Chapter I: Part 1

THE

BOTANICAL MAGAZINE;

OR,

Flower-Garden Displayed:

IN WHICH

The most Ornamental FOREIGN PLANTS, cultivated in
the Open Ground, Green-House and the Stove, are accurately
represented in their natural Colours.

TO WHICH ARE ADDED,

Their Names, Class, Order, Generic and Specific Characters,
according to the celebrated LINNÆUS; their place of
Growth, and Times of Flowering:

TOGETHER WITH

THE MOST APPROVED METHODS OF CULTURE.

A WORK

Intended for the Use of such LADIES,
GENTLEMEN, and GARDENERS, as wish to become
scientifically acquainted with the Plants they cultivate.

By _WILLIAM CURTIS_,

Author of the FLORA LONDINENSIS.

VOL. X.

"What nature, alas! has denied
"To the delicate growth of our isle,
"Art has in a measure supplied;
"E'en Winter is deck'd with a smile."

COWPER.

_LONDON_

PRINTED BY STEPHEN COUCHMAN,

For W. CURTIS, N^o 3, _St. George's-Crescent_, Black-Friars-Road; And Sold by the principal Booksellers in Great-Britain and Ireland.

MDCCXCVI.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

325 JUSTICIA NASUTA.

326 MESEMBRYANTHEMUM VIRIDIFLORUM.

327 CHRYSANTHEMUM INDICUM.

328 TRIFOLIUM INCARNATUM.

329 ONONIS NATRIX.

330 SIDA CRISTATA.

331 KALMIA ANGUSTIFOLIA.

332 OENOTHERA FRUTICOSA.

333 CERINTHE MAJOR.

334 HYPERICUM MONOGYNUM.

335 ONONIS ROTUNDIFOLIA.

336 LOTUS HIRSUTUS.

337 PRUNELLA GRANDIFLORA.

338 ALLAMANDA CATHARTICA.

339 ARUM TRILOBATUM.

340 POLYGALA HEISTERIA.

341 SCILLA AMÆNA.

342 ERICA PERSOLUTA.

343 ANTHOLYZA CUNONIA.

344 ASPALATHUS PEDUNCULATA.

345 POLYGALA BRACTEOLATA.

346 PROTEA MELLIFERA.

347 OENOTHERA ROSEA.

348 CALCEOLARIA FOTHERGILLII.

349 SOLANUM LACINIATUM.

350 ERICA VENTRICOSA.

351 SAXIFRAGA MUTATA.

352 OENOTHERA PURPUREA.

353 MAHERNIA INCISA.

354 MIMULUS AURANTIACUS.

355 OENOTHERA PUMILA.

356 ERICA MASSONI.

357 BRIZA MAXIMA.

358 ERICA BACCANS.

359 CONVOLVULUS ALTHÆOIDES.

360 HIBISCUS SPECIOSUS.

INDEX: Latin Names of the Plants.

INDEX: English Names of the Plants.

INDEX: Latin Names of the Plants contained in the first Ten
Volumes.

INDEX: English Names of the Plants contained in the first Ten
Volumes.

INDEX: Hardy Trees contained in the first Ten Volumes.

INDEX: Hardy Shrubs contained in the first Ten Volumes.

INDEX: Hardy Herbaceous Perennial Plants contained in the first
Ten Volumes.

INDEX: Annual and Biennial Plants contained in the first Ten
Volumes.

INDEX: Greenhouse Plants contained in the first Ten Volumes.

INDEX: Stove Plants contained in the first Ten Volumes

INDEX: Plants contained in the first Ten Volumes arranged
according to the System of LINNÆUS.

[325]

JUSTICIA NASUTA. DICHOTOMOUS JUSTICIA.

_Class and Order._

DIANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ ringens. _Caps._ 2-locularis: seminum retinaculis
2-valvis: valvis longitudinalibus unciculatis. _Stamina_
anthera solitaria.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

JUSTICIA _nasuta_ foliis lanceolato-ovatis integerrimis
pedunculis dichotomis. _Linn. Sp. Pl. Ed. 3. p. 23. Syst.
Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 63._

PULCOLLI _Rheed. Mal. 9. p. 135. t. 69._

This species of Justicia, long since figured in the _Hortus Malabaricus_, and described in the _Species Plantarum_ of LINNÆUS, has been introduced to the Royal Garden at Kew, since the publication of the _Hortus Kewensis_, by Mr. AITON: it is a stove plant, producing, almost the year through, abundance of flowers, distinguished not less for their singularity than their snowy whiteness; the following description, taken from the living plant, is fuller than that of LINNÆUS in the _Sp. Pl._

DESCR. Stalk shrubby, somewhat angular, three feet or more in height, green, very much branched, slightly pubescent; Leaves opposite, standing on short footstalks, ovato-lanceolate, running out to a short blunt point, entire, veiny, a little downy; Peduncles from the alæ of the leaves, alternate, dichotomous, two small bracteæ are placed at each bifurcation; Flowers pure white, inodorous; Calyx composed of five lanceolate, entire leaves, continuing; these, as well as the whole of the plant, are beset with minute transparent globules, visible with a magnifier. Corolla deciduous, tube linear, grooved, pale green, slightly villous, bending a little upward; upper lip very narrow, bent back, bifid at the extremity, the edges toward the base rolled back, so as to make it appear in that part almost tubular; lower lip depending, trifid, segments equal, obtuse at the base, round the mouth of the tube marked with fine purple dots; Filaments two, short, projecting from the mouth of the tube, finally bending back; Antheræ at first yellow, afterwards livid; Germen oblong, smooth; Style capillary, slightly hairy; Stigma bifid.

The plant is increased by cuttings; in the _Hort. Malab._ the bruised leaves are described as in use for the cure of cutaneous eruptions.

[326]

MESEMBRYANTHEMUM VIRIDIFLORUM. GREEN-FLOWERED FIG-MARIGOLD.

_Class and Order._

ICOSANDRIA PENTAGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-fidus. _Petala_ numerosa linearia. _Caps._ carnosa
infera polysperma.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

MESEMBRYANTHEMUM _viridiflorum_ foliis semicylindraceis
papuloso-pilosis, calycibus quinquefidis hirsutis. _Ait. Kew.
v. 2. p. 196. Haworth Mesemb. p. 199. Syst. Nat. ed. Gmel.
p. 848._

Of the seventy species of Mesembryanthemum described in the _Hortus Kewensis_, this is the only one with green flowers.

Mr. MASSON introduced it from the Cape in 1774.

The flowers are not only remarkable for their colour, but the extreme fineness of the florets; they begin to come forth in July, and continue to be produced till the end of September; the plant is easily increased by cuttings, is of ready growth, and blows freely.

In Mr. HAWORTH's _Observations on the Genus Mesembryanthemum_, lately published, there is a very ample description of it, to which we refer such of our readers as wish for more minute information respecting it.

