Chapter V: Part 5

STAMINA. Filamenta tria, in cylindrum conata. Antheræ ovatæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen inserum, obtuse triangulare, glabrum. Stylus
filiformis, staminibus paullo longior. Stigmata tria,
filiformi-multipartita, patentia.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula oblongo-subcylindrica, trisulca, trilocularis,
trivalvis.

SEMINA plurima, globosa, minima.

EMPALEMENT. Sheath of one valve, skinny, and closing.

BLOSSOM, one leaf, above; tube thread-shaped, long, upright, the
upper part a little widened; border divided into six parts;
segments inversely egg-shaped and spreading.

CHIVES. Three threads forming a cylinder. Tips egg-shaped.

POINTAL. Seed-bud beneath, obtusely triangular and smooth. Shaft
thread-shaped, a little longer than the chives. Three summits, each
divided into a number of small threads, and spreading.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule of an oblong, and almost cylindrical shape,
with three furrows, three cells, and three valves.

SEEDS numerous, globular, and small.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Galaxia foliis ovatis margine ciliatis; corollis longissimis,
arcuatis, flavis.

Galaxia with egg-shaped leaves, fringed at the edge; blossoms very
long, bowed, and yellow.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Sheath. 2. A Flower cut open, to shew where the threads are fixed to the tube of the blossom. 3. The Chives with the Pointal inclosed, the Blossom cut away. 4. The Pointal and Seed-bud.

Any species of this Genus, must be interesting to the English botanist; as, till last year, not one was to be found, in any collection of this country. The G. ovata is figured in Cavanilles, Diss. 6. p. 340. t. 189; and described by Thunberg, in his Nova Genera Plantarum, p. 50. It is a most singular little plant, but we much fear will prove a fugitive to us; like the Ferraria, (to which in many particulars it very nearly affines) its beauty is but of a few hours duration: indeed, so short is the period, that had not Mr. Hibbert taken a sketch of it, whilst in perfection; and from which our drawing was completed, we could not have accomplished a figure of it. As yet, the true season of its flowering cannot be ascertained; but, it was in the month of October, that the plant flowered last year 1779; the bulbs having been received, from the collector for the Clapham collection, still at the Cape, in the spring of the same year. The treatment for this, appears to be the same as that necessary for most Cape bulbs; light sandy peat, a little warmth when approaching to flower; and to be removed from the pot afterwards.

PLATE XCV.

AMARYLLIS RADIATA.

_Rayed Lily Daffodil._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Spatha oblonga, obtusa, compressa, emarginata, marcescens.

COROLLA. Petala sex lanceolata.

_Nectarium_ squamis sex, extra basin filamentorum, brevissimis.

STAMINA. Filamenta sex subulata. Antheræ oblongæ, incumbentes,
assurgentes.

PISTILLUM. Germen inserum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine ferme et
situ staminum. Stigma trifidum, tenue.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula subovata, trilocularis, trivalvis.

SEMINA plura.

EMPALEMENT. Sheath oblong, blunt, compressed, notched at the end,
and withering.

BLOSSOM. Six lance-shaped petals.

_Honey-cup_, six scales from the base of the threads, very short.

CHIVES. Six awl-shaped threads. Tips oblong, fixed sideways to the
threads, and turned up at the end.

POINTAL. Seed bud beneath. Shaft thread-shaped, almost the length
and situation of the chives. Summit three-cleft, slender.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule nearly egg-shaped, three cells, three valves.

SEEDS many.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Amaryllis spatha multiflora; corollis revolutis, undulatis,
lanceolatis; genitalibus deflexis, divergentibus, corolla triplo
longioribus.

Lily Daffodil, with many flowers in the sheath; blossoms turned
backward, waved and lance-shaped; the parts of fructification are
bent downward, spread from the centre, and thrice the length of the
blossom.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Petal, with the Chive attached. 2. The Pointal and Seed-bud, the Petals cut off.

This species of Lily, certainly not a novelty to many as a plant, is nevertheless in its blossom, to most, quite so; for, though few collections are without it, yet we are pretty well assured, in no one has it flowered, at least for many years within the vicinity of London; except, in that of the Right Hon. the Marchioness of Rockingham, at Hillingdon near Uxbridge; for whose kind communication, (though personally unknown to her Ladyship,) of a most beautiful specimen, of which our figure conveys but a faint idea of the brilliancy; we can only thus, express our sincerest thanks. Mr. Greig, who had the goodness to bring the flower himself; informs us, the mode of his treating it is, to plant the bulbs in light sandy peat, and confine them to small pots, nearly half filled with broken tiles, and keep them on a shelf of the hothouse. It is a native of China, was introduced by the late Dr. Fothergill; and generally flowers, according to Mr. Greig, in the month of February, or March; and is increased abundantly from the root, by offsets.

PLATE XCVI.

PUNICA GRANATUM. _Var. flore albo._

_White Pomegranate._

CLASS XII. ORDER I.

_ICOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Twenty Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, campanulatum, quinquefidum, acutum,
coloratum, persistens.

COROLLA. Petala quinque, subrotunda, erecto-patentia, calyci
inserta.

STAMINA. Filamenta numerosa, capillaria, calyce breviora, calyci
inserta. Antheræ oblongiusculæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen inferum. Stylus simplex, longitudine staminum.
Stigma capitatum.

PERICARPIUM. Pomum subglobosum, magnum, coronatum calyce,
novemloculare, dissipimentis membranaceis.

SEMINA plurima, angulata, succulenta. Receptaculum carnosum,
singulum loculamentum pericarpii bifariam dividens.

EMPALEMENT. Cup one leaf, bell-shaped, five-cleft, pointed,
coloured, and remaining.

BLOSSOM. Five petals, roundish, upright and spreading, attached to
the cup.

CHIVES. Threads numerous, hair-like, shorter than the cup, and
fixed to it. Tips nearly oblong.

POINTAL. Seed-bud beneath. Shaft simple, the length of the chives.
Summit a knob.

SEED VESSEL. A large and nearly round apple, crowned by the cup,
five-celled, the partitions skinny.

SEEDS numerous, angulated, and juicy. Receptacle fleshy, and
dividing each cell of the seed-vessel into two.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Punica foliis lanceolatis, caule arboreo.

Pomegranate with lance-shaped leaves, and tree-like stem.

DIFFERENCE IN VAR.

Punica Gra: Foliis majoribus, pallidioribus; floribus sub-albidis.

Pomegranate with larger and paler leaves; flowers nearly white.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Flower cut open, to shew the insertion of the Petals and Chives, into the cup; with the situation of the Pointal. 2. The same shewn from the reverse side.

