Chapter III: Part 3

_Petal_ upright, ligulate, five-toothed, and meeting at the base in
front.

_Honey-cup_ one leaf, ship-shaped, shorter than the petal, and
inclosed within it.

CHIVES. Threads six, awl-shaped, upright, shorter by half than the
petal. Tips abortive.

POINTAL. Seed-bud below the receptacle of the flower, large and
very long. Shaft upright the length of the petal. Summit headed,
nearly round.

SEED-VESSEL. A fleshy berry, covered with a tough skin, very long,
the pulp laying three ways, without partitions.

SEEDS many, round.

_Hermaphrodite flowers, where the male parts are perfect._

EMPALEMENT as in the female flower.

BLOSSOM as in the female flower.

CHIVES. Threads as in the female flower, but longer, and thinner.
Tips linear, channelled, upright, and large.

POINTAL. Seed-bud the same as in the female, but smaller. Shaft and
summit like the female, but smaller.

SEED-VESSEL is abortive.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Musa spadice erecto; floribus capitatis; spathis confertis,
coccineis, maximis, apicibus luteis.

Plantain-tree with an upright fruit-stalk; flowers growing in
heads; sheaths crowded together, scarlet, very large, points
yellow.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The upper lip of the blossom, shewn in front, as cut off close to the seed-bud. 2. The same, shewing the hinder parts, with the three small claws on the border. 3. The honey-cup, which forms the lower lip of the blossom. 4. The seed-bud, chives, style, and summit, of a female hermaphrodite flower. 5. A seed-bud cut obliquely, to expose the situation character of the seeds. 6. The chives, seed-bud, shaft, and summit, of a male hermaphrodite flower.

The honour of having introduced this supremely beautiful plant, pertains to, Thomas Evans Esq. of Stepney; a gentleman to whose zeal for the introduction of new plants our stoves are of late much beholden; he having received it, amongst many others, about the year 1792 from China, where, as well as in Cochin-China, Sumatra, Java, &c. it is very commonly found. Our figure was taken, in part, from a plant which flowered at James Vere’s, Esq. Kensington Gore, last December, and partly, from one in blossom about the same time, at the Hon. Lady Archer’s, Ham Common. The Musa Coccinea grows to the height of about three, or four feet before it blows, and without question, has no rival but Strelitzea Regina in the hothouse, where its brilliancy, tends in some degree, to dispel the gloom of winter, for at least three months. It increases itself by suckers, which are thrown up in abundance from a vigorous plant; may be taken off at any time, and will arrive at a flowering size in twelve months; if planted in rich earth, and kept growing in pine heat, or on a strong hotbed.

PLATE XLVIII.

IXIA BULBIFERA. _Var: flore luteo._

_Bulb-bearing Ixia. Var: yellow-flowered._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA 6-petala, patens, æqualis. Stigmata tria, erectiusculo
patula.

BLOSSOM six petals, spreading, and equal. Summits three, nearly
upright, and spreading.

See IXIA REFLEXA, Plate XIV.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ixia foliis falcatis, glabris, scapo brevioribus, axillis
bulbiferis; floribus alternis, luteis.

Ixia with scimitar-shaped leaves, smooth, and shorter than the
flower-stem, bearing bulbs at their insertion into the stalk;
flowers alternate, and yellow.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement. 2. A Flower cut open, with the Chives attached. 3. The Shaft, Summit, and Seed-bud, (magnified).

The singular sporting of Nature in the Ixia bulbifera is not uncommon; its viviparous character (if it may be so called) constitutes a specific difference in many genera; Lilium, Lysimachia, &c. partake of it. The bulbs produced from the stem blow the second year, whereas those from seeds do not till the third. The flowers of this variety are the first that open, amongst the numerous species yet introduced, of this extensive genus; they are of a brilliant yellow, and seldom expand more than one at a time. The usual treatment of other Cape Ixias is suitable for this. The drawing was made at Messrs. Lee and Kennedy’s, in the month of March 1798, they having introduced it about the year 1784.

PLATE XLIX.

MALPIGHIA CRASSIFOLIA.

_Thick-leaved Malpighia._

CLASS X. ORDER III.

_DECANDRIA TRIGYNIA._ Ten Chives. Three Pointals.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium pentaphyllum, erectum, minimum, persistens,
connivens. Glandulæ melliferæ duæ, ovales gibbæ, foliolis calycinis
externe inferneque adnatæ.

COROLLA. Petala quinque, reniformia, magna, plicata, ciliata,
patentia, concava; unguibus longis, linearibus.

STAMINA. Filamenta decem latiuscula, erecta, in cylindrum posita,
parva. Antheræ cordatæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen subrotundum, minimum. Styli tres, filiformes.
Stigmata obtusa.

PERICARPIUM. Bacca globosa, torulosa, magna, unilocularis.

SEMINA tria, ossea, oblonga, obtusa, angulata.

EMPALEMENT. Cup five leaves, upright, very small, remaining and
closing at the points. Two honey-bearing glands, oval and gouty,
are fixed to the outer and lower part of the leaves of the cup.

BLOSSOM. Petals five, kidney-shaped, large, plaited, lashed,
spreading, and concave; claws long, linear.

CHIVES. Threads ten, rather broad, upright, placed cylindrically,
and small. Tips heart-shaped.

POINTAL. Seed-bud nearly round, very small. Shafts three,
thread-shaped. Summits blunt.

PERICARPIUM. Berry globular, knobby, large, of one cell.

SEEDS three, bony, oblong, blunt, and angulated.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Malpighia foliis lanceolato ovatis, subtus tomentosis,
integerrimis; floribus terminalibus, spicatis, pallide-luteis.

Malpighia with oval spear-shaped leaves, downy beneath, and entire;
flowers terminate the branches in spikes, and are pale yellow.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, Chives, and Pointal, (natural size). 2. The Empalement, (magnified). 3. The Chives spread open, (natural size). 4. A Thread, and its Tip, (magnified). 5. The Pointal complete, (natural size).

Although, we have given to this species of Malpighia, the specific name under which it has been introduced; yet, there is much doubt, whether it is not the Verbascifolium of Linnæus; or indeed if they are not both the same plant, named from different specimens. Our species makes a very handsome hothouse plant, growing to the height of five, or six feet, before it flowers. It is a native of Jamaica, and most of the adjacent islands, and was introduced by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy about the year 1792. From the extreme tenderness of the young leaves, and shoots, it must be kept in a strong growing pine heat during the winter months; otherwise, they are subject to damp off. It is raised by cuttings, and seems to delight in a rich soil. The figure was made from a specimen communicated by the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Courtenay, in whose most superb collection at Powderham Castle, near Exeter, it flowered, for the first time in England, in the month of September 1798.

PLATE L.

IXIA CAPITATA. _Var: flore aurantio._

_Bunch-flowering Ixia. Var: Blossom gold colour._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA 6-petala, patens, æqualis. Stigmata tria,
erectiusculo-patula.

BLOSSOM six petals, spreading, and equal. Summits three, nearly
upright, and spreading.

See Plate XIV. IXIA REFLEXA.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ixia foliis radicalibus, ensiformibus; floribus capitatis,
confertis, aurantiis, petalis basi obscuris.