[327]

CHRYSANTHEMUM INDICUM. INDIAN CHRYSANTHEMUM.

_Class and Order._

SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA.

_Generic Character._

_Recept._ nudum. _Pappus_ marginatus. _Cal._ hemisphæricus,
imbricatus: squamis marginalibus membranaceis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

CHRYSANTHEMUM _indicum_ foliis simplicibus ovatis sinuatis
angulatis serratis acutis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr.
p. 773. Spec. Pl. 1253. Thunb. Jap. p. 320._

TSJETTI-PU. _Rheed. Mal. t. 44._

MATRICARIA sinensis. _Rumph. Amb. p. 259. t. 91._

MATRICARIA japonica maxima flore roseo sive suave rubente
pleno elegantissimo. _Breyn. Prod. p. 66?_

KIK, KIKF, vel KIKKU. _Kœmpf. Amæn. Ex. p. 875._

We rejoice in the opportunity afforded us, of presenting our readers with the coloured engraving of a plant recently introduced to this country, which, as an ornamental one, promises to become an acquisition highly valuable.

This magnificent species of Chrysanthemum, which we have hitherto seen only in the collection of Mr. COLVILL, Nurseryman, King's-Road, Chelsea, began to flower with him early in November last, 1795; and as there were many buds on the plant, at that time, yet unopened, it appeared as if it would continue to flower during the early part of the winter at least.

It is a plant of strong growth; the stem rising to the height of two or three feet, somewhat woody, much branched, beset with numerous leaves, having some resemblance to those of Mugwort, of a greyish hue; the flowers, on being smelt to, discover an agreeable fragrance, they are produced on the summits of the branches in a loose sort of cluster (those which terminate the main stem, grow to the size of a large carnation) of a dark purple colour; they are, it is to be observed, double, or rather between semidouble and double; the florets of the radius at first perfectly tubular or quilled, as they advance split gradually downward on the inside, their outside is of a greyish tint, which being visible in most of the florets, especially the younger ones, gives them a particoloured appearance; these florets do not so completely occupy the receptacle but that room is left for a few others in the centre, of a different form, and yellow colour, which, on examination, appear to have their parts perfect, as indeed do those of the radius; the receptacle is beset with membranous paleæ or chaffy scales, a circumstance which would lead us to consider this plant rather as an _Anthemis_ than a _Chrysanthemum_, of which it has the calyx, with the foliage of _Mugwort_.

New as this plant is to us, it appears to have been cultivated in China for ages: LINNÆUS, who describes it in his _Species Plantar._ refers us to a figure in the _Hortus Malabaricus_; this figure, and the description accompanying it, agree generally with our plant, but the flowers are more double, much smaller, less clustered, and do not correspond in point of colour, yet there can be no doubt but our plant is a variety of the same; it is there described as growing in sandy situations, and having green petals.

RUMPHIUS, in his highly interesting work, the _Herbarium Amboinense_ is much more minute in his information; he observes, that these plants were originally brought from China, where they flower in May and June; that there are two sorts principally cultivated in India, the white and yellow-flowered, and a third sort, differing only in the colour of its flowers which are red (the variety, as we suppose, here figured) began to be known among them at Amboyna; the flowers there do not expand well, owing to their being produced at the rainy season, and they decay without producing any seed.

He tells us further, that it is cultivated chiefly for pleasure; that the natives and the Dutch plant it only in the borders of their gardens, in which it does not succeed so well as in pots; and that, if it remains more than two years in the same spot, it degenerates, becomes less woody, and often wholly perishes; that the Chinese, by whom it is held in high estimation, pay great attention to its culture; they set it in pots and jars, and place it before the windows of their apartments, and that it is not unusual for them when they invite their friends to an entertainment to decorate their tables with it; on those occasions, he that produces the largest flower, is considered as conferring the greatest honour on his guests; besides these three varieties already mentioned, they have a fourth, which is more rare, whose flowers are of a greenish ash colour (is not this the var. figured in the _Hort. Malab._?) all these varieties growing in separate pots, they place in certain quarters which they particularly wish to decorate, and the effect they produce is highly pleasing: in the cultivation of this plant they spare no pains, the shorter it is and the larger its flowers, the more it is esteemed; to make it dwarfish, and at the same time productive of flowers, they check its growth; for, if suffered to grow rude, it assumes a wild nature, and produces little but leaves when it is coming into flower, of the three blossoms which usually terminate each branch, they pluck off two, and thus the remaining flower grows larger; by this, and other management, they cause the flowers to grow to the breadth of one's hand: he enumerates still a fifth sort with white flowers, which is extremely rare, and smaller than the others, called _Tsehuy say si_, that is the _drunken woman_; its flowers morning and evening flag, and hang down as if debilitated by intoxication, in the middle of the day they become erect, and follow the course of the sun; but this (most probably a distinct species) is not exported from China. Finally, he remarks, that the Chinese and Malays are so attached to these flowers, that they even decorate their hair with them.

THUNBERG, in his _Flora Japonica_, enumerates it among the natives of that country, and describes it as growing spontaneously in Papenberg, near Nagasaki, and elsewhere, observing, that it is cultivated for the extreme beauty of its flowers in gardens and houses throughout the whole empire of Japan, and that the flowers vary infinitely in point of colour, size, and plenitude. KÆMPFER's account of it in his _Amæn. Exot._ is very similar.

This Chrysanthemum appears to be a hardy greenhouse plant, and it is highly probable that, like the _Camellia_ and _Aucuba_, it will bear the cold of our mild winters without injury.

As it flowers so late, there is but little prospect of its producing seeds with us, but it may be increased by cuttings, and parting of the roots.

[328]

TRIFOLIUM INCARNATUM. CRIMSON TREFOIL.

_Class and Order._

DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Flores_ subcapitati. _Legumen_ vix calyce longius non
dehiscens deciduum.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

TRIFOLIUM _incarnatum_ spicis villosis oblongis obtusis
aphyllis, foliolis subrotundis crenatis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab.
ed. 14. Murr. p. 689. Ait. Kew. v. 3. p. 87._

TRIFOLIUM spica rotunda rubra. _Bauh. Pin. p. 328._

LAGOPUS maximus flore rubro. The greatest Haresfoot. _Park.
Th. p. 1106. f. 1._

TRIFOLIUM album incarnatum spicatum f. Lagopus maximus. _Bauh.
Hist. 2. p. 376._

Of the annual species of _Trifolium_ cultivated by the curious here, this is one of the largest, as well as one of the most shewy; the blossoms in the plants which we have had an opportunity of observing, have been of a bright crimson colour, and have therefore corresponded badly with the name of _incarnatum_, originally applied to the plant by some of the old botanists, and adopted by LINNÆUS; like other Trefoils with red flowers, the blossoms are doubtless found with different shades of colour, and sometimes wholly white.

