Chapter VI: Part 6

That the charm of novelty, however erroneous or absurd, has found at all times its votaries, we have daily experience; therefore cannot wonder at, though we may regret its consequent influence on the many, who wish to signalize themselves, under its delusive banner. This observation naturally obtruded on our imagination, upon the perusal of the last Number of the Bot. Mag. where the Kidney-leaved _Crane’s-bill_ is mentioned as “_one of the rarest of the Geranium tribe_;” are we to understand Geranium in this place as a new title for a natural order of plants; or, as solely confined to one Genus? Poor Geranium! although thou hast been so long excluded from thy station, in scientific English, yet shalt thou not lose thy due weight, against all thy opponents, in pure descriptive English prose; and perhaps some day may be deemed, by the learned, worthy a place amongst English Genera. With Mr. Donn, we humbly conceive the old title Crane’s-bill, as ill adapted to the three Genera of M. L’Heritier; and that, if new Latin names are to be foisted on us, for plants already well known, and settled, by that great master of the science, Linnæus; to whose opinion ours shall ever bow, English ones consonant, should be likewise adopted; and that Heron’s-bill for Erodium, Stork’s-bill for Pelargonium, and Crane’s-bill for Geranium, will prove no greater puzzle to the English Botanist. Unfortunately we are, and have been, so attached to old fashions, that we still mean to continue the title Geranium, as it is apparently best understood; whether, in English or Latin, descriptive, or scientific; as long as the public shall continue so honourably to patronize the Botanist’s Repository.

PLATE CXVI.

GAULTHERIA PROCUMBENS.

_Trailing Gaultheria._

CLASS X. ORDER I.

_DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Ten Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium duplex, approximatum, persistens.

_P. exterius_ diphyllum, brevius; foliolis semiovatis, concavis,
obtusis.

_P. interius_ monophyllum, quinquesidum campanulatum; segmentis
semiovatis.

COROLLA monopetala, ovata, semiquinquesida; limbo parvo, revoluto.

_Nectarium_ corpusculis decem, subulatis, erectis, brevissimis,
cingentibus germen intra stamina.

STAMINA. Filamenta decem, subulata, incurva, corolla breviora;
receptaculo inserta. Antheræ bicornes; corniculis bifidis.

PISTILLUM. Germen subrotundum, depressum. Stylus cylindricus,
longitudine corollæ. Stigma obtusum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula subrotunda, obtusa, pentagona, depressa,
quinque locularis, quinque valvis, undique tecta perianthio
interiore transformato et enato in baccam subrotundam, coloratam,
apice perviam.

SEMINA plurima, subovata, angulata, ossea.

EMPALEMENT. Cup double, close together, remaining.

_Outer Cup_ two leaved, shorter; leaflets half egg-shaped, concave,
and blunt.

_Inner Cup_ one leaf, five-cleft, bell-shaped; segments half
egg-shaped.

BLOSSOM one leaf, egg-shaped, slightly five-cleft; border small,
rolled back.

_Honey-cup_ ten small substances, awl-shaped, upright, very short,
surrounding the seed-bud within the chives.

CHIVES. Ten threads, awl-shaped, turned inwards, shorter than the
blossom; fixed into the receptacle. Tips two-horned; horns two
cleft.

POINTAL. Seed-bud roundish and flattened; Shaft cylindrical, the
length of the blossom. Summit obtuse.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule roundish obtusely five-sided, flattened, five
cells, five valves; covered on all sides by the inner cup,
transformed and swelled to a roundish berry, coloured, open at top.

SEEDS many, nearly egg-shaped, angular and hard.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gaultheria foliis ovatis, obtuse-dentatis, apice confertis; caulis
flexuosus, filiformis.

Gaultheria with egg-shaped leaves, bluntly toothed, and crowded
together at the top; stem grows zigzag and thread-shaped.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Blossom complete. 2. The Empalement, natural size. 3. The Empalement, magnified. 4. The Chives as they stand on the receptacle, magnified. 5. The Pointal and seed-bud, with the surrounding honey-cup, magnified. 6. The inner Cup of the Empalement, when the fruit is ripe, natural size. 7. A seed vessel of the natural size when ripe, detached from its cup. 8. A ripe capsule, cut open transversely.