Ixia with leaves growing from the root, and sword-shaped; blossoms
grow in a close bunch, gold coloured, and the petals dark at the
base.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two Sheaths of the Empalement. 2. A Flower cut open, with the Chives attached. 3. The Shaft, Summit, and Seed-bud, (magnified).

This variety of Ixia capitata was introduced at the same time as the Ixia bulbifera, flore luteo, viz. in 1784, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, from the Cape of Good Hope, and requires the same treatment. It flowers the latter end of May, or beginning of June; propagating itself abundantly by the root, which produces annually numerous young bulbs.

PLATE LI.

XERANTHEMUM SPECIOCISSIMUM.

_Largest-flowering Everlasting Flower._

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

_SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA._ Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Communis imbricatus; squamis lanceolatis, quarum intimæ
disco longiores, membranaceæ, nitidæ, radium constituentes.

COROLLA. Composita inæqualis; corollulæ hermaphroditæ plurimæ,
tubulosæ in disco. Femineæ pauciores, tubulatæ, in ambitu.

_Propria_ hermaphroditis infundibuliformis, calyce longe brevior;
limbo quinquefido, patulo.

_Femineis_ tubulosa, longitudine hermaphroditi, quinquefida, minus
æqualis.

STAMINA. Hermaphroditis filamenta quinque, brevissima. Antheræ
cylindracea, tubulosa, longitudine fere corollulæ.

PISTILLUM. Hermaphroditis germen breve. Stylus filiformis,
staminibus longior. Stigma bifidum.

Femineis germen ut in hermaphroditis. Stylus filiformis,
longitudine hermaphroditorum. Stigmata duo, oblonga reflexa.

PERICARPIUM nullum. Calyx vix mutatus.

SEMINA oblonga, coronata.

RECEPTACULUM nudum, planiusculum, punctatum.

EMPALEMENT. Common tiled; scales spear-shaped, the inner ones
longer than the disk, skinny, shining, and forming the ray of the
flower.

BLOSSOM. Compound, unequal; florets with chives and pointals
numerous and tubular in the disk. Female florets fewer, and tubular
in the circumference.

_Individuals_ with chives and pointals funnel-shaped, much shorter
than the empalement; border with five clefts, spreading.

_Individuals_ with only pointals, tubular the length of the
hermaphrodites, five cleft, and rather smaller.

CHIVES. The threads in the hermaphrodites are five, and very small.
Tips forming a cylinder, tubular almost the length of the florets.

POINTAL. Seed-bud of the hermaphrodites short. Shaft thread-shaped,
longer than the chives. Summit cloven.

Seed-bud of the female florets the same as the hermaphrodites.
Shaft thread-shaped the length of the hermaphrodites. Summits two,
oblong and bent back.

SEED-VESSEL none. Empalement scarcely changing.

SEEDS oblong, and crowned with a feather.

RECEPTACLE naked, flatish, and dotted.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Xeranthemum fruticosum, erectum; foliis amplexicaulibus,
lanceolatis, trinerviis; ramis unifloris, subundis.

Everlasting flower with an upright shrubby stem; leaves embracing
the stem, lance-shaped, and three-nerved; branches with one flower,
and nearly naked.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. An Hermaphrodite floret, (natural size). 2. The Chives, Pointal, and Seed-bud, (magnified). 3. The Pointal, and Seed-bud from a female floret, (magnified).

This handsome species of Xeranthemum was introduced, according to the Kew catalogue, by Mr. F. Masson from the Cape of Good Hope, in the year 1787; it is, nevertheless, a very scarce plant, being subject to decay from our winter damps; therefore requires a dry stove for its protection. The blossoms (or rather the flower-cups, for they are the persistent parts) are easily preserved for many years, in all their brilliancy, by cutting them, when they first expand; but our atmosphere seems uncongenial to the ripening of their seeds, and is with great difficulty increased by cuttings. The soil it most approves is sandy peat, with a small portion of loam. Our figure was taken in September last year, at the Hammersmith nursery.

PLATE LII.

GNIDIA PINIFOLIA.

_Pine-leaved Gnidia._

CLASS VIII. ORDER I.

_OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Eight Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, infundibuliforme, coloratum; tubo
filiformi, longissimo; limbo quadripartito, plano.

COROLLA. Petala quatuor, sessilia, plana, calyce breviora, eique
inserta.

STAMINA. Filamenta octo, setacea, erecta, longitudine ferme floris.
Antheræ simplices.

PISTILLUM. Germen ovatum. Stylus filiformis, germinis lateri
insertus, longitudine staminum. Stigma capitatum, hispidum.

PERICARPIUM nullum. Fructus in fundo calycis.

SEMEN unicum, ovatum.

EMPALEMENT. Cup one leaf, funnel-shaped and coloured; tube
thread-shaped, very long; border of four segments, which are flat.

BLOSSOM. Petals four, sitting close to the cup, flat, shorter than
the cup, and fixed within it.

CHIVES. Threads eight, awn-like, upright, scarcely the length of
the flower. Tips simple.

POINTAL. Seed-bud egg-shaped. Shaft thread-shaped, fixed into the
side of the seed-bud, and of the length of the chives. Summit
headed, and hairy.

SEED-VESSEL none. Fruit in the lower part of the cup.

SEED one, egg-shaped.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gnidia, foliis sparsis, lineari-subulatis; ramis verticillatis;
floribus aggregatis, terminalibus.

Gnidia with scattered, linearly awl-shaped leaves; branches grow in
whorls; the flowers terminating the branches in clusters.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Flower with its seed, (natural size). 2. The same cut open, to shew the situation and insertion of the Chives into the tube of the Empalement. 3. The Pointal, (magnified).

The essential distinguishing character, in Passerina, Gnidia, Struthiola, and Lachnæa, must certainly be considered as amongst the slightest generic divisions made by Linnæus. It is no small difficulty to distinguish the blossom in Gnidia, and Lachnæa, from the empalement in Passerina, and Struthiola; the same exact natural structure being alike in them all; and to us, appear noticeable in their small variations, rather as forming specific, than generic distinctions. As our plan is not to alter, upon any terms, what has been determinately settled by that great master in the arcana of nature, let our opinions be what they will; we are determined to prevent confusion (which has been but little attended to of late), to give it only as such, without presuming upon alteration. But as in the present instance, when a plant long named, but otherwise unknown to cultivators, has unfortunately been foisted from its rank by another, no ways answering to the characters of the describer; we shall consider it as our particular province to rectify the mistake, however generally the error may have obtained.--The Gnidia pinifolia is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, the seeds having been received from thence in 1795, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, at whose nursery it has flowered, for the first time in England, in the month of February this year, and where the drawing was taken. It is a hardy greenhouse plant, but is propagated with difficulty by cuttings; growing to the height of eighteen inches, being most exquisitely scented by night, continuing in flower at least three months, and thriving best in a light peat soil.

A figure of the plant generally known by the name of G. pinifolia, will be given with the next number, to the end our assertions may be properly investigated.

PLATE LIII.

MIMOSA STRICTA.

_Harsh-leaved upright Mimosa._

CLASS XXIII. ORDER I.

_POLYGAMIA MONOECIA._ Various dispositions. Upon one Plant.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

PERIANTHIUM monophyllum, quinquedentatum, minimum.

COROLLA. Petalum unicum, infundibuliforme, semiquinquesidum,
parvum.

STAMINA. Filamenta capillaria, longissima. Antheræ incumbentes.

