Salpiglossis, from two Greek words, signifying a trumpet and a tongue, in allusion to the tubular, yet tongue-shaped, extremity of the style.

The genus contains many varieties of ornamental plants, originally from Chili.

In their native habitats they are perennials; but here a biennial in the green-house, or a tender annual in the open air. They succeed finely if the plants are started in a frame, flowering in July and August; from one and a half to two feet high.

Salpiglossis atropurpurea is extremely beautiful; being altogether of a fine, rich, dark-velvety puce color. The flowers of all the varieties are funnel-shaped, something after the fashion of the Petunia, but not so broad.

S. straminea has pure yellow flowers.

S. Barclayana and hybrida are iron-brown, and yellow veined with brown.

S. sinuata, flowers dark blood color, veined or striped. S. picta has beautiful striped flowers.

The best soil is a mixture of loam and sand, enriched with rotted horse-manure and a little leaf mould. In a heavy garden soil it will not succeed so well.

The green-house is the proper situation for this pretty flower.