Two valuable varieties of this old and useful plant have been introduced within the last year and a half. One named imperialis is especially valuable. The flowers are almost twice as large as those of the ordinary form, and in color are the brightest orange-red. In size and strength the plant itself is also much superior. Some specimens planted out in a border in the cool succulent house at Kew are over three feet high. The other variety is called mac-ulata, on account of the three inner segments of the perianth having a reddish-brown blotch near the base, which adds greatly to the effect. The flowers are much larger than those of the type. It was found in the southeastern portion of Cape Colony, near Algoa Bay. Like the typical form, both these varieties will probably bear several degrees of frost, but where the winters are especially severe the roots may be taken up in late autumn and stored away until spring. Treated as cool greenhouse plants and given liberal conditions, they prove very effective.