PISTILLUM. Germen oblongum. Stylus filiformis, flaminibus brevior.
Stigma truncatum.

PERICARPIUM. Legumen longum, dissepimentis transversis, pluribus.

SEMINA plurima; figura varia.

EMPALEMENT. One leaf, five-toothed, and very small.

BLOSSOM. One petal, funnel-shaped, cut half way down into five
divisions, and small.

CHIVES. Threads like fine hairs, and very long. Tips laying on the
threads.

POINTAL. Seed-bud oblong. Shaft thread-shaped, shorter than the
chives. Summit appearing cut off.

SEED-VESSEL. A long pod, the partitions run across the pod, and are
numerous.

SEEDS many; of different shapes.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Mimosa foliis simplicibus, utrinque venosis, linearibus, obtusis;
ramis strictissimis; capituli geminati, oppositi, ex alis foliorum.

Mimosa with simple leaves, veiny on both sides, linear, and blunt
ended; branches growing close and upright; flower heads grow by
pairs, opposite, and at the insertion of the leaf into the stem.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Floret, (natural size). 2. The Empalement, (magnified). 3. The Blossom, (magnified). 4. One Thread and its Tip, (magnified). 5. The Pointal, (magnified).

This species of New Holland Mimosa, has as yet, escaped even the indefatigable, and accurate Dr. Smith; it is from Port Jackson, whence the seeds were transmitted by Colonel Paterson in the year 1793. Being easily raised, it is found in most collections; the seeds preserving their vegetative quality many years, and striking readily by cuttings. It has the peculiar character attached to the Mimosas of that country, viz. winged seed-leaves, which are lost after the first year’s growth. This species has no smell, and grows to the height of three or four feet before it flowers; perfectly straight and compact, from which circumstance we have taken its trivial name.

PLATE LIV.

ALETRIS SARMENTOSA.

_Creeping-rooted Bastard Aloe._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX, nullus.

COROLLA, monopetala, oblonga; limbi laciniis lanceolatis,
acuminatis, erectis; persistens.

STAMINA. Filamenta sex, subulata, longitudine corollæ, inserta basi
laciniarum corollæ. Antheræ oblongæ, erectæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen ovatum. Stylus subulatus, longitudine staminium.
Stigma trifidum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula ovata, triquetra, acuminata, trilocularis.

SEMINA plurima.

EMPALEMENT, none.

BLOSSOM, one leaf, oblong; the segments of the border are
lance-shaped, tapering, and upright; remaining.

CHIVES. Threads six, awl-shaped, the length of the blossom, and
inserted into the divisions of it, at the base. Tips oblong,
upright.

POINTAL. Seed-bud egg-shaped. Shaft awl-shaped, the length of the
chives. Summit three-cleft.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule egg-shaped, three-sided, tapered, and of three
cells.

SEEDS many.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Aletris, acaulis; foliis ensiformibus, laxis; floribus spicatis,
suave rubentibus; radicibus sarmentosis.

Bastard Aloe, without a stem; having sword-shaped, weak leaves;
flowers grow in spikes of a soft red colour; roots producing
suckers from the joints.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Flower. 2. The Chives, and Pointal. 3. The Pointal.

This species of Aletris was introduced to us, from the Cape of Good Hope, about the year 1789; it is a hardy plant, requiring the same management as Aletris Capensis, that is, to be kept in a dry part of the greenhouse; although the plant should be frequently watered when in bloom, as should mostly all plants, notwithstanding (as in the present instance is the case) their flowering in the winter months. This caution we have thought necessary, as it is a general rule with gardeners during that season, to put as little moisture as possible to their plants, whether in flower or not, to avoid damps. The little difficulty in propagating this handsome species of Aletris, will render it soon common; the roots grow nearly horizontally, and from their joints numberless young plants are produced; which character we were desirous of expressing in the figure, as from thence we have taken our trivial name; but from the size of the work, it was found impracticable. The drawing was made in December 1798, from a plant then in flower, at the Hammersmith nursery: we are nevertheless informed, that from being planted in a light, rich soil, it may be made to grow to the height of three feet; with a spike of flowers, one fourth the length of the flower-stem.

PLATE LV.

ZINNIA VIOLACEA.

_Purple Zinnia._

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

_SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA._ Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Communis ovato-cylindricus, lævis, imbricatus; squamis
plurimis, obtusis, erectis, persistentibus.

COROLLA. Composita radiata; corollulæ hermaphroditæ plures in disco
elevato. Femineæ plurimæ in radio.

_Propria_ hermaphroditi infundibuliformis, quinquefida intus
villosa.

_Feminea_ ligulata, subrotunda, retusa, persistens.

STAMINA. Hermaphroditis; filamenta quinque, brevissima. Anthera
cylindracea, tubulosa.

PISTILLUM. Hermaphroditis; germen oblongum, triquetrum. Stylus
filiformis, semibifidus. Stigmata duo, obtusa.

Femineis; germen oblongum, triquetrum. Stylus capillaris,
semibifidus. Stigmata duo, recurvata.

PERICARPIUM. Calyx immutatus.

SEMINA. Hermaphroditis solitaria, oblonga, tetragono-ancipitia.
Pappus muconibus duobus.

Femineis solitaria, mutica, coronata petalo persistente.

RECEPTACULUM paleaceum; paleis lingulatis, canaliculatis,
longitudine calycis, deciduis.

EMPALEMENT. Common cylindrically egg-shaped, smooth, and tiled;
scales many, blunt, upright, and remaining.

BLOSSOM. Compound radiate; florets with chives and pointals, are
numerous in the center, which is elevated; florets with only
pointals, many in the circumference.

_Individuals_ with chives and pointals funnel-shaped, five-cleft,
and hairy within.

_Individuals_ with pointals only, ligulate, roundish, dented at the
end, and remaining.

CHIVES. Hermaphrodites; five short threads. Tips forming a hollow
cylinder.

POINTAL. Hermaphrodites; seed-bud oblong, three-sided. Shaft
thread-shaped, split nearly half way down. Summits two, blunt.

Females; seed-bud oblong, three-sided. Shaft hair-like, split half
way down. Summits two, bent backward.

SEED-VESSEL. Cup not changing.

SEEDS. Hermaphrodites; solitary, oblong, three-sided, but sharp at
two edges. Feather of two sharp points.

Females, solitary, without points, being crowned with the
persistent petal.

RECEPTACLE chaffy; chaff tongue-shaped, channelled, the length of
the cup, and falling off.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Zinnia foliis oppositis, amplexicaulibus, lato-lanceolatis,
scabris; floribus pedunculatis, purpureis, solitariis.

Zinnia with opposite leaves, embracing the stem, broadly
lance-shaped, and rough; flowers have foot-stalks, are purple, and
grow solitary.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement. 2. A Floret of the ray with the seed attached, (natural size). 3. A Floret of the disk with the seed attached, (magnified). 4. The Chives and Pointal of an hermaphrodite floret. 5. The chaffy substance dividing the florets.

This elegant new species of Zinnia, is described and figured by J. A. Cavanilles, in his first volume of Spanish plants; where he says, it is a native of Mexico, South America, and was transmitted from thence to the royal gardens, where it perfected its seeds. In the year 1796, the Marchioness of Bute received it amongst many other curious seeds, from Madrid, through the medium of Professor Ortega. Being rather a tender annual, it should be sown in March, on a gentle hotbed; and transplanted into the open borders the beginning of May. The plant grows to the height of three feet or more, and makes in the months of August and September, a very considerable addition to the splendor of the flower garden. The seeds ripen freely, though the flower should be plucked before it appears decayed.