It is a native of Italy, a hardy annual, cultivated here by PARKINSON in 1640, flowers in July, and readily ripens its seeds, by which it is easily raised. It appears to have been lost out of this country since its first introduction, as it is not mentioned by MILLER; Mr. AITON enumerates it among the productions of Kew-Garden, and we last summer saw several plants of it raised from foreign seeds flowering in the garden of JOHN SYMMONS, Esq. Paddington-House, Paddington, who has to boast a collection of hardy herbaceous plants superior to most in this country; his readiness to oblige me with specimens for drawing on this occasion, and his various acts of kindness exerted in the promotion of my botanical views, I have to acknowledge with much gratitude.

[329]

ONONIS NATRIX. YELLOW-FLOWERED REST-HARROW.

_Class and Order._

DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-partitus: laciniis linearibus. _Vexillum_ striatum.
_Legumen_ turgidum sessile. _Filamenta_ connata absque fissura.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ONONIS _Natrix_ pedunculis unifloris aristatis, foliis
ternatis viscosis stipulis integerrimis caule fruticoso.
_Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 653. Ait. Kew. v.
3. p. 24._

ANONIS viscosa spinis carens lutea major. _Bauh. Pin. 389._

The _Ononis Natrix_, a plant usually to be met with in all general collections of greenhouse plants, is a native of Spain, and the South of France, where it is said to grow wild in the corn-fields.

The general practice sanctioned by that of Mr. AITON, is to consider this species as tender; Mr. MILLER says it is very hardy, and recommends it to be planted in the open border, a treatment likely to suit it in mild winters; there is, however, one part of his account evidently erroneous, he describes the root as perennial, and the stem as herbaceous, this is not only contrary to LINNÆUS's specific description, but to fact, the stalk being undoubtedly shrubby.

As this plant in the course of a year or two is apt to grow out of form, it is advisable either to renew it frequently by seed, which it produces in abundance, or to keep it closely cut in.

It flowers from the middle of summer till towards the close, and is propagated readily either by seeds or cuttings.

Is no novelty in this country, having been cultivated by Mr. JAMES SUTHERLAND in 1683[1].

[330]

SIDA CRISTATA. CRESTED SIDA.

_Class and Order._

MONADELPHIA POLYANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ simplex, angulatus. _Stylus_ multipartitus. _Caps._
plures 1-spermæ.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

SIDA _cristata_ foliis angulatis, inferioribus cordatis,
superioribus panduriformibus, capsulis multilocularibus. _Sp.
Pl. ed. 3. p. 964. Syst. Veg. ed. 14. Murr. p. 623. Ait.
Kew. v. 2. p. 444. Cavanill. Diss. 1. t. 11. f. 2._

ABUTILON Lavateræ flore, fructu cristato. _Dill. Elth. t. 2._

ANODA hastata. _Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. Gmel. p. 1040._

DILLENIUS has figured and described this plant in his _Hortus Elthamensis_ as an _Abutilon_: LINNÆUS in his _Sp. Pl._ has ranked it with the _Sida_'s, in which he has been followed by Prof. MURRAY, Messrs. AITON and CAVANILLE; but Prof. GMELIN, in the last edition of LINNÆUS' _Syst. Nat._ has made another new genus of it, by the name of _Anoda_; as his reasons for so doing are by no means cogent, we join the majority in continuing it a _Sida_.

It flowered in the garden of Mr. SHERARD, at Eltham, in 1725, and was introduced from Mexico, where it is a native: Mr. AITON considers it a stove plant, as he does the _Tropæolum majus_, and other natives of South-America; strictly speaking they may be such, but if raised early, and treated like other tender annuals, this plant will flower and ripen its seeds in the open ground, as we have experienced at Brompton.

It grows to the height of three feet, or more, producing during the months of July and August a number of blossoms in succession, which are large and shewy; the stigmata in this flower are curious objects, resembling the heads of Fungi in miniature.

[331]

KALMIA ANGUSTIFOLIA. NARROW-LEAV'D KALMIA.

_Class and Order._

DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-partitus. _Cor._ hypocrateriformis, limbo subtus
quinque corni. _Caps._ 5-locularis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

KALMIA _angustifolia_ foliis lanceolatis, corymbis
lateralibus. _Linn. Syst. Veget. ed. 14. Murr. p. 404. Ait.
Kew. v. 2. p. 64. Gronov. Fl. Virg. p. 65._

CHAMÆDAPHNE sempervirens, foliis oblongis angustis, foliorum
fasciculis oppositis e foliorum alis. _Catesb. Carol. app. t.
17. f. 1._

LEDUM floribus bullatis fasciculatim ex alis foliorum
oppositis nascentibus, foliis lanceolatis integerrimis
glabris. _Trew. Ehr. t. 38._

In this work we have already given three different species of _Kalmia_, two commonly, and one more rarely cultivated with us, we mean the _hirsuta_, and which indeed we are sorry to find is scarcely to be kept alive in this country by the most skilfull management; to these we now add another species, a native also of North-America, introduced by PETER COLLINSON, Esq. in 1736, two years after he had introduced the _latifolia_; CATESBY mentions its having flowered at Peckham in 1743; it is a low shrub, rarely rising above the height of two feet, growing spontaneously in swampy ground, and flowering with us from May to July; there are two principal varieties of it, one with pale and another with deep red flowers; these two plants differ also in their habits, the red one, the most humble of the two, not only produces the most brilliant flowers, but those in greater abundance than the other; Mr. WHITLEY, who has these plants in great perfection, assures me that it usually blows in the autumn as well as summer.

This shrub is extremely hardy, thriving best in bog earth, and is propagated most commonly by layers.

Like the _latifolia_, it is regarded in America as poisonous to sheep.

[332]

OENOTHERA FRUTICOSA. SHRUBBY OENOTHERA.

_Class and Order._

OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Calix_ 4-fidus. _Petala_ 4. _Capsula_ cylindrica infera.
_Semina_ nuda.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

OENOTHERA _fruticosa_ foliis lanceolatis subdentatis, capsulis
pedicellatis acutangulis, racemo pedunculato. _Linn. Syst.
Veget. ed. 14. Murr. p. 358. Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 4. L'Herit.
Stirp. nov. t. 2. t. 5._

OENOTHERA florum calyce monophyllo, hinc tantum, aperto.
_Gron. virg. 42._

LYSIMACHIA lutea caule rubente, foliis salicis alternis nigro
maculatis, flore specioso amplo, vasculo seminali eleganter
striato insidente, _Clayt. n. 36._

Most of the _Oenothera_ tribe are annual, have large yellow flowers, which open once only, and that in the evening, displaying their beauty, and exhaling their fragrance at a time which will not admit of their being much enjoyed; the present species in some respects deviates from many of the others, the root is perennial, the flowers which are large and shewy, though they open in the evening, remain expanded during most of the ensuing day; the flower-buds, the germen, and the stalk are enlivened by a richness of colour which contributes to render this species one of the most ornamental and desirable of the tribe.