This handsome variety of the common Pomegranate, (for it cannot be considered as a species,) will, it is to be hoped, prove an agreeable addition to our gardens; though not as a fruit tree, yet as an ornamental plant, of the middling hardy class. Indeed we have little doubt of this, if we may judge by analogy, from its deciduous character, or from its natural affinities; as the other sorts of this species, viz. single red, double red, yellow flowered, and another new variety with large red blossoms and larger leaves, all endure our winters, with little, or no protection, in the southern, or western counties of the island; and are all natives of the same clime: from whence, no doubt, they, like the Orange-tree, &c. &c. have been originally transported; though at present considered as indigenous, to all the different countries on the coasts of the Mediterranean sea, where the single red is cultivated for its fruit; the agreeable acidity of which, is considered as a great luxury, in allaying the thirst occasioned by the intense heat, of those parching regions. In the month of April last year 1799, a fine branch, in full flower, was obligingly communicated by Lady Hume, from her select collection at Wormley Bury, Herts; from which our figure was taken, and where it was then flowering for the first time in England. Her Ladyship had received the plant, amongst a number of others, from China, in the year 1796. The fruit did not ripen, which we attribute to its being kept in the hothouse, to which situation, all plants coming from the East, are necessarily consigned on their first importation. The mode of increasing it is certain and easy, by cuttings, or layers; and it grows most luxuriant in light earth, composed of rotten leaves or rotten dung, and light sandy loam.

PLATE XCVII.

VACCINIUM FORMOSUM.

_Red-twigged Whortle-berry._

CLASS VIII. ORDER I.

_OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Eight Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX superus. Corolla monopetala. Filamenta receptaculo inserta.
Bacca quadrilocularis, polysperma.

CUP superior. Blossom of one petal. Threads fixed to the
receptacle. A berry with four cells, and many seeds.

See Vol. I. Pl. XXX. VACCINIUM ARCTOSTAPHYLLUS.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Vaccinium racemis pedicellisque bracteatis; foliis integerrimis,
oblongis, acutis, glabris; calycibus adpressis; corollis
sub-cylindraceis, costatis; stigma sub-exserta; stamina decem.

Whortle-berry with floral leaves on the branch part of the bunch,
as well as on the partial foot-stalks; leaves quite intire, oblong,
pointed, and smooth; cups pressed to the blossom; blossoms nearly
cylindrical, and ribbed; summit just without the blossom; ten
chives.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Blossom and Cup. 2. The Chives and Pointal, magnified. 3. The Seed-bud a little advanced, with the Cup upon it. 4. A nearly ripe Berry, cut transversely, magnified.

From the number of different new and old known species, of this genus, which we have been enabled to examine this spring; and of which drawings have been made, (a figure from one of them being intended to be given in each successive No. till they are finished;) we are more fully confirmed, in what was asserted in a former part of the work, that V. Arctostaphyllus, with the greater part of those plants, now known as Vacciniums, should be placed in Decandria. It is true, a certain latitude has been given by Linnæus, in an observation on the genus, by allowing, that a fourth in addition to the usual number is frequently found, in the different parts of the flower. But when so essential a part of the fructification is, with a very few exceptions, constant through a numerous genus, we cannot but think, in a system, founded chiefly on that basis, that in such case, the mere character of the fruit should give way to first principles; and that those with ten chives should be placed to Andromeda. Or, if the distinction of a dry, from a moist capsule, should be thought of sufficient weight, on which to form a new genus, those species, with ten chives, and berries, might be so arranged. Indeed, the difference in the general habit, of those with ten, from those with eight chives, would well warrant such an alteration. But such a change we have declined making, upon the grounds we have, and are determined to pursue; not to alter any established name, if even a little erroneous; but only to point out the error, or the apparent necessary alteration.

This species of Whortle-berry was first introduced, (according to the Kew Catalogue,) in 1770, by Mr. William Young, from N. America; and is consequently hardy enough to bear the severity of our common winters. It should be planted in sandy peat earth, on a dry, sheltered border. It is propagated by layers, which should be put down in spring, and taken off the succeeding summer. The leaves of this species are deciduous, when planted in the open ground; but, if kept in the greenhouse, where it will be found very ornamental, it becomes an evergreen. Our figure was made at the nursery, Hammersmith, in May this year.

PLATE XCVIII.

PULTENÆA DAPHNOIDES.

_Daphne-like Pultenæa._

CLASS X. ORDER I.

_DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Ten Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, campanulatum, utrinque
appendiculatum; ore quinquedentato, acuto.

COROLLA papilionacea, pentapetala.

_Vexillum_ sub-cordatum, erectum. _Alæ_ oblongæ, vexillo breviores. _Carina_ dipetala, petalis alis conformibus.

STAMINA. Filamenta decem, distincta, assurgentia, longitudine
carinæ. Antheræ simplices, minimæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen ovato-oblongum. Stylus subulatus, magnitudine et
situ staminum. Stigma acutum, recurvatum.

PERICARPIUM. Legumen subrotundum, apice mucronatum, uniloculare,
bivalve.

SEMINA duo, sub-rotunda.

EMPALEMENT. Cup of one leaf, bell-shaped, having an appendage on
each side; the mouth five-toothed, sharp.

BLOSSOM. Butterfly-shaped, five petals.

_Standard_ nearly heart-shaped, upright. _Wings_ oblong, shorter than the standard. _Keel_ two petals, which are like those of the wings.

CHIVES. Ten threads, distinct, turned up at the ends, the length of
the keel. Tips simple, very small.

POINTAL. Seed-bud oblong-egg-shaped. Shaft awl-shaped, the size and
situation of the chives. Summit sharp-pointed and recurved.

SEED-VESSEL. Shell nearly round, with a sharp point on the end, of
one cell and two valves.

SEEDS two, roundish.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Pultenæa foliis alternis, obovatis, glabris, mucronatis; floribus
terminalibus, capitatis.

Pultenæa with alternate leaves, inversely egg-shaped, smooth, with
a sharp point at the ends; flowers terminate the branches growing
in heads.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Cup, with its two appendages, magnified. 2. The Standard of the Blossom. 3. One of the Wings of the Blossom. 4. The two Petals of the Keel. 5. The Chives and Pointal, natural size. 6. The same, magnified. 7. The Pointal. 8. The same, magnified. 9. A half-ripe Seed-vessel, with the Cup remaining attached, magnified.