PLATE LVI.

ANTHOLYZA SPICATA.

_Spike-flowered Antholyza._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA tubulosa, irregularis, recurvata. Capsula infera.

BLOSSOM tubular, irregular, and bent backward. Capsule beneath.

See Plate XXXII. ANTHOLYZA RINGENS.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Antholyza, floribus infundibuliformibus, spicatis,
incarnato-pallidis; foliis falcatis, brevissimis.

Antholyza with funnel-shaped, spiked flowers, of a pale flesh
colour; leaves scimitar-shaped, and very short.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement. 2. A Blossom cut open, to shew the insertion of the Chives. 3. The Pointal, (natural size).

There are few species of this genus but furnish beautiful flowers; this is certainly among the most handsome, from the softness of its colour, and the regularity of the spike: what adds considerably to its merit, is, that the blossoms remain a considerable time before they fall, which unfortunately, is seldom the case with the flowers of this genus. It was received from the Cape of Good Hope in bulbs, sent by J. Pringle, Esq. of Madeira, in 1794, to Messrs. Lee and Kennedy of Hammersmith; the drawing was made in the month of June 1797 at their nursery. Not being easily injured by damp, there is no necessity for removing it from its pot, as is necessary for most bulbs, but to increase it; one, or two young bulbs being annually produced, in addition from the old one. The best soil is a sandy peat, with a small proportion of loam.

PLATE LVII.

MESEMBRYANTHEMUM GLABRUM.

_Smooth-leaved annual Fig Marygold._

CLASS XII. ORDER IV.

_ICOSANDRIA PENTAGYNIA._ Twenty Chives. Five Pointals.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, semiquinquesidum, superum, patens,
persistens.

COROLLA. Monopetala; petala lanceolato-linearia, numerosissima,
serie multiplici nata, calyce longiora, unguibus læviter connatis
in unum.

STAMINA. Filamenta numerosa, capillaria, longitudine calycis.
Antheræ incumbentes.

PISTILLUM. Germen inferum, angulis quinque, obtusis. Styli quinque
sæpius, subulati, erecto-reflexi. Stigmata simplicia.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula carnosa, subrotunda, loculamentis numero
stylorum respondentibus.

SEMINA plurima, subrotunda.

EMPALEMENT. Cup one leaf, cut nearly half way down into five
divisions, above, spreading, and remaining.

BLOSSOM. One petal; petals linearly lance-shaped, very numerous,
rising in a number of rows, longer than the cup, slightly joined
together by their claws.

CHIVES. Threads numerous, hair-like, the length of the cup. Tips
laying on the threads.

POINTAL. Seed-bud beneath, with five obtuse angles. Shafts mostly
five, awl-shaped, upright, and a little bent outwards. Summits
simple.

SEED-VESSEL. A fleshy capsule, nearly round, the cells answering to
the number of the chives.

SEEDS many, nearly round.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Mesembryanthemum foliis amplexicaulibus, glaberrimis, spathulatis;
pedunculis longitudine foliorum; calycibus hemisphæricis; corollis
luteis.

Fig Marygold with leaves embracing the stem, very smooth, and
spatula-shaped; the foot-stalks the length of the leaves; cups
hemispherical; blossoms yellow.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Seed-bud; the Blossom, Cup and Chives, cut off, the Pointals remaining. 2. The same, with the Cup and Chives.

As the extreme brilliancy of this plant cannot be done justice to in painting, we must rest satisfied with having done our best; every person in the least acquainted with the art, must know, that in yellow the shining colour existing in nature cannot be retained in a drawing. This species is annual, and according to the Kew Catalogue, was introduced to the royal gardens by Mr. F. Masson in the year 1787. The seeds should be sown on a hotbed in the month of February, and by the end of August the plants will flower, and continue to blossom till the end of October; never failing to perfect their seeds.

PLATE LVIII.

BORONIA PINNATA.

_Hawthorn-scented Boronia._

CLASS VIII. ORDER I.

_OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Eight Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium quadripartitum; laciniis acutis, persistentibus.

COROLLA. Petala quatuor, ovata, sessilia.

_Nectarium_ coronæ forma, excavatum, glandulosum.

STAMINA. Filamenta octo, plana, ciliata, incurvata, receptaculo
inserta. Antheræ infra apicem filamentorum pedicillatæ,
incumbentes.

PISTILLUM. Germen superum, conicum, quadrisulcatum. Stylus
brevissimus, simplex. Stigma capitatum, glabrum, sulcatum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsulæ quatuor, ovato-acuminatæ, compressæ, margine
introrsum coalitæ, apicibus distantibus, sutra superiori
dehiscentes, bivalves.

SEMINA solitaria sæpius, nitida, reniformia, arillata.

EMPALEMENT. Cup with four divisions; segments sharp pointed, and
remaining.

BLOSSOM. Petals four, egg-shaped, sitting close to the cup.

_Honey-cup_ of the shape of a crown, hollowed, and glandular.

CHIVES. Eight threads, flat, fringed, turned inwards, and fixed
into the receptacle. Tips fixed below the ends on the inside of the
threads, on short foot-stalks, and lying on them.

POINTAL. Seed-bud above, conical, and four-furrowed. Shaft very
short, and simple. Summit headed, smooth, and furrowed.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsules four, of a pointed egg-shape, flattened,
joined by the interior edge, the points standing separate,
splitting from the upper suture, two-valved.

SEEDS mostly solitary, shining, kidney-shaped, and covered with an
elastic coat.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Boronia foliis impari-primatis, integerrimis; pedunculis
axillaribus, dichotomis; filamentis apice obtusis, glandulosis.

Boronia with leaves abruptly winged, entire; flower-stalks growing
from the base of the leaves, forked; end of the threads blunt, and
glandular.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, (natural size). 2. The Chives, and Pointal. 3. One Chive, (magnified). 4. The Pointal, and Honey-cup, (natural size).

This is the only species yet in our gardens, of a most beautiful new genus of plants, natives of New South Wales, first named, described, and with three other species, figured in the _Tracts relating to Natural History by Dr. J. E. Smith, F.R.S. P.L.S. &c._ Thus eternizing the name of an esteemed and faithful servant, who by his ardour in botanical pursuits, had merited the honour; rejecting the usual considerations, riches, or learning, does the Dr. no less credit as a man, for the kindness of his heart, than what his distinguished talents have gained him, by placing him in the first botanical seat in this kingdom. In the short history of the unfortunate end of Borone, the Dr. informs us, he had resigned him to Dr. Sibthorpe, as a most fit person to attend him in his last journey through Greece; where, at Athens, he met his death, by an accidental fall from a balcony: the Dr. did not long survive him.

The Boronia pinnata has much of the aromatic flavour of Diosma in its leaves and stem; the flowers, which appear about February, and continue till May, have the scent of the Hawthorn flower; it grows to a shrub of the height of eighteen inches, is propagated with difficulty by cuttings, and has not hitherto perfected its seeds in this country; requiring a dry situation in the greenhouse, and flourishes most in light sandy peat. The figure was taken from a plant which flowered last year, in the nursery of Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, where it was raised from seeds in 1794.