It is a hardy perennial, growing to the height of three or four feet, with us altogether herbaceous, and therefore improperly called _fruticosa_; a native of Virginia, flowering from June to August: was cultivated in 1739 by Mr. MILLER.

May be propagated by seeds, by parting of the roots, and also by cuttings.

[333]

CERINTHE MAJOR. GREAT HONEY-WORT.

_Class and Order._

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Corollæ_ limbus tubulato ventricosus: fauce pervia. _Semina_
2, bilocularia.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

CERINTHE _major_ foliis amplexicaulibus, corollis
obtusiusculis patulis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p.
187. Ait. Kew. v. 1. p. 183._

CERINTHE _glaber_ foliis oblongo-ovatis glabris
amplexicaulibus, corollis obtusiusculis patulis. _Mill. Dict.
ed. 6. 4to._

CERINTHE flore ex rubro purpurascente. _Bauh. pin. p. 258._

CERINTHE major. Great Honiewoort. _Ger. Herb._

Ancient writers on plants, supposing that the flowers of this genus produced abundantly the material of which bees form their wax, gave it the name of _Cerinthe_, which rendered into English would be wax-flower or waxwort, not honeywort, by which the genus has long been, and is now, generally called.

Of this genus there are only two species known, the _major_ and the _minor_, both happily distinguished by the different form of their flowers, a part from which it is not common to draw specific differences, though in some instances they afford the best.

The _major_ varies much, the leaves being sometimes spotted, very rough, and the flowers of a more yellow hue; this is the sort figured by GERARD in his Herbal, who mentions its growing in his garden (1597). MILLER considers this as a species but LINNÆUS, HALLER, AITON, and others, regard it as a variety; our figure represents the _Cerinthe glaber_ of MILLER.

This is an annual, remarkable for the singular colour of its foliage; its flowers, though not very brilliant, possess a considerable share of beauty; both combined render it worthy a place in our gardens, more especially as it is a plant of easy culture, coming up spontaneously from self-sown seeds, and being a native of Switzerland, as well as the more southern parts of Europe, seedling plants produced in the Autumn rarely suffer by our winters. It flowers in July, August, and September.

[334]

HYPERICUM MONOGYNUM. CHINESE ST. JOHN'S-WORT.

_Class and Order._

POLYADELPHIA POLYANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Petala_ 5. _Nect._ 0. _Capsula._

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

HYPERICUM _monogynum_ floribus monogynis, staminibus corolla
longioribus, calycibus coloratis, caule fructicoso. _Linn.
Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 702. Hort. Kew. v. 3. p.
108._

Of this genus 28 species are enumerated in the _Hortus Kewensis_ of Mr. AITON, 42 in Prof. MURRAY's _ed._ of the _Systema Vegetab._ and 64 in Prof. GMELIN's 13th ed. of _Linn. Syst. Nat._ of the latter number 14 are described with 5 styles, 46 with 3, 2 with 2 styles, and 2 with 1; when the term _monogynum_ was first applied to this species, it was a proper one, there being then only one in that predicament, another having since been discovered it ceases to be so now; some have indeed doubted the propriety of using the word _monogynum_ at all, alleging that in reality there are five styles, which manifestly shew themselves above, though they coalesce below; such is the opinion of my friend, Dr. GWYN; this is a point on which Botanists will think differently.

This elegant native of China, now common in our greenhouses, appears from Mr. MILLER to have been first introduced to this country in 1753, by HUGH, Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND; he tells us, that the plants were raised in his Grace's curious garden at Stanwick, from whence the Apothecaries garden at Chelsea was furnished with it.

Mr. MILLER has given us a minute description of this plant, which he observes is the more valuable, as it continues in flower great part of the year; he observes further, that if planted in a very warm situation, it will live in the open air, but that those plants which stand abroad will not flower in winter, as those do which are removed into shelter in autumn.

It may be propagated by slips from the root, or by layers.

[335]

ONONIS ROTUNDIFOLIA. ROUND-LEAVED REST-HARROW.

_Class and Order._

DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-partitus: laciniis linearibus. _Vexillum_ striatum.
_Legumen_ turgidum sessile. _Filamenta_ connata absque fissura.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ONONIS _rotundifolia_ fructicosa, foliis ternatis ovatis
dentatis, calycibus triphyllo-bracteatis, pendunculis
subtrifloris. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 653.
Ait. Kew. v. 3. p. 25._

ONONIS _rotundifolia_ fructicosa, pedunculis trifloris,
calycibus triphyllo-bracteatis, foliis ternatis subrotundis.
_Linn. Sp. Pl. ed. 3. p. 1010._

CICER sylvestre latifolium triphyllum. _Bauh. Pin. 347._

CICER sylvestre tertium. _Dod. Pempt. 525._

Prof. JACQUIN, and most modern writers on Botany, consider the _Ononis_ here figured, as the _rotundifolia_ of LINNÆUS; it accords certainly with the figure of _Dodon._ to which that author refers, but is irreconcileable with his description; the leaves for example are neither _parva_, _integerrima_, nor _glabra_, the words by which LINNÆUS describes them; they are indeed evidently serrated in the figure of _Dodon._ which he quotes: by the name of _rotundifolia_, however, this plant is now very generally known in our nurseries, to which its beauty has gained it admission. LOBEL tells us in his _Adversaria_, printed in 1576, that the plant was then growing in the garden of a Mr. MORGAN; as it is not enumerated in Mr. MILLER's Dictionary, ed. 6, 4to,[2] we suspect that it has been lost out of the country and re-introduced.

Baron HALLER informs us, that it is found wild in abundance at the bottom of the Alps in Switzerland; it is found also in other parts of Europe.

It flowers in our open borders from May to July, in which it ripens its seeds, by which it is in general propagated, as also by slips; it grows to about the height of a foot and a half, is very hardy, and easy of culture.

[336]

LOTUS HIRSUTUS. HAIRY BIRD'S-FOOT-TREFOIL.

_Class and Order._

DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Legumen_ cylindricum striatum. _Alæ_ sursum longitudinaliter
conniventes. _Cal._ tubulosus.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

LOTUS _hirsutus_ capitulis subrotundis, caule erecto hirto,
leguminibus ovatis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p.
691. Ait. Kew. v. 3. p. 93._

LOTUS polyceratos frutescens incana alba, siliquis erectis
crassioribus et brevioribus rectis. _Moris. Hist. 2. p. 177.
s. 2. t. 18. f. 14._

LOTUS pentaphyllos siliquosus villosus. _Bauh. Pin. 332._

The _Lotus hirsutus_, according to LINNÆUS, is a native of the South of France, Italy, and the East.

In mild winters it will bear the open border with us, but it is more generally kept in the greenhouse, of which indeed it has long had possession, being cultivated, according to Mr. AITON, in 1683, by Mr. JAMES SUTHERLAND.