From the number of species of this genus of plants, already in Britain, we may conclude, that it is one of the most extended in New South Wales; twelve distinct ones have already flowered, drawings of most of them we have, which will be brought forward in due course. Dr. Smith, in the third No. of New Holland Botany, has named this tribe of plants after Dr. R. Pulteney, F. R. and F. L. S. of Blandford, Dorsetshire; well known for his Sketches of the Progress of Botany in England. But there is little doubt, that although no such kind attention as this of Dr. Smith had been shewn, to perpetuate the name of Dr. Pulteney, he had, by his excellent life of Linnæus, insured his own to live for ever. The Pultenæas, in systematic order, rank after, but very close to Sophora; but are little allied in general habit, as are few plants from that country to those of any other. This species was first raised in 1792, in many gardens about the metropolis the same year; but did not flower till 1796. It is a hardy greenhouse plant, generally flowering about the month of May; but the blossom is of short duration. Sandy peat is the soil it most approves; and its increase is produced, either from seeds, which sometimes ripen with us, or from cuttings placed in gentle heat about the month of May. The drawing was made from a plant in the Hibbertian collection at Clapham, this year.

PLATE XCIX.

GLADIOLUS BLANDUS.

_Large White-flowered Gladiolus._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA, sexpartita, ringens.

STAMINA adscendentia.

BLOSSOM, six divisions, gaping.

CHIVES ascending.

See Plate XI. Vol. I. GLAD. ROSEUS.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gladiolus foliis lineari-lanceolatis, nervosis, glabris; floribus
spicatis, secundis, albidis, maximis; laciniis tribus inferioribus
maculatis; stigmatibus sub-bilobis.

Gladiolus with linearly lance-shaped, strongly nerved, smooth
leaves; flowers grow in spikes all from one side of the stem,
white, and very large; the three lower segments of the limb are
spotted; summits nearly two-lobed.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Sheaths of the Empalement. 2. A Flower cut open, with the Chives attached. 3. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summits.

Of all the different species of so handsome a genus, no one is more desirable than this; as the root or plant is preserved with little care, and it rarely misses flowering; at the same time that the blossoms are of long duration, and not subject to injury from the weather; changing to a fine blush colour, when approaching to decay. From the Kew Catalogue we learn, that the G. Blandus was first introduced, from the Cape of Good Hope, by Mr. F. Masson in 1774. It thrives in most sorts of earth, but sandy peat seems the most proper for this, as well as most Cape bulbs. Our figure was taken from a plant in the collection of G. Hibbert, Esq. Clapham, this year, the end of May.

PLATE C.

EMBOTHRIUM SERICEUM.

_Silky Embothrium._

CLASS IV. ORDER I.

_TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Four Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX nullus.

COROLLA. Petala quatuor, linearia, obliqua, apice latiore,
subrotundo, concavo, staminifero; post fœcundationem revoluta.

STAMINA. Filamenta quatuor, brevissima, in singulo petala singula,
vel nulla. Antheræ oblongæ, intra cavitatem petali sitæ, majusculæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen lineare, adscendens, inflexum. Stylus nullus.
Stigma subrotundum, antice planum, postice concavum, magnum.

PERICARPIUM. Folliculus teres, unilocularis.

SEMINA quatuor seu quinque, ovata, compressa, margine altero
membrana alata.

EMPALEMENT none.

BLOSSOM. Four petals, linear, oblique; broad ended, roundish,
concave, and supporting the chive; after the bursting of the tips
they are rolled back.

CHIVES. Four threads, very short, one in each petal, or none. Tips
oblong, placed in the hollow end of the petal, larger.

POINTAL. Seed-bud linear, ascending, and bent. Shaft none. Summit
nearly round, the forepart flat, the hinder concave, large.

SEED-VESSEL. A cylindrical pod of one cell.

SEEDS four or five, egg-shaped, flattened, having a skinny wing at
one edge.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Embothrium foliis sub-ternatis, integerrimis, acutis, margine
revolutis, subtus sericeis; spica recurva; fructu tuberculato,
glabro.

Embothrium with leaves growing mostly three together, entire,
pointed, rolled back at the edge, and silky beneath; spike bent
downward; fruit tuberculated, not downy.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Blossom complete. 2. A Petal of the Blossom, magnified. 3. The Seed-bud and Summit, magnified. 4. A ripe Seed-vessel. 5. A Seed.

Whem the figure of this plant, or a variety of it, was published by Dr. Smith, in the third No. of his New Holland Botany, it had not then flowered in England; and from the leaves only, of the dried specimens, it was scarce possible to trace, amongst such a variety of new faces, this species of Embothrium. It nevertheless was in many collections, and in some, all the varieties, although it had not then flowered in any. About the end of the year 1791 the seeds of this plant, with many others, were received by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, of Hammersmith, transmitted to them from New South Wales, by Col. Paterson. As a hardy greenhouse plant, it will always be coveted, as it is seldom without flowers through the whole year. Our plant appears to differ sufficiently, from the three varieties given by the Doctor, to form a fourth; as the leaves on this are by no means constantly three together, but are often scattered. We have notwithstanding nearly copied his specific character. It should be planted in light sandy peat, and may be increased by cuttings, or by seeds, which occasionally ripen, whilst the plant is still in flower.

PLATE CI.

HYPOXIS STELLATA.

_Star-flowered Hypoxis._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Gluma bivalvis.

COROLLA monopetala, supera; limbus sexpartitus, laciniis ovato
oblongis, patentibus; persistens.

STAMINA. Filamenta sex, brevissima, capillaria. Antheræ oblongæ,
petalis breviores.

PISTILLUM. Germen inferum, turbinatum. Stylus filiformis,
longitudine staminum. Stigma obtusiusculum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula oblongiuscula, basi angustior, coronata
corolla persistente, trilocularis, trivalvis.

SEMINA plurima, subrotunda.

EMPALEMENT. Husk of two valves.

BLOSSOM one petal, superior; border of six divisions, segments
oblong-egg-shaped, and spreading; permanent.

CHIVES. Six very short hair-like threads. Tips oblong, shorter than
the petals.

POINTAL. Seed-bud beneath, turban-shape. Shaft thread-shaped, the
length of the chives. Summit bluntish.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule rather oblong, smaller at the base, crowned by
the permanent blossom, three cells, three valves.

SEEDS many, roundish.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Hypoxis scapo unifloro; foliis sub-linearibus, laxis, striatis;
petalis basi maculatis.

Hypoxis with but one blossom on the flower-stem; leaves nearly
linear, flexible, and scored; the petals spotted at the base.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Chives and Pointal, cleared from the Blossom. 2. A Chive. 3. The Pointal.