PLATE LIX.

IXIA FISTULOSA.

_Hollow-leaved Ixia._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA 6-petala, patens æqualis. Stigmata tria,
erectiusculo-patula.

BLOSSOM six petals, spreading, equal. Summits three, nearly
upright, and spreading.

See IXIA REFLEXA. Plate XIV.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ixia foliis linearibus, fistulosis; floribus secundis, noctu
fragrantes; bulbus campanulatus, margine acuto-fibroso.

Ixia with linear, hollow leaves; flowers pointing one way, and
fragrant by night; bulb bell-shaped, the margin edged with sharp
fibres.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The outer spath of the Empalement. 2. The inner spath of the Empalement. 3. A Flower cut open. 4. The Pointal, and Chives. 5. The Pointal.

This Ixia is of a very delicate nature, the root being subject to rot soon after the flower decays, if not then removed from its pot, and dried; the flowers expand about four o’clock in the afternoon, and are so extremely fragrant that they are smelt at a considerable distance. For this plant, our gardens are indebted to the Dowager Lady De Clifford, who received the bulbs from the Cape of Good Hope in the year 1794. The drawing was made from a plant, which flowered last year at Messrs. Lee and Kennedy’s, Hammersmith, who had some of them in a present from her ladyship. Like other Ixias, it should be planted in light peat, and watered but seldom; its propagation is but slow, as seldom more than one new bulb is produced, upon the decay of the old one.

PLATE LX.

GERANIUM PUNCTATUM.

_Dotted-flowered Geranium._

CLASS XVI. ORDER IV. _Suppl. System. Veget._ 1781.

_MONODELPHIA DECANDRIA._ Threads united. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

MONOGYNA. Stigmata 5. Fructus rostratus, 5-coccus.

ONE POINTAL. Five summits. Fruit furnished with long awns, five dry
berries.

See GERANIUM GRANDIFLORUM, Plate XII.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Geranium foliis radicalibus; floribus umbellatis, diandris; petalis
duobus superioribus punctatis; stigmata quatuor.

Geranium with leaves growing from the root; flowers grow in umbels,
two fertile chives; the two upper petals being dotted; summits
four.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement cut open, with the Chives and Pointal left on, (natural size). 2. The Threads cut open, to shew their number, and the situation of the two fertile ones, (magnified). 3. The Pointal, (magnified).

Perhaps amongst plants, there is no genus exhibits such varied and numerous species as Geranium; no one, in which the species are so allied in natural character, or so unfavourable to the sexual system, if some deviation from general rules was not allowed: the founder thought such licence necessary, and we implicitly follow him. Thus far we have thought proper to extenuate in the present instance; for should we follow Mons. L’Heritier, (as most of the modern correctors of Linnæus have done,) a new genus must inevitably be formed for this plant. Upon a close examination of the flowers, from a dozen different plants, invariably, only seven threads were found; two only with tips, and those placed immediately behind the shaft, whose summits were but four. This Geranium is rather tender, and requires a dry-stove heat to make it flower, which it will readily do with such assistance, in April; about the beginning of which month, this year, a drawing was made from a plant in the collection of Messrs. Lee and Kennedy. The roots or bulbs of this plant were first received in England by Thomas Johnes, Esq. in the year 1794, in whose magnificent conservatory at Havod they flowered the next year.

PLATE LXI.

ASTER DENTATUS.

_Toothed-leaved Starwort._

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

_SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA._ Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. _Communis_ squamoso-imbricatus; squamis interioribus apice
prominulis.

COROLLA. Composita radiata; corollulæ hermaphroditæ numerosæ in
disco; femineæ ligulatæ, decem plures in radio.

_Propria_ hermaphroditi infundibuliformis; limbo quinquefido,
patulo.

_Femineæ_ ligulata, lanceolata, tridentata.

STAMINA. Filamenta quinque, capillaria, brevissima. Anthera
cylindracea, tubulosa.

PISTILLUM. Hermaphroditis; germen oblongum. Stylus filiformis,
longitudine staminum. Stigma bifidum, patens.

Femineis; germen oblongum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine
hermaphroditi. Stigmata duo, oblonga, revoluta.

PERICARPIUM nullum. Calyx vix mutatus.

SEMINA. Hermaphroditis solitaria, oblonga, ovata. Pappus pilosus.

Femineis similia hermaphroditis.

RECEPTACULUM nudum, planiusculum.

EMPALEMENT. _Common_, scales tiled; the inner scales standing a
little out at the points.

BLOSSOM. Compound, radiate; florets with chives and pointals, many
in the center; florets with only pointals, ligulate, ten or more in
the circumference.

_Individuals_ with chives and pointals, funnel-shaped; border with
five-clefts, spreading.

_Individuals_ with only pointals, ligulate, spear-shaped, with
three teeth.

CHIVES. Five hair-like threads, very short. Tips forming a hollow
cylinder.

POINTAL. To those with chives and pointals, seed-bud oblong. Shaft
thread-shaped, the length of the chives. Summit two-cleft,
expanding.

Seed-bud to those with pointals only, oblong. Shaft thread-shaped,
the length of the hermaphrodites. Summits two, oblong, bent back.

SEED-VESSEL none. Cup scarcely changing.

SEEDS to the hermaphrodites solitary, oblong, egg-shaped. Feather
hairy.

Females the same as hermaphrodites.

RECEPTACLE naked, almost flat.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Aster caulis fruticosus; foliis dentatis, subtus ferrugineis;
floribus terminalibus; pedunculis unifloris, bracteatis.

Starwort with a shrubby stem; leaves toothed, iron colour beneath;
flowers terminate the branches; fruit-stalks having but one flower,
with floral leaves.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Floret of the circumference. 2. The Pointal of the preceding. 3. A Floret of the center, (magnified). 4. The Chives and Pointal of the preceding, (magnified). 5. The Shaft and Summit of the same, (magnified).

This plant cannot undoubtedly be considered as amongst the most beautiful of the vegetable productions of New Holland; but nevertheless, from the continuance of its flowering, is very desirable as a greenhouse plant, as it begins to expand its blossoms about December, and from that time till August is seldom seen without flowers. It is a low-growing shrub, seldom exceeding a foot in height, and very branching. Like most plants from Botany Bay, it delights in a light sandy peat soil, is easily propagated by cuttings, and seeds. The drawing was made from a plant in the nursery of Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, who raised it first from seeds in the year 1793.

PLATE LXII.

GLADIOLUS GRAMINEUS.

_Grass-like Gladiolus._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA sexpartita, ringens.

STAMINA adscendentia.

BLOSSOM with six divisions, gaping.

CHIVES ascending.

See GLADIOLUS LONGIFLORUS. Plate V.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gladiolus polystachyus, scapo laxo, spicis capillaribus, flexuosis;
foliis ensiformibus; corollæ sexpartitæ, absque tubo.

Gladiolus with many spikes, upon a flexible flower stem, spikes
hair-like, growing zigzag; leaves sword-shape; blossom of six
divisions, without a tube.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two sheaths of the Empalement. 2. The Seed-bud, Chives, and Pointal (magnified). 3. The Pointal, (magnified).