It flowers from June to August.

Its blossoms are of a white colour, which being contrasted with the redness of the calyx, gives them a pleasing appearance; CASP. BAUH. informs us, that they are purple also.

This shrub will acquire the height of several feet; its flowers are usually succeeded by seed-vessels, which in favourable situations produce perfect seeds, by which the plant is easily propagated, as also by cuttings.

[337]

PRUNELLA GRANDIFLORA. GREAT-FLOWERED SELF-HEAL.

_Class and Order._

DIDYNAMIA GYMNOSPERMIA.

_Generic Character._

_Filamenta_ bifurca; altero apice antherifera. _Stigma_
bifidum.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

PRUNELLA _grandiflora_ foliis omnibus ovato oblongis
subserratis, calicis labio superiore profunde trilobo. _Linn.
Syst. Nat. ed. 13. Gmel. p. 920. Jacq. Fl. Austr. v. 4. t.
377._

PRUNELLA prima. _Clus. Hist._ xlii.

PRUNELLA cærulea magno flore. _Bauh. Pin. 261._

The plant here figured, which we have several years cultivated in our garden at Brompton, without discovering in it the least disposition to vary, is undoubtedly the same as is figured by Prof. JACQUIN, in his _Fl. Austr._ under the name of _grandiflora_; he regards it as a distinct species, and as such it is introduced in Prof. GMELIN's ed. of the _Syst. Nat._ of LINNÆUS: Mr. AITON, in his _Hort. Kew._ following LINNÆUS, makes it a variety of the _vulgaris_, a common English plant, which we have never seen to vary much in the size of its flowers.

Prof. JACQUIN informs us, that it grows wild, mixed with the _laciniata_ (a kindred species with yellowish flowers) on the Alps; it is found also in similar situations in various other parts of Europe.

In July and August, it puts forth its large shewy blossoms, of a fine purple colour.

Such as are partial to hardy herbaceous plants, of ready growth, which are ornamental, take up but little room, and are not apt to entrench on their neighbours, will be induced to add this to their collection.

It is propagated by parting its roots in autumn.

[338]

ALLAMANDA CATHARTICA. WILLOW-LEAV'D ALLAMANDA.

_Class and Order._

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

Contorta. _Caps._ lenticularis erecta echinata 1-locularis
polysperma. _Semina_ bractæata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ALLAMANDA _cathartica_. _Linn. Mant. p. 214. Suppl. p. 165.
Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 252. Ait. Kew. V. 3. p. 489._

ORELIA _grandiflora_. _Aubl. Guian. p. 271. t. 106._

This beautiful stove plant (a native of Cayenne and Guiana, where it is said to grow by the sides of rivers) was introduced to this country in 1785, by Baron HAKE[3]; it has since flowered in many of our collections, usually in June and July.

Stem or trunk shrubby, upright, climbing to a considerable height; bark of the old wood pale brown, of the young wood green and smooth; leaves generally growing four together, sometimes only two, and those opposite, sessile, smooth and glossy above, paler green beneath, the midrib on the underside evidently villous, veiny, veins as in _Plumeria_, terminating before they reach the margin, chewed discovering little taste; flowers very large, produced even on young plants, of a fine yellow colour, and somewhat spicy smell, not terminal, but growing from the sides of the branches, sometimes singly, more frequently three or four together, standing on short footstalks; calyx composed of five leaves, lanceolate, smooth, unequal, short compared with the flower; corolla mono-petalous, funnel-shaped, tube nearly cylindrical, limb dilated below and bellying out, on the inside striped with orange-coloured veins, above divided into five segments, which roll over each other before they open, when Open broad, somewhat truncated, one side rounded, the other terminating in a short point; at the base Of the divisions the yellow colour on the inside of the flower becomes nearly white, forming so many spots; the mouth of the tube is perfectly closed with villi converging to a point, and which serve as a covering or species of thatch to five long, pointed, rigid, arrow-shaped antheræ beneath them, which sit on the top of so many ridges, projecting from the inside of the tube, and which just beneath the antheræ are villous; germen nearly round, with a slight ridge on each side of it, surrounded at its base by a greenish glandular substance; style filiform, the length of the tube of the corolla, enlarging as it comes near to the stigma; stigma divisible into three distinct parts, the lowermost of a yellowish hue, in the form of a rim turning downwards, the middle of a dark green colour, secreting honey in considerable quantity; the summit, which perhaps is the true stigma, a short conical point, rising from the centre of the middle part, bifid at top with a furrow running down each side of it; seed-vessels according to the figure in AUBLET, are very large and prickly.

Of this genus, which has a considerable affinity with that of _Vinca_ and _Plumeria_, only one species is described in LINNÆUS's works, and this is usually increased by cuttings.

[339]

ARUM TRILOBATUM. THREE-LOBED ARUM.

_Class and Order._

GYNANDRIA POLYANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Spatha_ monophylla cucullata. _Spadix_ supra nudus, inferne
femineus, medio stamineus.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ARUM _trilobatum_ acaule, foliis sagittato trilobis, flore
sessili. _Linn. Syst. Veget. ed. 14. Murr. p. 828. Ait. Kew.
V. 3. p. 316. Mill. Icon. t. 52. f. 2._

ARISARUM amboynicum. _Rumph. Amb. 5. p. 320. t. 110. f. 2._

Mr. MILLER in his figure of this plant, to which LINNÆUS refers, has been more happy in his representation than in that of many others; RUMPHIUS' figure and description accord also with our plant, some of his leaves indeed are more perfectly three-lobed than any we have seen here on the living plant and to this variation, he informs us, they are subject.

We learn from Mr. MILLER, that roots of this Arum were brought from Ceylon in the year 1752. It flowers in May and June, and is regarded both by Mr. MILLER and Mr. AITON as a stove plant; we have seen it succeed very well with the treatment of a tender greenhouse plant.

It is one of the least of the tribe; its root is like that of the common Arum, and extremely acrid: but the plant is more particularly distinguished by the rich, brown, velvety appearance of its flowers; the length of its tapering spadix, which on its lower part is full of little cavities, and resembles a piece of metal corroded by long exposure; and by the intolerable stench which the whole of the flower, but more especially the spadix, sends forth.

It is a native of Amboyna, as well as of Ceylon. RUMPHIUS informs us that the roots, sometimes eaten raw by mistake, cause violent inflammations of the mouth and throat, and that they do not lose their acrimony even when boiled.

The plant increases freely by offsets from its roots.

[340]

POLYGALA HEISTERIA. HEATH-LEAVED MILKWORT.