Though we have little doubt in referring this plant to the title under which we have figured it, and by which it has been long known to most botanists, at least by name; yet have we great ones, whether it ought in any wise to be considered as such. Thunberg, perhaps the only botanist, who has seen it in flower, thought so, and placed it to a genus he had named Fabricia. Certainly no one character of the genus Hypoxis, can be traced in the flower. The husk is of one valve, the petals not even close at the base, the threads flat, the summits three, and halbert-shaped, the shaft pillar-shape and short, &c. But, as upon our old plea, we do not choose to change generic names when long established, this plant, for us, must still remain an Hypoxis; tho’ it could not now be placed, at any rate, to Fabricia, as that title is given to a family of plants, natives of New Holland. The star-flowered Hypoxis is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, is rather a tender bulb, and does not often flower. It was according to the Kew Catalogue first introduced to the Royal Gardens by Mr. F. Masson, in the year 1788; but as the time of flowering is not mentioned, we suppose it did not flower there. The root should, like other Cape bulbs, be removed from the pot after flowering, and replanted in October. It propagates itself pretty freely by offsets, if planted in light sandy peat, mixed with a little loam. The drawing was made in June, this present year, at the Hammersmith nursery.

PLATE CII.

EPIGÆA REPENS.

_Creeping Epigæa._

CLASS X. ORDER I.

_DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Ten Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium duplex, approximatum, persistens.

_P. exterius_ triphyllum; foliolis ovato-lanceolatis, acuminatis;
exteriore majore.

_P. interius_ quinquepartitum, erectum, exteriore paulo longius;
foliolis lanceolatis, acuminatis.

COROLLA monopetala, hypocrateriformis; tubus cylindricus, intus
hirsutus; limbus patens, quinquepartitus, lobis ovato-oblongis.

STAMINA. Filamenta decem, filiformia, longitudine tubi. Antheræ
oblongæ, acutæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen globosum, villosum. Stylus filiformis,
longitudine staminum. Stigma obtusum, subquinquefidum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula sub-globosa, depressa, pentagona,
quinquelocularis, quinquevalvis.

SEMINA plurima, subrotunda.

_Receptaculum_ magnum quinquepartitum.

EMPALEMENT. Cup double, close together, and remaining.

_Outer cup_ three-leaved; leaflets between lance and egg-shape,
pointed; the outer one the largest.

_Inner cup_ of five divisions, upright, a little longer than the
outer; leaflets lance-shaped and pointed.

BLOSSOM one petal, salver-shaped; tube cylindrical, hairy within;
the border spreading with five divisions, the segments of an oblong
egg-shape.

CHIVES. Ten thread-shaped threads the length of the tube. Tips
oblong, and tapered.

POINTAL. Seed-bud globular and hairy. Shaft thread-shaped, the
length of the chives. Summit blunt, and slightly five-cleft.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule nearly globular, flattened, five-sided, five
cells, and five valves.

SEEDS many, roundish.

_Receptacle_ large, of five divisions.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Epigæa caulibus procumbentibus; foliis cordato-ovatis,
integerrimis, reticulatis; corollis hypocrateriformibus.

Epigæa with stems that lay on the earth; leaves between heart and
egg-shape, quite entire, and netted; blossoms salver-shaped.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two Cups of the Empalement. 2. The inner Cup, disengaged from the outer. 3. A Blossom cut open, to shew its hairy interior. 4. The Chives and Pointal, as they stand in the Blossom. 5. The Pointal, (magnified).

The Creeping Epigæa is the only species of the genus yet in Britain; it was first introduced by P. Collinson, Esq. in 1736, from N. America; where it is found in most parts, from Virginia, as far north as Canada. The flowers of this plant are extremely fragrant, and are produced from March till May. Hitherto, very few situations have been found congenial to its cultivation, or growth; indeed, so subject is it to perish from the moisture, or changeableness of atmosphere in our winter months, to which it is not subject in its native clime, being during that season covered with a deep snow; that unless an occasional supply had not been procured from America, the plant must, long ere this, have been lost to us. The soil which appears best adapted for its preservation, is a light sandy loam: if planted in the open air, it should have a sheltered situation, on a dry border; but the most likely mode to preserve it, is by keeping it as a greenhouse plant. It is with difficulty increased by cuttings, but may be divided at the root, with success, in March. Our figure was made at the nursery of Mess. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, this year, in the month of April.

PLATE CIII.

PROTEA SPECIOSA, _nigra_.

_Black-flowered Protea._

CLASS IV. ORDER I.

_TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Four Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA 4-fida, seu 4-petala. Antheræ lineares, insertæ petalis
infra apicem. Calyx proprius, nullus. Sem. folitaria.

BLOSSOM 4-cleft, or of 4 petals. Tips linear, inserted into the
petals below the points. Cup proper, none. Seeds solitary.

See PROTEA FORMOSA, Vol. I. Plate XVII.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Protea foliis longis, lineari-lanceolatis; squamæ calycinæ
interiores apice incurvatæ, barbatæ, nigræ.

Protea with long leaves, between linear and lance-shaped; the inner
scales of the empalement are turned inward at the end, bearded, and
black.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Blossom complete, as it stands in the Empalement. 2. The four Petals of the Flower thrown open, to shew the situation and character of the tips. 3. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summit.

It is to the curious and beautiful structure of the empalement, (the flowers being nearly concealed within it,) that this species of Protea owes its specific title, and for which it is so much admired. There are different varieties of it, which are considered by Thunberg, in his Diss. de Prot. of 1781, as distinct species; but which are certainly only varieties of one stock: we have drawings of two of these, the one flesh-coloured, the other white; and hope to be able to demonstrate as just, our postulatum, when the synonims are given, as proposed, at the close of this volume. This plant was first introduced to the Royal Gardens at Kew, from the Cape of Good Hope, in 1786, by Mr. F. Masson: it flowers at a very early age, and when the stem is not more than two feet high, mostly from the centre or leading branch of the plant. It is propagated by cuttings, which should be put in about the end of May, three or four, at most, in a pot, filled with good stiff loam, which should be pressed hard to the lower end of the cuttings, and the pot placed under a hand-glass in the shade. When the plants are to be removed into separate pots, it will be necessary to add a small portion of peat earth to the loam, and place them in an airy and dry part of the greenhouse. These directions are necessary to be observed, in the culture of nearly every species of this extended genus. Our figure was taken in the month of July 1799, from a plant in the Hibbertian collection, Clapham-common.

PLATE CIV.

LACHNÆA ERIOCEPHALA.

_Woolly-headed Lachnæa._

CLASS VIII. ORDER I.

_OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Eight Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, persistens; tubo longo, tenui;
limbo quadripartito, inæquali; lacinia summa retrofracta, minima;
laciniis reliquis tribus erectis; intermedia majore.