This species of Gladiolus has been described by Thunberg, and from him by Linnæus, in his Suppl. Plant. p. 95, under the specific name it here bears. It is a little straining on the genus to introduce this species into it; as it is deficient in most of the essential characters; having a blossom without a tube, and the petals equal. From the Kew Catalogue we learn it was introduced in the year 1787, by Mr. F. Masson, to the royal gardens; is there said to flower most part of the year: a plant of such character is most desirable, but unfortunately we have never seen it in blossom but at the usual season for the flowers of this tribe; that is, from April till June. The capsules of this plant bear a strong resemblance to those of the Euonymus: generally perfecting their seeds. It is a very hardy bulb, blows early, and may be kept in a pit protected from the frost.

PLATE LXIII.

USTERIA SCANDENS.

_Climbing Usteria._

CLASS XIV. ORDER II.

_DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA._ Two Chives longer. Seeds covered.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, quinquepartitum, persistens;
laciniis erectis, subulatis.

COROLLA. Monopetala, ringens, tubus ventricosus, basi arcta; limbus
bilabiatus, labium _superius_ bifidum, rotundatum, reflexum; labium
_inferius_ trifidum, laciniis rotundatis, intermedia minore.

STAMINA. Filamenta quatuor, sub labio superiori recondita, quorum
duo lateralia longiora, fundo corollæ inserta, basi incrassata,
lanata, apice incurvata. Antheræ erectæ, versatiles, approximatæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen sub-rotundum. Stylus filiformis, persistens;
longitudine staminum. Stigma obtusum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula sub-rotunda, bilocularis, calyce longior,
obtusa.

SEMINA plurima, sub-rotunda, scabrida.

EMPALEMENT. Cup one leaf, five divisions, permanent; segments
upright, and awl-shaped.

BLOSSOM. One leaf, gaping, tube swelled out in the middle, and
pinched in at the base; border with two lips, the _upper_ divided
into two lobes, which are rounded, and bent back; the _lower_ has
three divisions, the segments rounded, the middle one the smallest.

CHIVES. Threads four, hid under the upper lip, of which the two
side ones are the longest, fixed into the bottom of the blossom,
thickened at the base, woolly, and turned inward at the point. Tips
upright, slightly fixed by the middle, and approaching.

POINTAL. Seed-bud nearly round. Shaft thread-shaped, remaining, the
length of the chives. Summit blunt.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule nearly round, of two cells, longer than the
cup, blunt ended.

SEEDS many, almost round, and very rough.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Usteria caulis volubilis; foliis hastatis; floribus solitariis,
purpureis; pedunculis tortis, longissimis.

Usteria with a climbing stem; leaves halbert-shaped; flowers
solitary, and purple; fruit-stalks twisted, very long.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Blossom cut open, to expose the situation of the Chives. 2. One Chive, (magnified). 3. The Pointal, (natural size). 4. The Empalement, and Seed-vessel nearly ripe, of its natural size.

This is another of those plants raised in the year 1797 by the Marchioness of Bute, at her charming little villa, Brompton, from seeds, sent to her ladyship from Spain by Dr. Ortega. It is a native of Mexico, North America, and will live through our winters with the protection of a greenhouse, to which it forms a beautiful ornament as a creeper; flowering from May till September, but does not appear to be a long-lived plant; is easily propagated by cuttings, or from seeds, which are ripened by November, or earlier; thriving best in light rich earth.

PLATE LXIV.

PÆONIA ALBIFLORA.

_White Pæony._

CLASS XIII. ORDER II.

_POLYANDRIA DIGYNIA._ Many Chives. Two Pointals.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium pentaphyllum, parvum, persistens; foliolis
subrotundis, concavis, reflexis, inequalibus magnitudine et situ.

COROLLA. Petala quinque, subrotunda, concava, basi angustiora,
patentia, maxima.

STAMINA. Filamenta numerosa, capillaria. Antheræ oblongæ,
quadrangulæ, erectæ, quadriloculares, magnæ.

PISTILLUM. Germina duo, ovata, erecta, tomentosa. Styli nulli.
Stigmata compressa, obtusa, colorata.

PERICARPIUM. Capsulæ oblongæ, acuminatæ, reflexo-patentes,
tomentosæ, uniloculares, univalves, longitudinaliter introrsum
dehiscentes.

SEMINA plura, ovalia, nitida, colorata, saturæ dehiscenti affixa.

EMPALEMENT. Cup five-leaved, small, and remaining; leaves roundish,
concave, bent back, and unequal both in size and situation.

BLOSSOM. Petals five, roundish, concave, smaller at the base,
spreading, and very large.

CHIVES. Threads numerous, and hair-like. Tips oblong, four-sided,
upright, with four cells, and large.

POINTAL. Seed-buds two, egg-shaped, upright, and downy. Shaft none.
Summits flattened, oblong, blunt, and coloured.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsules oblong, tapered, bent back, and spreading,
downy, of one cell, and one valve, splitting lengthways from the
inner part.

SEEDS many, oval, shining, coloured, and fixed to the suture where
it splits.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Pæonia foliis lobatis, nitentibus; corollis albidis; germinibus
ternis, vel quaternis.

Pæony with leaves divided into lobes, and shining; blossoms white;
seed-buds three, or four.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, Chives, and Pointals. 2. A Thread and its Tip (magnified). 3. The Seed-vessels. 4. A Seed.

This new species of Pæony is a native of Mongol Tartary, and the parts adjacent; of course, is sufficiently hardy to endure our severest winters. It has been described by Gmelin, in his Flora Sibirica; and figured by Dr. Pallas, in his Flora Rossica, under the specific title it here bears. J. Bell, Esq. of Isleworth, procured some plants of it from St. Petersburg, about the year 1791; where it had been introduced by Dr. Pallas some time before, when on his travels through Tartary. It forms a handsome, upright growing, herbaceous plant; the flowers standing much above the foliage, are much handsomer before they are expanded, than when fully so; as the under part of the petals are tinged with red, which contrasted with the purity of the white of the other parts, renders them at that period extremely beautiful. The figure was taken at the nursery of Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, this year, in the month of June, during which month it is in perfection. Like the rest of the Pæonies, it is easily propagated by the root; requiring little attention in its cultivation, as it will live in almost any soil or situation.

PLATE LXV.

OPHRYS LILIFOLIA.

_Lily-leaved Ophrys._

CLASS XX. ORDER I.

_GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA._ Chives on the Pointal. Two Chives.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Spathæ vagæ. Spadix simplex. Perianthium nullum.

COROLLA. Petala quinque, oblonga, sursum conniventia, æqualia; duo
horum exteriora.

_Nectarium_ petalis longius, dependens; postice tantum carinatum.

STAMINA. Filamenta duo, brevissima, pistillo insidentia. Antheræ
erectæ, tectæ margine interiore nectarii.

PISTILLUM. Germen oblongum, contortum, inferum. Stylus margini
interiori nectarii adnatus. Stigma obsoletum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula subovata, trigona, obtusa, striata, trivalvis,
unilocularis, angulis carinatis dehiscens.

SEMINA numerosa, scobiformia.

RECEPTACULUM lineare, adnatum singulæ valvulæ pericarpii.

EMPALEMENT. Sheaths scattered. Fruit-stalks simple. Cup none.

BLOSSOM. Five petals, oblong, approaching upwards, equal; two of
them placed outwards.

_Honey-cup_ longer than the petals, hanging down; only keeled on
the back part.

CHIVES. Two threads, very short, fixed to the pointal. Tips
upright, covered by the inner edge of the honey-cup.

