chuquitan).* _fl._ solitary, axillary, with five
to ten boat-shaped red petals, which are yellow within. September.
_l._ oblong-lanceolate, pinnate; segments pinnatifidly lobed. Peru,
1863. Half-hardy climbing perennial. See Fig. 257. (B. M. 6143.)

=B. contorta= (twisted).* _fl._ orange-red, with cup-shaped green
scales within. July. _l._ oblong-ovate, pinnatifid; lobes incisely
toothed. Peru. Greenhouse climber, but may be grown against a wall,
out of doors, during the summer. (B. M. 6134.)

=B. coronata= (crowned).* _fl._ of pure glossy whiteness,
quadrangular, crown-shaped, 2in. in diameter each way. June. _l._
narrow, bipinnatifid, cut into small segments. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Chili,
1872. This is an elegant dwarf, tufted, erect biennial, with the
pure white blooms imbedded in the metallic lustrous foliage. SYN.
_Caiophora coronata_. See Fig. 258.

=B. insignis= (remarkable).* _fl._ with whitish petals and
reddish-yellow scales, axillary, on long peduncles, about 1in. in
diameter. July. _l._, lower ones five to seven-lobed; upper ones
deeply bipinnatifid. _h._ 1ft. Chili, 1826. Hardy annual trailer.
SYN. _Loasa palmata_. (B. M. 2865.)

=BOBARTIA= (named after Jacob Bobart, Professor of Botany at Oxford in the seventeenth century). ORD. _Irideæ_. A small genus of greenhouse or hardy bulbous plants, closely allied to _Sisyrinchium_. The species in cultivation are very pretty hardy plants, but require protection from severe frosts and excessive rains. They thrive best in a warm, light soil, and make pretty plants for rockwork. Propagated by separating the offsets during autumn. This genus has been much misunderstood. Among the plants which have been referred to it are some which now find places in the genera _Aristea_, _Sisyrinchium_, _Homeria_, _Marica_, _Moræa_, &c., &c.

=B. aurantiaca.= _See_ =Homeria aurantiaca=.

=B. gladiata= (sword-shaped). _fl._ yellow, thinly sprinkled with
purple dots near the centre, handsome, nearly 2in. across. _l._
linear, ensiform, narrow, slightly glaucous, 1ft. or more in
length. 1817. SYN. _Marica gladiata_. (B. R. 229.)

=B. spathacea= (rush-like). _l._ rush-like, several feet in length;
flower-stem as long as leaves, bearing near extremity a cluster of
pale yellow flowers, with narrow segments. Each flower lasts but
one day; as a good many, however, are developed in each spathe,
there is a succession which lasts some time. 1832. SYN. _Xyris
altissima_. (L. B. C. 1900.)

=BOCCONIA= (named after Paolo Bocconi, M.D., a Sicilian botanist, author of the "Museum des Plantes," and "Histoire Naturelle de l'Ile de Corse," &c.). ORD. _Papaveraceæ_. Two of the species are greenhouse or half-hardy shrubs. Flowers inconspicuous, in terminal panicles, with the branches and branchlets each furnished with one bract. Leaves stalked, glaucous, large, lobed. This genus does not well agree with the rest of _Papaveraceæ_, from its having one-seeded capsules and apetalous flowers. _B. cordata_ is a handsome, hardy, herbaceous plant, with a stately habit and finely-cut foliage, and, where bold subjects are desired, few will be found superior to it. As an isolated specimen on the lawn, or by frequented walks, where it will not be too closely surrounded by tall plants, it may be grown with marked effect. It also forms a good subject for pot culture, and is largely used for sub-tropical bedding. The soil most suitable for its culture is a good fat loam, of considerable depth. Propagated by cuttings, taken from the axils of the larger leaves, during early summer; or by young suckers, taken from established plants, during summer, as they will then flower the following season. If the former method is employed, the cuttings should be pushed on, so that there are plenty of roots before the winter sets in. The other two species require greenhouse culture; but both are eminently suited for sub-tropical gardening, in any light rich soil, or well-drained and airy situation. They are best propagated by seeds, sown in a hotbed in spring, the seedlings being placed out from June to September.

=B. cordata= (cordate).* _fl._ buff-coloured, very numerous,
borne in very large terminal panicles; individually they are not
showy, but the fully grown inflorescence has a very distinct and
pleasing appearance. Summer. _l._ large, reflexed, deeply-veined,
roundish-cordate; margins lobed or sinuated. Stems growing rather
close together, thickly set with leaves. _h._ 5ft. to 8ft. China,
1795, and 1866. Mr. Robinson recommends its being grown in the
angle of two walls which shelter it from the north and east. It
runs quickly at the roots, and the suckers may be cut off to the
benefit of the parent plant; each sucker will form a strong plant
in a year's time. SYNS. _B. japonica_ and _Macleaya yedoënsis_. See
Fig. 259. (B. M. 1905.)

=B. frutescens= (shrubby).* _fl._ greenish. October. _l._ large,
sea-green, oval-oblong, cuneated at the base, pinnatifid. _h._ 3ft.
to 6ft. Mexico, 1739. (L. B. C. 83.)

=B. integrifolia= (entire-leaved). _fl._ greenish; panicle crowded.
_l._ flat, oblong, tapering towards each end, entire, or scarcely
crenated. _h._ 9ft. Peru, 1822.

=B. japonica= (Japanese). Synonymous with _B. cordata_.

=BœBERA= (named after Bœber, a Russian botanist). ORD. _Compositæ_. A genus of evergreen greenhouse shrubs, now generally referred to _Dysodia_. They are of easy culture, thriving in ordinary garden soil. Propagated by cuttings, made of young, rather firm, shoots, and placed in sand, under a glass. There are several other species besides the one given below, but they are not of much horticultural value.

=B. incana= (hoary).* _fl.-heads_ golden; peduncles one-headed.
November. _l._ pinnate, rather hairy; leaflets linear acute,
channelled, some entire, and some trifid. Stem hairy. _h._ 1-1/2ft.
Mexico, 1828. (B. R. 1602.)

=BœHMERIA= (named after George Rudolph Bœhmer, a German botanist). ORD. _Urticaceæ_. A genus of shrubs or herbaceous plants, allied to _Urtica_, from which it is distinguished in not having stinging hairs. _B. nivea_ is the only species having any horticultural value. This thrives best in a warm, sandy soil; and is increased by divisions.

=B. nivea= (snowy). _fl._ greenish, disposed in spikes. _l._
broadly cordate, about 6in. long by 4in. broad, terminating in a
long slender point; edges serrate, covered on the under side with a
dense coating of white down. _h._ 3ft. to 4ft. China. A shrub-like
perennial, rather more curious than beautiful.

=BOG BEAN.= _See_ =Menyanthes trifoliata=.

=BOG-EARTH.= _See_ =Peat=.

A A, Wrought-iron Boiler, the shaded space showing the Waterway; B,
Ashpit inside the cast base of Boiler; C, Fire-bars; D, Flue; E,
Domed Top; F, Feeding Lid; G, Flow, and H, Return Pipe Sockets.
]