COROLLA nulla.

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

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

PERICARPIUM nullum. Fructus in fundo calycis.

SEMEN unicum, ovatum.

EMPALEMENT. Cup one leaf, remaining; tube long, slender; border of
four divisions, unequal; the upper segment appearing broke back,
and small; the three other segments are upright; the middle one the
largest.

BLOSSOM none.

CHIVES. Eight hair-like threads, upright, almost the length of the
flower. Tips simple.

POINTAL. Seed-bud egg-shaped. Shaft thread-shaped, fixed into the
side of the seed-bud. Summit a hairy knob.

SEED-VESSEL none. The fruit is in the bottom of the cup.

SEED one, egg-shaped.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Lachnæa capitulis solitariis, lanatis; foliis quadrifariam
imbricatis.

Lachnæa with little bunches of flowers growing solitary and woolly;
leaves are tiled on the stem, forming four regular angles.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The terminating Leaves of the branches, which inclose the small heads of flowers. 2. A Flower, magnified. 3. A Flower cut open, natural size, to shew the insertion of the Chives. 4. The Seed-bud and Pointal, magnified.

The figure of this curious new plant was taken from a specimen most obligingly communicated by the Hon. Wm. Hen. Irby, from his valuable and extensive collection at the Parsonage, Farnham Royal, near Windsor, Bucks. The genus Lachnæa has hitherto, with us, remained in obscurity; as the L. Conglomerata has not as yet flowered, and the L. Eriocephala was not in our collections till within these five years; about which time it was introduced by Mess. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, from the Cape of Good Hope. It differs but little in habit from Passerina Grandiflora, and until it flowered this year, was considered as a variety of that plant. May be propagated with ease by cuttings, and continues to flower from March till August. A mixture of peat and loam is the soil it most approves; but it is very susceptible of damps.

PLATE CV.

VACCINIUM CRASSIFOLIUM.

_Thick-leaved Whortle-berry._

CLASS VIII. ORDER I.

_OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Eight Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX superus. Corolla monopetala. Filamenta receptaculo inserta.
Bacca quadri-locularis, polysperma.

CUP superior. Blossom of one petal. Threads fixed to the
receptacle. A berry with four cells, and many seeds.

Sec Vol. I. Pl. XXX. VACCINIUM ARCTOSTAPHYLLUS.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Vaccinium foliis ovatis, serratis, rigidis crassiusculis; floribus
sub-umbellatis, terminalibus; calycibus adpressis; corollis
campanulatis; stamina decem.

Whortle-berry with oval leaves sawed at the edges, stiff, and
thickish; flowers grow nearly in umbels, at the end of the
branches; cups pressed to the blossom; blossoms bell-shaped; ten
chives.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. Cup and Seed-bud, natural size. 2. A Blossom cut open. 3. The Chives and Seed-bud, the leaflets of the cup cut off, magnified. 4. The Pointal, magnified.

This species of Whortle-berry was introduced from Carolina, about the year 1794, by Mr. J. Fraser, nurseryman. It is another of those with ten chives, five cells in the berry, and five segments in the borders of the cup and blossom. It is an evergreen, and will live through a mild winter, on a warm border; but cannot resist the cold of a severe one, though a small degree of protection is sufficient for its preservation. As a greenhouse plant, it is very decorative, flowering about June; in which month this year our drawing was made, at the Hammersmith nursery, from a plant in that collection. The pabulum best calculated to preserve it in a flourishing state, is a mixture composed of sandy peat two parts, and light loam one part. To propagate it, the younger branches should be laid down about the end of May, and they will be rooted by the ensuing spring.

PLATE CVI.

HOUSTONIA COCCINEA.

_Scarlet Houstonia._

CLASS IV. ORDER I.

_TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Four Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium minimum, quadridentatum, erectum, persistens.

COROLLA monopetala, infundibuliformis; tubus cylindraceus, longus;
limbus quadripartitus, patens, laciniis subrotundis.

STAMINA. Filamenta quatuor, in collo corollæ, minima. Antheræ
simplices.

PISTILLUM. Germen superum, subrotundum, compressum. Stylus simplex,
staminibus brevior. Stigma bifidum, acutum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula subrotunda, didyma, supra transverse
dehiscens, bilocularis, bivalvis; valvulis dissepimento oppositis.

SEMINA pauca, parva, ovata, dissepimento adhærentia.

EMPALEMENT. Cup very small, with four teeth, upright, and
remaining.

BLOSSOM one petal, funnel-shaped; tube cylindrical, long; border of
four divisions, spreading, segments roundish.

CHIVES. Four threads, fixed to the neck of the blossom, very small.
Tips simple.

POINTAL. Seed-bud above, roundish, and flattened. Shaft simple,
shorter than the chives. Summit split in two and sharp.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule roundish, double, splitting transversely from
the upper part, two cells, two valves; the valves opposite to the
partition.

SEEDS a few, small, oval, adhering to the partition.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Houstonia foliis ovatis, glabris, subternis; caulis debilis,
suffruticosus; floribus terminalibus, coccineis.

Houstonia with oval, smooth leaves, growing mostly by threes; stem
weak, rather shrubby; flowers terminate the branches, and are
scarlet.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement and Pointal, the Blossom taken off. 2. The Blossom cut open, to shew its interior structure. 3. The Seed-bud and Pointal, the leaflets of the cup being removed, magnified.

The Houstonia coccinea has been placed, by some late botanical authors, under the genus Hedyotis; but such authorities can have no weight with us, when opposed to an established name, a nearly general conformity in the essential generic characters; and though last, not the least in our estimation, the corroborating testimony of Sir J. Banks, Bart. P.R.S. &c. by whom it was sent to the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1793. It is a native of Mexico, South America; and like the Hemimerises,[A] Fuchsias, Chelones, &c. of that country, is very subject to damp; but being partly herbaceous, the root is most frequently preserved, although the upper part has perished. Though it requires the protection of a greenhouse in winter, it may be made an ornamental plant for the flower borders in autumn, by putting single cuttings, in small pots filled with rich earth, into the heat of a hotbed, early in March, they will be fit to transplant into the open ground the latter end of June, and will flower about August, continuing to blossom till destroyed by the frost; or if taken up and put into large pots, will flower till Christmas. Our figure was taken from a beautiful plant, in the collection of R. H. James, Esq. Grosvenor-place, in 1799.

[A] _These are the two species of an old genus, introduced into the Bot. Mag. of Curtis, under the titles of Celsia liniaris and C. urticifolia._

PLATE CVII.

ALLIUM GRACILE.