_Class and Order._

DIADELPHIA OCTANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-phyllus: foliolis 2 majoribus alæformibus,
ante maturitatem seminis coloratis. _Capsula_ obcordata
2-locularis, _Semina_ solitaria.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

POLYGALA _Heisteria_ floribus imberbibus lateralibus, caule
arborescente, foliis triquetris mucronato-spinosis. _Linn.
Syst. Veg. ed. 14. Murr. p. 639. Ait. Kew. v. 3. p. 6._

SPARTIUM africanum frutescens ericæ folio. _Comm. Hort. 2. p.
193. t. 97._

THYMBRA capensis nepetæ Theophrasti foliis aculeatis flore
parvo purpureo. _Pluk. Alm. 366. t. 229. f. 5._

HEISTERIA. _Hort. Cliff._ 352.

After receiving various names, this plant has been finally placed by LINNÆUS among the Milkworts; it retains the trivial name of _Heisteria_, instead of the generic one previously bestowed on it, in honour of Prof. HEISTER, the celebrated German Surgeon.

In Holland it appears to have been long since known; but was a stranger here, till introduced from the Cape, by Mr. MASSON, in 1787. _Ait. Kew._

In the course of a few years it becomes a shrub of considerable size, equalling a small furze bush, to which, in its habit, it bears a distant resemblance; and furze-leaved, in our humble opinion, would have been a more expressive name than heath-leaved, which Mr. AITON has given it in accordance with COMMELIN's idea.

The purple of the flowers is brilliant in the extreme, and as those are plentifully produced almost the year through, it has very generally obtained a place in collections of greenhouse plants about London.

It is commonly increased by cuttings, but not easily.

[341]

SCILLA AMÆNA. BYZANTINE SQUILL.

_Class and Order._

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ 6-petala patens, decidua. _Filamenta_ filiformia.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

SCILLA _amæna_ floribus lateralibus alternis subnutantibus,
scapo angulato. _Linn. Syst. Veg. ed. 14. Murr. p. 328. Ait.
Kew. v. 1. p. 444. Jacq. Fl. Austr. v. 3. t. 218._

HYACINTHUS stellaris cæruleus amænus. _Bauh. Pin. 46._

HYACINTHUS stellaris Bizantinus. _Hort. Eyst. Vern. 2d. ord.
fol. 13._

HYACINTHUS stellatus Byzantinus alter sive flore Boraginis.
The other Starry Jacinth of Constantinople. _Park. Parad. p.
128. t. 131. f. 4._

HYACINTHUS stellaris, caulibus pluribus ex eodum bulbo ortis
singulis pluribus floribus oneratis. _Moris. Hist. 2. p. 374.
s. 4. t. 12. f. 17._

The _Scilla amæna_, a hardy bulbous plant of small growth, is a native of the Levant, and has long been cultivated in this country for ornament, being introduced about the year 1600, by ED. Lord ZOUCH, (vid. _Park. Parad. & Lobel. Avers._); when it grows luxuriantly, many flowering stems will spring from the same root, which, when the plant is in flower, are altogether upright; as the seed-vessels advance in size and weight, they bend down, the blossoms are violet-colored, and the germen in the centre of each is distinguished for the paleness of its colour, a character which did not escape the observation of PARKINSON.

It flowers early in May, and, in favourable situations, ripens its seeds in the beginning of June.

Is usually increased by offsets, which are produced in tolerable abundance; will grow in almost any soil or situation; but will succeed best if planted in a sandy loam, and a warm sheltered part of the garden.

Its seeds are of a pale amber colour, and drop soon.

Though Professor JACQUIN figures it in his _Fl. Austriaca_, he suspects that it had originally been introduced from Constantinople.

[342]

ERICA PERSOLUTA. BLUSH-FLOWERED HEATH.

_Class and Order._

OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 4-phyllus. _Cor._ 4-fida. _Filamenta_ receptaculo
inserta. _Antheræ_ bifidæ. _Caps._ 4-locularis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ERICA _persoluta_ antheris aristatis inclusis, corollis
campanulatis, calycibus ciliatis, foliis quaternis. _Linn.
Mant. p. 230.Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 17._

ERICA _subdivaricata_. _Berg. Cap. 114._

ERICA _persoluta_ aristata foliis ternis quaternisque trigonis
glabris, floribus umbellatis, calice ciliato. _Thunb. Prod.
Pl. Cap. p. 73._

The different species and varieties of the African Heaths are now become so numerous, that there is scarcely any period of the year in which some of them may not be found to delight the eye with their blossoms: the _persoluta_ here figured is one of those which flower early in the spring; through the months of March, April and May, its branches are loaded with a profusion of bright purple flowers, which, joined to the lively verdure of its foliage, places it among the most desirable of the tribe.

If suffered to grow, it will form a shrub of considerable height: there is a variety of it, called _alba_, whose flowers are nearly white, yet not wholly divested of a red tinge; to this variety the term blush-coloured, which Mr. AITON has given to the species, seems most applicable.

This heath was introduced, from the Cape, by Mr. MASSON, in 1774. _Ait. Kew._

It is increased without much difficulty from cuttings, and is more easily preserved than many of the others.

[343]

ANTHOLYZA CUNONIA. SCARLET-FLOWERED ANTHOLYZA.

_Class and Order._

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ tubulosa irregularis recurvata. _Caps._ infera.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ANTHOLYZA _Cunonia_ corollis rectis, labii quinquepartiti
lobis duobus externis latioribus adscendentibus. _Linn. Sp.
Pl. ed. 3 p. 54. Ait. Kew. v. 1 p. 66._

ANTHOLYZA _Cunonia_ corollis subpapilionaceis: labii lobis
duobus externis latioribus adscendentibus. _Linn. Syst. Veg.
ed. 14. Murr. p. 87._

ANTHOLYZA _Cunonia_ foliis ensiformibus glabris striatis,
spica oblonga disticha. _Thunb. Prod. Pl. Cap. p. 7._

CUNONIA floribus sessilibus spathis maximis. _Butt. cun. 211.
t. 1._

CUNONIA _Antholyza_. _Mill. Dict._

Amidst that variety of tender bulbous plants which the Cape affords, there are none whose flowers can boast a richer scarlet, than the _Antholyza_ here figured; in their form also, there is a great singularity, and in their mode of growth much elegance; to us indeed it is matter of surprise that this plant should not be more generally cultivated, especially as its culture is attended with so little trouble: Mr. MILLER, who grew it in 1756, has minutely described it in his Dictionary; he informs us, that it is easily propagated by offsets, or raised from seeds; the latter, as the plant flowers in April and May, ripen about the middle of June, and should be sown about the middle of August; the plant with the pot in which it has grown, after it has ripened its seeds, should be set by the shed or some dry place, and in the autumn the largest roots should be selected, and three of them planted in a pot of a moderate size, keeping them in an open frame till the approach of winter, when they are to be removed into the house with other greenhouse plants.

This species is found wild in Persia as well as at the Cape.

[344]

ASPALATHUS PENDUNCULATA. SMALL-LEAVED ASPALATHUS.