POINTAL. Seed-bud beneath, oblong, twisted beneath. Shaft fixed to
the inner edge of the honey-cup. Summit imperfect.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule nearly egg-shaped, three-sided, blunt,
channelled, three-valved, and one cell, opening at the keel-shaped
angles.

SEEDS numerous, like saw-dust.

RECEPTACLE linear, growing to each valve of the seed-vessel.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ophrys bulbo subrotundo; scapo nudo; foliis ovato-oblongis,
radicalibus; nectarii labio integro; petalis dorsalibus linearibus.

Ophrys with roundish roots; stem naked; leaves oblong, egg-shaped,
growing from the root; the two back petals linear.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Honey-cup cut off the blossom. 2. The Seed-bud and Pointal (natural size) shewn sideways. 3. The same (magnified) shewn in front, with the cup lifted up, to expose the parts of fructification.

Gronovius, in his arrangement of the plants discovered by Mr. J. Clayton in Virginia, P. i, page 185, has described this plant; and Linnæus after him, in his second edition of the Species Plantarum, page 1341, has it likewise, but thought it only a large variety of a species found in marshy grounds in Sweden; however that may be, it is perfectly new to Britain, as a plant in our gardens. This species of Ophrys seems much more easy to preserve than most of its congeners, as, since its introduction, the bulbs seem to acquire additional size, and the spikes of flowers to grow larger each year. Our drawing was taken from a plant in the extensive collection of the Right Hon. the Marquis of Blandford, Bill-hill, Berkshire, in the year 1797, about the beginning of the month of July; having been sent the preceding year from Philadelphia, by J. Lyons, gardener to William Hamilton, Esq. of that State. It is a hardy plant, and will thrive in a sheltered border, if planted in light earth, and kept moist; is propagated but slowly by the root, which seems the only method; as the seeds are too small of all this natural order to raise them by that means.

PLATE LXVI.

GLADIOLUS POLYSTACHIUS.

_Branching Gladiolus._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA 6-partita, ringens.

STAMINA adscendentia.

BLOSSOM of six divisions, and gaping.

CHIVES ascending.

See Plate XI. GLADIOLUS ROSEUS.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gladiolus foliis falcatis; caule polystachio; corollis
sub-regularibus, carneis.

Gladiolus with cymitar-shaped leaves; stem many branches; blossoms
nearly regular, and flesh colour.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement. 2. A Blossom cut open, with the Chives attached. 3. The Pointal and Seed-bud, one summit magnified.

This species of Gladiolus has been long known in herbariums, as it is very common about Table mountain, at the Cape of Good Hope; Jacquin, Thunberg, Gmelin, Welldenow, &c. have it under the tribe of Ixia, with the specific names of Scillaris, Fabricii, &c. but notwithstanding, we have no hesitation in placing it under its true genus Gladiolus. The upright character of the chives, their insertion into the tube of the blossom, and not at the mouth, the difference in the shape of the petals, the situation of the summits behind the chives, &c. leave no room for doubt where its station should be. Although plentiful at the Cape, it has not been long an inhabitant of this clime; having flowered for the first time in the year 1797, at Bulstrode, the seat of his Grace the Duke of Portland. What contributes much to the value of this plant is, that it continues in flower at least two months, from the beginning of June till the end of July; propagates itself abundantly by the roots, which are not subject to rot, though not removed from the pots in which they have flowered. Thrives in peat earth.

PLATE LXVII.

GERANIUM INCISUM.

_Jagged-leaved Geranium._

CLASS XVI. ORDER IV.

_MONODELPHIA DECANDRIA._ Threads united. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

MONOGYNA. Stigmata quinque. Fructus rostratus, 5-coccus.

ONE POINTAL. Five summits. Fruit furnished with long awns, five dry
berries.

See GERANIUM GRANDIFLORUM, Plate XII.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Geranium foliis multifidis, crassis, confertis; floribus
umbellatis, pedunculis longissimis; caule erecto, fruticoso.

Geranium with leaves of many clefts, thick, and crowded together;
flowers grow in bunches, on very long foot-stalks; stem upright,
and shrubby.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement. 2. The Chives and Pointal, (natural size). 3. The Chives cut open. 4. The Pointal, (magnified).

This pretty species of Geranium, from the Cape of Good Hope, is one of those having seven fertile tips; therefore a Pelargonium of Mons. L’Heritier. It is a low growing plant, seldom exceeding eight or nine inches in height, keeping very compact; but is subject to damp in the leaves, if kept moist in winter, though otherwise pretty hardy. Mr. C. Lodiges, of Hackney, first raised it from seeds which he received from Vienna, about the year 1793. It is readily propagated by cuttings, or seeds, and continues to flower all the summer mouths; requiring light rich earth to make it flourish.

PLATE LXVIII.

GOODENIA OVATA.

_Oval-leaved Goodenia._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA supra longitudinaliter fissa, genitalia exserens,
quinquefida. Stigma urceolatum, ciliatum.

BLOSSOM longitudinally cloven on the upper side, exposing the
organs of generation, and five-cleft. Summit cup-shaped, and
fringed.

See GOODENIA CALENDULACEA. Plate XXII.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Goodenia foliis ovatis, serratis; corollis luteis, laciniis duobus
exterioribus erectis.

Goodenia with egg-shaped leaves, sawed at the edges; blossoms
yellow, the two outer segments grow upright.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement and Seed-bud. 2. A Blossom, with the parts of fructification attached. 3. The Chives, and Pointal (magnified).

In the second volume of the Linnæan Transactions, Dr. Smith enumerates ten species of the genus Goodenia; this species makes an addition to the number. The oval-leaved Goodenia is a half woody plant, making long willow-like branches, which mostly decay in the winter, though a great part of the plant remains; it is a hardy greenhouse plant, requiring little trouble either to keep or propagate; the latter of which is done by cuttings. About the year 1793, a parcel of seeds was received by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, sent to them by Colonel Paterson from Port Jackson, New Holland; amongst them, the seeds of this plant; it nevertheless did not flower till the year 1798, about the month of June. It is certainly a desirable plant, never failing to flower from June till September, if kept growing in vigour, which it will surely do if planted in light peat earth.

PLATE LXIX.

LAMBERTIA FORMOSA. _Var. longifolia._

_Red-flowered Lambertia. Long-leaved variety._

CLASS IV. ORDER I.

_TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Four Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium commune, imbricatum, squamis interioribus,
longioribus.

COROLLA. _Universalis_ uniformis, septem-florus.

_Propria_ monopetala, tubulosa, limbus quadrifidus, laciniis
revolutis, stameniferis.

STAMINA. Filamenta quatuor, subulata, brevissima, inserta limbo
corollæ, intra singulam laciniam singula. Antheræ lineares, erectæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen subrotundum, apice pilosum. Stylus setaceus,
erectus. Stigma subulatum, sulcatum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula tricornuta, unilocularis, disperma.

SEMINA bina, alata, scabra, nigra.

EMPALEMENT. Common cup tiled, the inner scales the longest.

BLOSSOM. _General_ regular composed of seven flowers.

_Individuals_ of one petal, tubular, border four-cleft, the
segments rolled back, and supporting the chives.

CHIVES. Threads four awl-shaped, very short, fixed into the border
of the blossom, one within each segment. Tips linear, and upright.