_Sweet-scented Garlic._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Spatha communis, subrotunda, marcescens, multiflora.

COROLLA. Petala sex, oblonga.

STAMINA. Filamenta sex, subulata, longitudine sæpe corollæ. Antheræ
oblongæ, erectæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen superum, breve, subtrigonum, angulis linea
insculptis. Stylus simplex. Stigma acutum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula brevissima, lata, triloba, trilocularis,
trivalvis.

SEMINA pauca, subrotunda.

EMPALEMENT. Spath common, roundish, withering, inclosing many
flowers.

BLOSSOM. Petals six, oblong.

CHIVES. Six threads, awl-shaped, often the length of the blossom.
Tips oblong, upright.

POINTAL. Seed-bud above, short, nearly three-sided, the angles
marked by a line. Shaft simple. Summit pointed.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule very short, broad, of three lobes, three
cells, and three valves.

SEEDS a few, roundish.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Allium scapo nudo, tereti, longissimo; foliis canaliculatis,
linearibus; umbella multiflora; corollis albidis; staminibus
subulatis, ad basin cum petalis desinentibus in tubum.

Garlic with a naked flower-stem, cylindrical, and very long; leaves
channelled, and linear; umbel many flowered; blossoms white; chives
awl-shaped, terminating with the petals at the base in a tube.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Blossom cut open. 2. One Petal of the Blossom and its Chive, magnified. 3. The Pointal and Seed-bud. 4. A Capsule with ripe Seeds.

From a plant in the collection of J. Vere, Esq. Kensington Gore, our drawing was made, this year, early in the month of May; and from an accurate scrutiny, are inclined to think it might be considered as a new genus; for certainly it does not well affine to the one here assigned it, in several instances; but as our professed principles are, as rarely as possible, to increase the number of genera, we have retained it under Allium. The flowers of this plant are fragrant in the extreme, at night; so much so, that one is sufficient to scent a large room; the flavour something like the Heliotrope. Being a native of Barbadoes, from whence it was sent by Mr. J. Ellcock in 1791, to Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, it requires the heat of a hothouse, where, without the assistance of the bark bed, it will flower, and increase from the bulb abundantly.

PLATE CVIII.

GERANIUM RENIFORME.

_Kidney-shape-leaved Geranium._

CLASS XVI. ORDER IV. _Of Suppl. system. Veget. 1781._

_MONODELPHIA DECANDRIA._ Threads united. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

MONOGYNA. Stigmata quinque.

FRUCTUS rostratus, penta-coccus.

One POINTAL. Five Summits.

FRUIT furnished with long awns, five dry berries.

See GERANIUM GRANDIFLORUM. Pl. XII. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Geranium foliis reniformibus, crenato-dentatis, tomentosis;
floribus heptandris, subquaternis, purpureis; caule fruticoso,
sub-carnoso.

Geranium with kidney-shaped leaves, between scolloped and toothed
at the edges, and downy; flowers with seven fertile tips, grow
mostly by fours, and are purple; stem shrubby, and almost fleshy.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement cut open, to shew its hollow structure. 2. The Chives and Pointal, natural size. 3. The Threads cut open, to shew their number, as well as the general number of fertile tips, magnified. 4. The Pointal and Seed-buds, magnified.

From the Hort. Cantab. published this year, by the accurate Mr. J. Donn, we learn that this fine species of Geranium was introduced to the Royal Gardens, Kew, about nine years since; yet, till within these two years, it has not been seen in any other collection. Our drawing was made in July 1799, from a plant in the Clapham collection. This Geranium must be treated rather as a dry-stove than as a common greenhouse plant, for it affines much to G. Fulgidum, and a few others, which are inhabitants of the sandy deserts of the more interior parts of Africa, and which require more heat than is proper for those from Table Mountain, or the vicinity of the Cape. It is propagated by cuttings made about the month of March, and placed under a small glass, either in a hotbed, or in the bark bed of the hothouse: it may be increased by the root likewise, and from seed which is sometimes perfected. A compost of cow dung, at least two years old, one part, sea sand one part, and light loam two parts, is the most proper for many of the tenderer sorts of this genus.

PLATE CIX.

CHRYSANTHEMUM TRICOLOR.

_Three-coloured Corn-Marygold._

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

_SYNGENESIA, POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA._ Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Communis hæmisphæricus, imbricatus; squamis arcte
incumbentibus; interioribus per gradus majoribus, margine
scariosis; intimis terminatis squama scariosa.

COROLLA. Composita radiata. Corullulæ hermaphroditæ tubulosæ,
numerosæ, in disco; femineæ duodenis plures, in radio.

_Propria_ hermaphroditis infundibuliformis, quinquefida, patula,
longitudine calycis.

_Femineis_ ligulata, oblonga, tridentata.

STAMINA. Hermaphroditis filamenta quinque, capillaria, brevissima.
Anthera cylindracea, tubulosa, corolla fere brevior.

PISTILLUM. Hermaphroditis, germen ovatum. Stylus filiformis,
staminibus longior. Stigmata duo, revoluta.

_Femineis_ germen ovatum. Stylus filiformis, cum hermaphroditis
æqualis. Stigmata duo, obtusa, revoluta.

PERICARPIUM nullum. Calyx immutatus.

SEMINA. Hermaphroditis solitaria, oblonga. Pappus nullus.

_Femineis_ simillima hermaphroditis.

RECEPTACULUM nudum, punctatum, convexum.

EMPALEMENT. Common, hemispherical, tiled; scales lying close upon
each other; the inner ones becoming gradually larger, skinny at the
edge; the innermost terminating in a skinny substance.

BLOSSOM. Compound radiate. Florets with chives and pointals, of the
centre, tubular and numerous; those with only pointals, of the ray,
twelve or more.

_Individuals_ with chives and pointals, funnel-shaped, five-cleft,
open, the length of the cup.

_Individuals_ with only pointals, ligulate, oblong, with three
teeth.

CHIVES. Those with chives and pointals have five, hair-like, very
short threads. Tips cylindrical and tubular, scarcely shorter than
the blossom.

POINTAL. Seed-bud, where there are chives and pointals egg-shaped.
Shaft thread-shaped, longer than the chives. Summits two, rolled
back.

_Seed-bud_ where there are only pointals egg-shaped. Shaft
thread-shaped the length of those where there are chives and
pointals Summits two, blunt and rolled back.

SEED-VESSEL none. Cup unchanged.

SEEDS of those with chives and pointals solitary, oblong. Feather
none.

Those where there are only pointals like the others.

RECEPTACLE naked, dotted, and convex.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Chrysanthemum erithmi foliis; squamis exterioribus calycis
carinatis; floribus solitariis, tricoloratis.