From the eighth Ed. of Miller’s Dictionary, we learn that, this plant was cultivated at the Physic Gardens, Chelsea, in the year 1765. That so ornamental, and so easily propagated a plant as the Gaultheria, should have been so little noticed, or cultivated in our gardens, is rather singular; as, it is perfectly hardy in every exposure, an evergreen, and from the beautiful appearance of the fruit and flowers, which come in succession nearly through the whole year; must be considered, as one of our prettiest creeping or dwarf shrubs, for the front of the shrubbery borders, &c. as it never rises higher than six, or eight inches; forming a compact matted clump, which may be made to spread to a considerable extent, if planted in light sandy peat earth. The very curious conformation of the fruit, which is eatable, differing from every known Genus of plants; as well as, the peculiar property of the leaves; point out the Gaultheria, as a particular object for observation, and comment, to the experimental Botanist. In Canada, North America, where it is native, an infusion of the leaves is used as a substitute for tea; or a few of them, either dried, or plucked fresh from the plant, when mixt with the commonest bobea, communicate to it a flavour, equal to fine Hyson.

PLATE CXVII.

GENTIANA PURPUREA.

_Purple flowered Gentian._

CLASS V. ORDER II.

_PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA._ Five Chives. Two Pointals.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium quinquepartitum, acutum, persistens; laciniis
oblongis.

COROLLA. Petalum unicum, inferne tubulatum, imperforatum, superne
quinquefidum, planum, marcescens; figura varia.

STAMINA. Filamenta quinque, subulata, corolla breviora. Antheræ
simplices.

PISTILLA. Germen oblongum, cylindraceum, longitudine staminum.
Styli nulli. Stigmata duo, ovata.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula oblonga, teres acuminata, apice leviter
bifida, unilocularis, bivalvis.

SEMINA numerosa, parva. Receptacula duo, singula valvulæ
longitudinaliter adnatæ.

EMPALEMENT. Cup five divisions, sharp and permanent; segments
oblong.

BLOSSOM. Petal only one, lower part tubular, and close; upper part
five-cleft, flat, withering, and variously shaped.

CHIVES. Five threads, awl-shaped, shorter than the blossom. Tips
simple.

POINTALS. Seed-bud oblong, cylindrical, as long as the chives.
Shafts none. Summits two, egg-shaped.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule oblong, cylindrical, tapering, slightly cleft
at the end, one-celled, and two valves.

SEEDS numerous and small. Receptacles two, joined to each valve
longitudinally.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gentiana corollis campanulatis, 6-7 fidis, atropurpureis,
punctatis, verticillatis; calycibus membranaceis, sub-spathaceis,
truncatis.

Gentian with bell-shaped blossoms, 6-7 cleft, deep purple, dotted
and whorled; empalement skinny, almost sheathed, and appearing cut
off at the ends.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement. 2. A Blossom, complete. 3. The same cut open, to shew the situation of the Chives. 4. Half the Seed-bud split longitudinally, to shew its interior structure. 5. A Seed-vessel, nearly ripe.

As a native of the Helvetian Alps, the Purple flowered Gentian is consequently, a hardy plant with us, requiring only to be planted in a light soil; may be increased from the seeds, which are produced in abundance, or by parting the root in autumn. The seeds are perfected, within a fortnight after the flower is decayed; and should be sown on light sandy peat, covering them very slightly, as soon as possible after they have been dried.

There appears a strange variety of opinions amongst Botanists concerning this, and two other species of Gentian, the Punctata and the Pannonica; which, as many have observed, although denied by others, are only varieties of each other; surely, a slight variation in height, the shape of the divisions of the border, or what is of less consequence, (as they vary, in that regard so much, on the same plant) their number; are not of sufficient weight to form a specific distinction.

This plant is said, in the Hort. Kew. to have been introduced in the year 1768 by Professor de Saussure: from what cause, we cannot judge, if it is so old an inhabitant, why it should not be more plentiful with us; as at present few collections possess it, and it is sold at a very high price. Our drawing was made at the Nursery, Hammersmith.

PLATE CXVIII.