_Class and Order._

DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-fidus: lacinia superiore majore. _Legumen_ ovatum
muticum subdispermum.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ASPALATHUS _pendunculata_ foliis fasciculatis subulatis
glabris, pedunculis filiformibus folio duplo longioribus.
_L'Herit. Sert. Angl. t. 26. Ait. Kew. v. 3. p. 16._

Of the five species of Aspalathus enumerated in the _Hortus Kewensis_, four are natives of the Cape; of those, three have been introduced by Mr. MASSON: the _albens_ and _candicans_ in 1774, the present species in 1775.

This is one of the plants figured by Mons. L'HERITIER, in a work of his, entitled _Sertum Anglicum_, containing new species observed by him during his excursion to this country a few years since, most of which flowered in the royal garden at Kew.

It will grow to the height of several feet, produces abundance of blossoms, which open during most of the summer months, and is propagated by cuttings.

[345]

POLYGALA BRACTEOLATA. SPEAR-LEAVED MILKWORT.

_Class and Order._

DIADELPHIA OCTANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-phyllus: foliolis alæformibus coloratis. _Legumen_
obcordatum biloculare.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

POLYGALA _bracteolata_ floribus cristatis racemosis, bractæis
triphyllis, foliis lineari-lanceolatis, caule fruticoso.
_Linn. Syst. Veget. ed. 14. Murr. p. 638. Berg. Cap. 182.
Buxb. Cent. 3. p. 4. t. 71. Ait. Kew. v. 3. p. 4._

To the vast number or ornamental plants introduced from the Cape of Good Hope by Mr. MASSON, we here add another, imported in 1787; when Mr. AITON published his _Hortus Kewensis_, it most probably had not flowered with him, as he does not notice its particular time of blowing: we now see it in most of the Nurserymen's collections of greenhouse plants, flowering from May to July. It is a plant of great singularity and beauty, the purple of its flowers is brilliant in the extreme.

It is increased by cuttings.

[346]

PROTEA MELLIFERA. HONEY-BEARING PROTEA.

_Class and Order._

TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ 4-petala: interdum basi vel apice coherentibus.
_Antheræ_ lineares vel oblongæ petalis infra apicem insertæ.
_Cal._ propius 0. _Nux_ supera, 1-locularis, evalvis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

PROTEA _mellifera_ foliis lanceolato-ellipticis capituloque
terminali oblongo glabris. _Thunb. Prot. n. 37. Linn. Syst.
Veget. ed. 14. Murr. p. 139. Ait. Kew. vol. 1. p. 127._

LEUCADENDRON repens foliis lanceolatis, floribus oblongis,
calycum squamis glabris. _Linn. Sp. Pl. ed. 3. p. 135._

LEPIDOCARPODENDRON foliis angustis brevioribus salignis,
calycis squamis elegantissimi ex roseo aureo albo atro rubro
variegatis, florum plumis albis. _Boerh. Lugd. 2. p. 187._

To a magnificent appearance, the blossom of the Protea joins a structure extremely curious and interesting; but, at the same time, difficult to be understood by students, who are apt to consider the whole as one great simple flower, while in reality it is composed of a number of florets enclosed within a common calyx formed of numerous leaves or scales placed one over the other, and sitting on one common receptacle, being in fact what Botanists term an aggregate flower, approaching indeed near to a compound one, there being in the structure and union of the antheræ a considerable similarity to those of the Syngenesia class, much more so than in the flowers of Plantain, Scabious, Teasel, and others.

The florets of the present species correspond extremely well with the character of the genus Leucadendron in the sixth edition of the _Genera Pl._ of LINNÆUS, but not with that of Protea, as given in the _Hort. Kew._ and _Gmel. ed. Linn. Syst. Nat._ to which it is now united; the corolla being most evidently composed of two (not four) petals, the largest of these is trifid at top, each segment of it, as well as the summit of the smaller petal, terminates in a twisted kind of plume, not peculiar to this species; of the antheræ, which are long, linear, and form a kind of cylinder, three are attached to the largest petal, the fourth (which appears to be less perfect than the others) to the smaller petal; the germen is enveloped with numerous orange-coloured hairs, having the gloss of the richest sattin; the antheræ terminate in small appendages of a brown colour.

This magnificent shrub, a principal ornament of the Cape-House at Kew, is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, from whence it was introduced by Mr. MASSON, in 1774 (_Ait. Kew._); it flowers chiefly in the Spring, and often during the Summer; is propagated principally by layers.

Our drawing was made from a plant raised from Cape seeds, which flowered this season, among a number of others equally curious, in the collection of Mr. BARR, Nurseryman and Florist, near Ball's-Turnpike, Kingsland.

[347]

OENOTHERA ROSEA. ROSE-COLOURED OENOTHERA.

_Class and Order._

OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 4-fidus. _Petala_ 4. _Caps._ cylindrica infera. _Sem._
nuda.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

OENOTHERA _rosea_ foliis ovatis dentatis, inferioribus
lyratis: capsulis clavatis. _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 3._

OENOTHERA _rosea_. _L'Herit. Stirp. Nov. tom. 2. t. 6._

Of the several different species of this genus growing in our garden at this present writing (eleven in number) two only are of a red or purple colour, the one here figured, and another with a larger flower, which we purpose soon to publish under the name of _purpurea_.

The present species, Mr. AITON informs us, was introduced in 1783 by Mons. THOUIN, from Peru.

It has been considered as a greenhouse plant, and a perennial; we find it to be more hardy than greenhouse plants in general, and scarcely entitled to the distinction of a perennial.

It may be increased by cuttings and seeds, the latter of which are plentifully produced. It rarely exceeds a foot in height; its rose-coloured flowers expand during the whole of the day, and are produced during most of the Summer months.

To guard against accidental severity of weather, sow its seeds in the Spring with tender annuals; when the plants have acquired a proper age and the season is favourable, plant them out singly in the open border.

[348]

CALCEOLARIA FOTHERGILLII. FOTHERGILL'S SLIPPER-WORT.

_Class and Order._

DIANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Corolla_ ringens inflata. _Capsula_ 2-locularis, 2 valvis.
_Calyx_ 4-partitus æqualis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

CALCEOLARIA _Fothergillii_ foliis spathulatis integerrimis,
pedunculis scapiformibus unifloris. _Ait. Kew. v. 1. p. 30.
tab. 1. Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 13. Gmel. p. 39._

To this species of Calceolaria the trivial name of _Fothergillii_ has been given in honour of Dr. JOHN FOTHERGILL, who introduced it in 1777 with several other rare plants from Falkland-Islands, where it is a native.

In the _Hortus Kewensis_ of Mr. AITON it was first figured, and minutely described.

This plant of great singularity and beauty particularly merits a place in the collections of the curious; its principal flowering season is in May, but it will often blossom much later in the Summer.