Corn-Marygold with samphire-like leaves; the outer scales of the
cup keel-shaped; the flowers grow solitary and are three-coloured.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. An outer Scale of the Empalement. 2. An inner Scale of the Empalement. 3. A female Floret of the Circumference, with its Pointal. 4. An hermaphrodite Floret of the Center. 5. The above, magnified. 6. The Chives of an hermaphrodite Floret, magnified. 7. The Pointal of an hermaphrodite Floret, magnified. 8. The Receptacle, natural size.

Mr. James Donn, Curator of the Botanic Gardens, Cambridge, through whose medium we possess this new species of Crysanthemum, informs us, in his catalogue for 1800, that it is a native of the coast of Barbary, and from whence it was first received in 1797. The C. Tricolor is but of annual growth, should be raised on gentle heat about March, and may be either kept in pots, or planted in the open borders, where it will flower from July till October; but much of the brilliancy of the flowers will be lost, if treated in the last manner, as the least wet, or even the dew, will affect their colours. The seeds are perfected in less than a week, after the decay of the flower, and are produced in abundance. Our figure was taken from a plant in the Hammersmith nursery, which had been raised from seed, communicated by Mr. Donn to Messrs. Lee and Kennedy.

PLATE CX.

PROTEA SPECIOSA, _latifolia_.

_Broad-leaved shewy Protea._

CLASS IV. ORDER I.

_TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Four Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA 4-fida, seu 4 petala. Antheræ lineares, insertæ petalis
infra apicem. Calyx proprius, nullus. Semina solitaria.

BLOSSOM 4-cleft, or of 4 petals. Tips linear, inserted into the
petals below the ends. Cup, proper, none. Seeds solitary.

See PROTEA FORMOSA, Pl. XVII. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Protea foliis lanceolato-ovatis; squamæ calycinæ interiores
barbatæ, apice incurvatæ, incarnatæ.

Protea with leaves between oval and lance-shaped; the inner scales
of the empalement are bearded, turned inward at the ends, and flesh
coloured.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Blossom complete, as it stands in the Empalement. 2. The same opened, to shew the situation of the Chives. 3. The Seed bud and Pointal.

The drawing of this magnificent plant was made at the nursery of Messrs. Grimwood and Wykes, Kensington, this year, early in the month of August; as we were informed by Mr. Wykes it was then in flower for the first time in England. In the year 1786 it was sent, in seeds, to the royal gardens, Kew, by Mr. F. Masson, from the Cape of Good Hope; where certainly its beauty must be great; as, even there, amidst that world of beauties, it should be honoured with such a specific title; in which, considering it as only a variety of our P. speciosa _nigra_, we entirely agree with Willdenow; where the last synonim of that species, copied by him in his Sp. Pl. from Ray’s Historia Plantarum of 1719, must have been taken from a plant of this variety. The treatment, and culture of this, and P. Speciosa nigra, are exact in every thing.

PLATE CXI.

GLADIOLUS STRIATUS.

_Streaked-flowered Gladiolus._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA sexpartita, ringens. Stamina adscendentia.

BLOSSOM six divisions, gaping. Chives ascending.

See GLADIOLUS ROSEUS, Plate XI. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gladiolus foliis lanceolato ensiformibus, scapo æquantibus; scapo
subtrifloro, erecto; floribus erectis; corolla ringente, laciniis
acutis, undulatis, medio striatis.

Gladiolus with leaves between lance and sword-shaped, the length of
the flower-stem; generally three flowers on the stem; flowers grow
upright; blossom gaping, the segments pointed, waved, and streaked
in the middle.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two Sheaths of the Empalement. 2. A Flower cut open with the Chives attached. 3. The Seed-bud and Pointal, natural size, one Summit detached, magnified.

This species of Cape Gladiolus was brought to us, from Holland, about the year 1788; it is a very hardy bulb, the flowers continuing perfect more than a week, and are not easily injured either by wind or rain. But the greatest merit of this plant is, that the blossoms are only produced when most of the other species of Ixiæ, Gladioli, &c. have done flowering; which is generally about the end of July. Before the stem decays, the bulb should be taken from the pot, and dried. The increase of this plant is not great, as seldom more than two roots are produced from the old one. Our drawing was made at the Hammersmith nursery, in 1799. Willdenow has a Gladiolus from Jacquin’s Icon. Rar. under the specific title here given to this, undoubtedly not the same plant; but as our name is that by which this species is in general known, and by which it came from Holland, we have not thought fit to alter it.

PLATE CXII.

VACCINIUM DUMOSUM.

_Bushy Whortle-berry._

CLASS VIII. ORDER I.

_OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Eight Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX superus. Corolla monopetala. Filamenta receptaculo inserta.
Bacca quadrilocularis, polysperma.

CUP superior. Blossom of one petal. Threads fixed to the
receptacle. A Berry with four cells and many seeds.

See VAC. ARCTOSTAPHYLLOS, Pl. XXX. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Vaccinium foliis ovatis, acutis, glabris; floribus solitariis,
axillaribus; pedunculis longissimis, bracteatis; corollis
urceolatis subalbidis; stamina decem.

Whortle-berry with oval, pointed, smooth leaves; flowers grow
solitary from the foot-stalk of the leaves, close to the stem;
foot-stalks of the flowers are very long, having floral leaves;
blossoms pitcher-shaped, nearly white; ten chives.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Flower complete. 2. The Cup and its Foot-stalk, with the floral Leaves. 3. The Seed-bud, Pointal, and Chives. 4. The same, magnified. 5. The Shaft and its Summit, magnified.

This species of Whortle-berry is a neat, compact, bushy shrub; and like all the rest of those which have ten chives, and the other parts consonant, can scarcely be considered as a hardy plant; for although it will live through a mild winter, if planted in a warm and dry situation, on an open border; yet it will in general be destroyed, by the severe frosts which happen late in spring. It should be planted in sandy peat earth, with a small portion of light loam; may be propagated by layers, which do not commonly root, sufficiently to be taken off, under two years from the time of their being put down. As a hardy green-house plant it is best preserved in a flourishing state, and will flower about the month of June; in which month, this year, our drawing was made, at the nursery of Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, by whom it was introduced from North America in the year 1783.

PLATE CXIII.

STRUTHIOLA IMBRICATA.

_Tiled-leaved Struthiola._

CLASS IV. ORDER I.

_TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Four Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX, nullus; _nisi bracteas sub germine pro calyce assumas_.

COROLLA monopetala, marcescens; tubus filiformis, elongatus; limbus
quadripartitus, planus, tubo brevior; laciniis ovatis.