GLADIOLUS GRANDIFLORUS.

_Large 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, Pl. XI. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gladiolus foliis ensiformibus nervosis; scapo subtrifloro,
longitudine foliorum; floribus erectis, maximis; laciniis corollæ
emarginatis, undulatis, striatis, sub-æqualibus.

Gladiolus with sword-shape leaves, nerved; flower-stem having
mostly three flowers, and of the length of the leaves; flowers grow
upright, and very large; the segments of blossom are notched at the
ends, waved, striped, and nearly of an equal length.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two sheaths of the Empalement. 2. The Blossom cut open, with the Chives attached. 3. The Pointal, and Seed bud.

From the figures in the Collect. and Ic. rar. of Jacquin, we were led to think, this must be the same, or a strong variety of his G. florabundus; but, as his trivial name and specific character so ill accord with our plant, we have continued it under that, by which it was sent to England in 1788. It is a very free blowing bulb, and will live through the winter, with very little protection; flowering about June or July, and does not require to be removed from the pot, to prevent its rotting. Our drawing was taken in June this year, at the Hammersmith Nursery.

PLATE CXIX.

STRUTHIOLA OVATA.

_Oval-leaved Struthiola._

CLASS IV. ORDER I.

_TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Four Chives. One Pointal.

_See Struthiola imbricata, Pl. CXIII. Vol. II._

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

PERIANTHIUM diphyllum. Corolla tubulosa 4-fida; nectarium, glandulæ
octo fauci circumpositæ. Sem. 1. subbaccatum.

CUP two-leaved. Blossom tubular, 4-cleft; honey-cup, 8 glands
placed round the mouth of the blossom. One seed like a berry.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Struthiola foliis ovatis, glabris; ramis glabris, rugosis.

Struthiola with egg-shaped, smooth leaves; branches smooth and
wrinkled.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Blossom, complete. 2. The Empalement, magnified. 3. The Blossom cut open, with the Chives attached, magnified. 4. The Pointal and seed-bud, magnified.

This species of Struthiola is described by Thunberg, in his Prodromus, under the specific title it here bears, and was first introduced to us in the year 1794, in seeds received from the Cape of Good Hope, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith. It is a very tender greenhouse plant, and very subject to be destroyed by damps, or too much moisture, even in summer; the flowers, (as are most of this natural order,) are extremely fragrant and continue in full perfection from March till June. The mode of propagation is by cuttings, made in May, which should be placed under a hand-glass in a pot of light loam, and shaded from the mid-day sun. It thrives best in a mixture of half peat and half loam. The drawing was made in the spring of 1798, from a plant in the Hibbertian Collection, Clapham; then in flower, for the first time in England.

PLATE CXX.

FUCHSIA LYCIOIDES.

_Box Thorn-like Fuchsia._

CLASS VIII. ORDER I.

_OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Eight Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum. Infundibuliforme, coloratura,
superum marcescens; limbus quadripartitus.

COROLLA. Petala quatuor, sessilia, ore calycis inserta.

STAMINA. Filamenta octo, inæqualia, filiformia, erecta, tubo
calycis inserta. Antheræ ovatæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen inserum, ovatum. Stylus filiformis, erectus,
longitudine staminum. Stigma tuberculatum.

PERICARPIUM. Bacca carnosa, ovata, quadri-locularis.

SEMINA plura, parva, receptaculo columnari affixa.

EMPALEMENT. Cup one leaf, funnel-shaped, coloured, above and
withering; border four divisions.

BLOSSOM. Four petals, sitting close on the mouth of the cup, into
which they are inserted.

CHIVES. Eight threads, unequal, thread-shaped, upright, fixed into
the tube of the cup. Tips egg-shaped.

POINTAL. Seed-bud beneath, egg-shaped. Shaft thread-shaped,
upright, the length of the chives. Summit composed of small knobs.

SEED-VESSEL. A fleshy berry, egg-shaped, and four valves.

SEEDS many, small, affixed to a pillar-shaped receptacle.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Fuchsia foliis ovatis undulatis, subternis; pedunculis unifloris,
axillaribus; laciniis calycis reflexis.