POINTAL. Seed-bud nearly round, the upper part hairy. Shaft
awn-like, upright. Summit awl-shaped, and furrowed.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule three-horned, of one cell, and two seeds.

SEEDS two, winged, rough, and black.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Lambertia foliis ternis, apice mucronato-pungentibus; corollis
striatis, extus suave rubentibus; antheris cæruleis.

Lambertia with leaves growing by threes, the ends terminating in
sharp points; blossoms striped, of a light red without; tips blue.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement. 2. A Blossom cut open, with the Pointal as it stands in the blossom. 3. One segment of a Flower, with the Chive attached. 4. The Pointal (magnified). 5. A Capsule. 6. A Seed.

Of all the plants yet introduced from New Holland, that have hitherto flowered with us, this unquestionably takes the lead for beauty, considering the plant altogether. It is a hardy greenhouse plant, growing to the height of six or eight feet before it flowers; when the blossoms break from the ends of almost every branch. The seeds of this plant were among the first which arrived from Botany Bay, in the year 1788; when two varieties of it were raised by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, at their nursery, who were fortunate enough to procure all the seeds which came home that season. This fine genus has received its title, (under the sanction of Dr. Smith, _see the Linn. Trans. page 214, vol. 3_.) from Aylmer Bourke Lambert, Esq. fellow of the Royal and Linnæan Societies; a gentleman whose zeal for the advancement of the science is unbounded, and whose labours to that end, as well as his endeavours to render botany of universal benefit, by combining the useful with the pleasing; (witness his work on the Cinchonas, or Jesuits’ Barks) do him the greatest credit. Our drawing was made from a plant which flowered for the first time in this kingdom, in the collection of J. Robertson, Esq. of Stockwell, Surrey, in July 1798. It is without difficulty raised by cuttings, and thrives in peat earth.

PLATE LXX.

GNIDIA SIMPLEX.

_Heath-leaved Gnidia._

CLASS VIII. ORDER I.

_OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Eight Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX infundibuliformis, quadrifidus. Petala quatuor, calyci
inserta. Semen unicum, subbaccatum.

EMPALEMENT funnel-shaped, and four-cleft, Petals four, inserted
into the empalement. One seed, something like a berry.

See GNIDIA PINIFOLIA, Plate LII.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gnidia, foliis linearibus, acutis, lævibus; floribus terminalibus,
sessilibus, luteis.

Gnidia, with linear, pointed, smooth leaves; flowers terminating
the branches, sitting close upon them, and yellow.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Flower, (natural size). 2. The same cut open, and magnified. 3. The Pointal, (natural size). 4. The same magnified.

The flowers of this species of Gnidia, like most plants of this natural order, are fragrant, which increases much towards night. It is one of those delicate Cape plants requiring a dry stove, or an airy warm situation in the greenhouse; where it continues to flower through the months of April and May, and frequently will blossom a second time in September and October. It is easily propagated by cuttings; delighting most in peat earth, and seldom grows more than a foot high. Our drawing was made, (by his kind permission) at the beautiful and unique conservatory of R. James, Esq. Grosvenor-place, from a plant in his valuable and select collection, in May this year.

Unfortunately the G. Simplex having been introduced to our gardens before the G. Pinifolia, (see our figure, Pl. LII.) it was found in most collections under that title; but we have no hesitation in placing this plant under the specific name given it by Linnæus, in his Mantissa Plantarum of 1767, page 67; where, to the usual specific character, he has superadded an accurate description of it.

PLATE LXXI.

CLEMATIS VIORNA.

_Blue thick-petal’d Virgin’s Bower._

CLASS XIII. ORDER VII.

_POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA._ Many Chives. Many Pointals.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

PERIANTHIUM. Calyx nullus.

COROLLA. Petala quatuor, oblonga, laxa.

STAMINA. Filamenta plurima, subulata, corolla breviora. Antheræ
lateri filamentorum adnatæ.

PISTILLUM. Germina plurima, subrotunda, compressa, desinentia in
stylos subulatos, staminibus longiores. Stigmata simplicia.

PERICARPIUM nullum. Receptaculum capitatum, parvum.

SEMINA plurima, subrotunda, compressa, stylo (figura varia)
instructa.

EMPALEMENT. Cup none.

BLOSSOM. Petals four, oblong, flexible.

CHIVES. Threads many, awl-shaped, shorter than the blossom. Tips
fixed to the sides of the threads.

POINTAL. Seed-buds many, nearly round, flattened, ending in
awl-shaped shafts, longer than the chives. Summits simple.

SEED-VESSEL none. Receptacle forming a round head, and small.

SEEDS many, roundish, flattened, retaining the shaft, which is
variously shaped.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Clematis foliis compositis decompositisque; foliolis quibusdam
trifidis; floribus violaceis, coriaceis.

Virgin’s Bower, with compound and doubly compound leaves; some of
the little leaves split into three; flowers blue, and tough.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Chives, and Pointals; the petals being removed. 2. The Pointals. 3. A Chive, (magnified). 4. A Pointal, (magnified). 5. A Seed nearly ripe, (natural size).

Doubts have been entertained, among some botanists, whether this plant is the Clematis viorna of Linnæus, as given by him, with various synonims, in his Sp. Plan. By collating the different specific characters from the synonims adopted by him, we have no hesitation in our decision. Being a native of Virginia and Carolina, it is not so hardy as some others from the northern parts of Europe or America; but, nevertheless, is not killed by our winters, as it is herbaceous, and not making its shoots till late. In a warm situation against a wall or trellis, it will begin to blossom in July, and continue to flower till destroyed by the frost. As yet it is rather scarce in our gardens, being but of a late introduction, though long known by description. Our figure was taken at the Hammersmith nursery, where it is in high perfection, being planted in a mixture of loam and peat earth: it is most readily increased, by parting the roots in spring; as the seeds seldom come to maturity in this climate.

PLATE LXXII.

STYPHELIA TRIFLORA.

_Three-flowered Styphelia._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

PERIANTHIUM. Calyx imbricatus, persistens; foliolis interioribus
longioribus, acutis, erectis.

COROLLA tubulosa, quinquefida; laciniis revolutis, hirsutis.

_Nectarium_ membranaceum, lacerum, germen cingens.

STAMINA. Filamenta quinque, tubo inserta. Antheræ apice bifidæ,
versatiles.

PISTILLUM. Germen globosum, sulcatum, nectario cinctum. Stylus
capillaris. Stigma capitatum, quinquepartitum.

PERICARPIUM. Drupa quinquelocularis, subrotunda, glabra.

SEMINA, bina.

EMPALEMENT. Cup tiled, and remaining; the inner leaves the longest,
sharp-pointed, and upright.

BLOSSOM tubular, five-cleft; the segments rolled back, and hairy.

_Honey-cup_ skinny, torn, and surrounding the seed-bud.

CHIVES. Five threads, fixed into the tube of the blossom. Tips
split at the top, and loosely fixed by the middle to the threads.

POINTAL. Seed-bud globular, furrowed, encircled by the honey-cup.
Shaft hair-like. Summit headed, and of five divisions.

SEED-VESSEL. A pulpy fruit with five cells, roundish, and smooth.

SEEDS, two together.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Styphelia, foliis imbricatis, sparsis, glaucis, ovato-mucronatis;
floribus axillaribus, ternis.