_Nectarium_, glandulæ quatuor, seu octo, ovatæ, fauci circumpositæ,
penicillo proprio cinctæ.

STAMINA. Filamenta quatuor, brevissima, intra tubum ocultata.
Antheræ lineares.

PISTILLUM. Germen ovatum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine tubi.
Stigma capitatum, hispidum.

PERICARPIUM coriaceum, ovatum, uniloculare.

SEMEN unicum, acutiusculum.

EMPALEMENT, none; _unless you take the floral leaves at the base of
the seed-bud for the cup_.

BLOSSOM one petal, withering; tube thread-shaped, lengthened;
border of four divisions, flat, shorter than the tube; segments
egg-shaped.

_Honeycup_, four or eight oval glands, placed round the mouth of
the blossom, each being surrounded by its brush of hairs.

CHIVES. Four threads, very short, hid within the tube. Tips linear.

POINTAL. Seed-bud egg-shaped. Shaft thread-shaped, the length of
the tube. Summit, a hairy knob.

SEED-VESSEL leathery, egg-shaped, of one cell.

SEED One, a Little Pointed.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Struthiola foliis ovato-acuminatis, concavis, imbricatis, glabris,
margine ciliatis; glandulæ quatuor supra faucem.

Struthiola with oval leaves, tapering to a point, concave, tiled,
smooth, and hairy at the edges; four glands upon the mouth of the
blossom.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Flower with its floral leaves, or cup. 2. The floral Leaves or Cup, magnified. 3. A Flower cut open, magnified. 4. The Seed-bud, Chives, and Pointal, magnified.

The Genus Struthiola, from the few species yet known, has been but slightly considered. Linnæus, at the end of his Generic Character, affines it to Passerina; it is true, the habits of S. virgata, and S. erecta, which are undoubtedly only varieties of the same stock, and the only two he had seen, might lead to such a comment; but, from the seven species of which we have drawings, all taken from living plants, and which will be brought forward in due course, we consider them, as perfectly distinct, in more essential characters than merely the number of chives. The acute and diligent Willdenow, in his new edition of Sp. Plant. enumerates five species from Thunberg, &c.; but from his notes of observation, prefixed to each, he had not seen either living or dried specimens of any, but the two above named. The characters in which we observe this genus to differ from Gnidia and Passerina, are, first, a cup of two leaves, constant in every species we have examined, for they cannot be considered as floral leaves, being attached to the base of the blossom, and joined together at the bottom; secondly, the honeycup forming a complete cincture to the mouth of the flower, and upon which are seated, four, or eight, upright glands. This species of Struthiola was first raised in England, at the nursery, Hammersmith, from the Cape of Good Hope, in the year 1794. It is a tender green-house plant, and very subject to be destroyed by wet; therefore, should be protected from too much rain in summer, and kept in an airy part of the house in winter. It is propagated by cuttings made in the month of May, or June, and should be planted in light, sandy peat, mixt with about one sixth part of loam. The flowers of this, as well as all the species we have seen, are extremely fragrant in the evening, beginning to smell with the setting sun, and continuing their flavour till morning. An agreeable peculiarity attendant on most plants of this natural order, and on every species of this genus, in particular, is, that they flower twice in the year, about the month of March, and again in September; in which month, last year, our drawing was made, from the Hibbertian collection, Clapham Common.

PLATE CXIV.

GERANIUM QUINQUEVULNERUM.

_Variegated flowered Geranium._

CLASS XVI. ORDER IV. _Of Suppl. System. Veget. 1781._

_MONODELPHIA DECANDRIA._ Threads united. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

MONOGYNA. Stigmata quinque.

FRUCTUS rostratus, penta-coccus.

ONE POINTAL. Five summits.

FRUIT furnished with long awns, five dry berries.

See GERANIUM GRANDIFLORUM, Pl. XII. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Geranium foliis hispidis, multifidis; floribus heptandris;
pedunculis multifloris; petala atropurpurea, margine pallido; caule
suffruticoso, spithamæo.

Geranium with hairy leaves many-cleft; flowers with seven fertile
chives; foot-stalk, many flowers; petals dark purple, pale at the
margin; stem half shrubby, grows a span high.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, cut open as far as to the solid part. 2. The Chives and Pointal. 3. The Chives cut and spread open, magnified. 4. The Pointal, magnified.

This beautiful species of Geranium was raised by Mr. J. Armstrong, nurseryman of Northwarmborough, Hants, from seeds received by him, in 1796, from the Cape of Good Hope. From a branch, in fine flower, brought to us, this year, in the month of June, by Mr. Dickinson, our drawing was made; who informs us, that the ordinary treatment of common Geraniums, is all that is required for this; that it is increased by cuttings, or from a division of the root, in spring. It has not, as yet, produced any perfect seed; although it has flowered abundantly these two years, from May till October. It has something the habit of G. triste, or the Night-smelling Geranium; but differs from that species, in having a short shrubby stem, the leaves shorter and harsher, and the flowers entirely without smell.

PLATE CXV.

GERANIUM TOMENTOSUM.

_Downy-leaved Geranium._

CLASS XVI. ORDER IV. _of Suppl. System. Veg._ 1781.

_MONODELPHIA DECANDRIA._ Threads united. Ten Chives.

_See Geran. Grandiflorum. Pl. XII. Vol. I._

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

MONOGYNA. Stigmata quinque.

FRUCTUS rostratus, penta-coccus.

One POINTAL. Five Summits.

FRUIT furnished with long awns, five dry berries.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Geranium foliis ovatis, plicatis, erectis, serratis, tomentosis;
floribus pentandris; filamentia duobus superioribus revolutis,
ciliatis.

Geranium with egg-shaped leaves, plaited, upright, sawed, and
downy; flowers with five fertile chives; the two upper threads
rolled back and fringed.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement. 2. The Chives and Pointal, natural size. 3. The Chives cut open, magnified. 4. The Pointal, and Seed-bud.

The Downy-leaved Geranium, according to the Hort. Cantab. of Mr. Donn, introduced from the Cape of Good Hope, in the year 1794, is a dwarf growing, and rather delicate species, of this extended and very mutable tribe of plants; producing its flowers about the month of August. It is to be increased from the seeds, which sometimes ripen; or by cuttings, taken off in the month of March, and placed on a gentle hotbed; but if delayed to be made till much later, it will be found difficult to propagate by this mode. Less of dung and more loam, than is necessary for most Geraniums, will preserve this plant best through the winter; in which season, it should be kept in a dry and airy part of the greenhouse, to avoid the damps, which otherwise, often prove fatal to it.