It is not to be had in perfection, nor even preserved, without great attention, joined to a peculiar treatment; several times it has been nearly lost from this country. Mr. AITON makes it a biennial greenhouse plant; it, no doubt, is one of those plants which are liable to be killed in very severe weather, and therefore it is necessary to keep a pot of it at least, during the Winter, either in the greenhouse or a well-secured frame; but the plant will be found to succeed best in the open ground, provided it be planted in bog-earth, in a situation that is moist and moderately shady; with us it has proved perfectly perennial.

With care it can be propagated by layers and cuttings, but with most certainty in the former mode; possibly it may be raised from seeds, they ripen here, but are as fine as dust.

[349]

SOLANUM LACINIATUM. CUT-LEAV'D NIGHTSHADE.

_Class and Order._

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Corolla_ rotata. _Antheræ_ subcoalitæ, apice poro gemino
dehiscentes. _Bacca_ 2-locularis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

SOLANUM _laciniatum_ caule fruticoso inermi glaberrimo,
foliis pinnatifidis: laciniis lanceolatis acutis, paniculis
axillaribus binis ternisve. _Ait. Hort. Kew. v. 1. p. 247._

Mr. AITON in his _Hort. Kew._ mentions this plant as being a native of New-Zealand, on the authority of Sir JOSEPH BANKS, and that it was introduced in 1772; he regards it as a stove plant; it has been since found to be more hardy than he imagined, and not to require more heat than the greenhouse affords; in the Summer it will stand abroad, and even ripen its fruit in the open air.

It is a plant of some beauty, but is more remarkable for having its antheræ separating widely from each other, and thereby losing the character of a _Solanum_, so far as it depends on that circumstance. The berries when ripe are of the size of a small plum, and of a yellowish green hue; their pulp is sweet, in some small degree resembling that of a fig, whether it be so innocent we do not take on us to assert.

It flowers during most of the Summer, and is easily increased by cuttings or seeds.

[350]

ERICA VENTRICOSA. PORCELAIN HEATH.

_Class and Order._

OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Calyx_ 4-phyllus. _Corolla_ 4-fida. _Filamenta_ receptaculo
inserta. _Antheræ_ bifidæ. _Caps._ 4-locularis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ERICA _ventricosa_ mutica, foliis quaternis trigonis ciliatis,
floribus ventricosis glabris. _Thunb. Prod. Cap. p. 71._

Of the many new Heaths which have been introduced within these few years, none have excited greater admiration than the present one; its blossoms, though they cannot boast the grandeur or richness of colour so strikingly displayed in the _cerinthoides_, and some others, please more on a near inspection, they have indeed a delicacy and beauty which are indescribable; we have given to it the English name of Porcelain Heath, as the flowers have somewhat the appearance of porcelain, or enamel.

This species has been introduced from the Cape, since the publication of the _Hortus Kewensis_; we saw it in blossom many years since, in the Royal Garden at Kew; several varieties of it have been raised from Cape seeds by Mr. LODDIGES, Nurseryman, at Hackney, differing in the hairiness of their leaves, size and colour of their blossoms; but the best variety we have seen is the one here represented.

In point of form the blossoms resemble those of the _ampullacea_, but they are not so large, and have no viscidity; the stigma is enclosed within the mouth of the flower, and the peduncles are usually naked; in some very luxuriant specimens we have observed a scale or two on them.

It is with Heaths, in some respects, as it is with fruit trees: one season they will produce blossoms most abundantly, they seem indeed to overblow themselves, the next few appear; in different years the blossoms of the same heath will vary also considerably in size. The _ventricosa_ is a free blower, and will in general produce flowers in abundance, for two or three months, from June to September.

Those who possess the knack of striking heaths, raise it by cuttings without much difficulty.

[351]

SAXIFRAGA MUTATA. SAFFRON-COLOUR'D SAXIFRAGE.

_Class and Order._

DECANDRIA DIGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Calyx_ 5-partitus. _Corolla_ 5-petala. _Caps._ 2-rostris
1-locularis polysperma.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

SAXIFRAGA _mutata_ foliis radicalibus aggregatis lingulatis
cartilagineo-serratis, caule racemoso folioso, calyce villoso
et viscido. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 411. Jacq.
Ic. Pl. rar. Fasc. 9._

LINNÆUS has arranged several distinct species of Saxifrage under the _Saxyfraga Cotyledon_, but very properly separates this; though in the general form of its foliage it is as nearly related to it as most of the others; from four of them it is indeed perfectly distinct, instead of the sawed cartilaginous edge, it has only fine soft hairs, more especially towards the base; towards the extremity there is some appearance of little teeth, but widely differing from those of the others. The whole plant is covered with viscid hairs; the stalk about a foot high, is much branched; but the great peculiarity of this plant consists in its flowers, the petals being long, narrow, and pointed, and of a saffron colour, of a deeper tint when they first open, and gradually changing to a pale yellow; the beauty of the flowers is heightened by a glandular substance in the centre of each, which when the flower expands is of a bright purple colour.

This rare species of Saxifrage is a native of the Alps of Switzerland and Italy; we raised it with difficulty from seeds sent us by Mr. DAVAL, of Orbe, in Switzerland; it was three years before the plants flowered; those now in bloom in my garden, June 15, bid fair to produce seeds in abundance; the plant may also be produced from offsets, in the same way as the _Saxifraga Cotyledon_, vulgarly called _Pyramidal Sedum_, and requires a similar treatment; though an Alpine plant, it must be sheltered from much wet and severe frosts.

Baron HALLER describes it with spots on the petals; those certainly did not exist on our plants.

[352]

OENOTHERA PURPUREA. PURPLE OENOTHERA.

_Class and Order._

OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 4-fidus. _Petala_ 4. _Caps._ cylindrica infera. _Sem._
nuda.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

OENOTHERA _purpurea_ foliis ovato-lanceolatis glaucescentibus
integerrimis, capsulis sessilibus, stigmate atro-purpureo.

The species of Oenothera here figured is the one we mentioned in treating of the _rosea_, a very ornamental species, introduced to the Royal Garden at Kew, from the western coast of North-America, in 1791.[4] We have given to it the name of _purpurea_, it being the only one in our gardens with purple flowers.

It is distinguished by three principal characters, the glaucous appearance of its foliage, the purple hue of its blossoms, and the dark colour of its stigma.

It flowers during the months of July and August, and ripens its seeds in September; is an annual of ready growth, and worthy of being more generally introduced to the flower-garden; its seeds should be sown in the spring, with other tender annuals, and the seedlings when of a proper age planted out singly in the open border, where they will acquire the height of two feet, and produce abundance of blossoms which, like those of the _rosea_, open during the day as well as in the evening.

[353]

MAHERNIA INCISA. CUT-LEAV'D MAHERNIA.

_Class and Order._

PENTANDRIA PENTAGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Calix_ 5-dentatus. _Petala_ 5. _Nect._ 5 obcordata filamentis
supposita. _Capsula_ 5-locularis.

_Specific Character._