Fuchsia with egg-shaped leaves, waved, and growing mostly by
threes; foot-stalks with one flower growing from the insertion of
the leaf, the segments of the cup reflexed.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Flower cut open, to expose the insertion of petals and chives into the cup. 2. The Pointal, complete. 3. A ripe berry, natural size.

No plant perhaps ever excited such universal admiration, as the Scarlet Fuchsia; wherefore, the addition of a second species to our collections, of so fine a Genus, must be considered as a very agreeable acquisition. The Box Thorn-like Fuchsia, is a native of the North-west coast of America; and was first brought to England, in the year 1796: it is certainly, much more tender than the Scarlet Fuchsia, as the plant constantly perishes, as low as to the earth, if not preserved in the hothouse; but whether it is herbaceous the root surviving, we have not sufficient experience to determine. The increase is certain and easy, if cuttings are made, from the young shoots, early in March, and plunged in a hotbed, or in the bark of the hothouse, six or eight in a pot; from which they may be removed, about June, into large pots for flowering, which will be from August till November. Loam, with a small portion of rotten dung, is the soil it most approves.

The specific title we have adopted, is from the very great resemblance the plant bears to Lycium afrum, or the Box-Thorn; although we have some doubts, whether this species may not be the F. triphylla of Father Plumier. But as the F. coccinea, as well as this plant, has frequently the leaves growing by threes; we thought that, as it as yet had no specific title with us, the character of the plant would be best distinguished, by the name we have chosen.

PLATE CXXI.

GERANIUM CORTUSÆFOLIUM.

_Cortusa-leaved Geranium._

CLASS XVI. ORDER IV. _of Suppl. System. Veg._ 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 cordatis, sublobatis, serratis, tomentoso-sericeis;
petiolis longissimis, erectis; floribus umbellatis, odoratissimis,
stipulis subulatis; caule robusto, subcarnoso.

Geranium with heart-shaped leaves, slightly lobed, sawed, and
covered with a downy pile; footstalks very long and upright;
flowers grow in umbels, and are very sweet scented; leaf-props awl
shaped; stem stout, and rather fleshy.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement cut open. 2. The Chives and Pointal, natural size. 3. The same, magnified. 4. The Chives cut open, magnified. 5. The Seed-bud, and Pointal, magnified.

The Cortusa-leaved Geranium is a tender plant, seldom growing to more than a foot in height; producing its blossoms, which are extremely fragrant, in erect bunches, from the summit of the branches, and must be protected, through the depth of winter, in the hothouse. The propagation is both slow and difficult, as it rarely perfects any seeds, and forms but few branches. The cuttings when taken off, which ought to be done about the end of May, should be exposed to the sun, till the part where cut has formed a tough coat over the wound, which will take place in two or three days; when they will not be so subject to rot from the moisture of the earth, as if planted when just taken from the plant. These instructions are necessary to be observed, in the propagation of all the thick-stemmed Geraniums, by cuttings. A mixture of sandy peat, with a small quantity of old rotten dung, will prove the best compost for preserving this plant. Our drawing was taken this year, in July, at the Hammersmith nursery. A mistake has arisen with regard to the name of this species of Geranium; which was evidently not known to any botanist, antecedent to its being brought to England in 1786 by Mr. A. Hove, a native of Poland, from the south west coast of Africa, and found by him in about the 23d degree of south latitude. Professor Martyn, in his new edition of Miller’s Dictionary, article Pelargonium 43, has taken for granted that this is the plant designed by Professor Jacquin, where he treats of G. cortusæfolium; giving the G. tabulare of Burman, Linnæus, &c. as synonymous to it; but undoubtedly, no such intention could be in the Professor, as the uniting these two plants, which are so entirely dissimilar; but only an unfortunate inclination to alter an old established name, for one, which he conceived more appropriate to a well known, common species; whence the confusion; the constant consequence of such useless alterations, whether generic or specific.

PLATE CXXII.

GLADIOLUS GALEATUS.

_Helmet-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 ALATUS, Vol. I. Pl. VIII.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gladiolus foliis sub-ovatis, costatis, mucronatis; spathis
carianatis, tubo longioribus; lacinia summa concava, sub-erecta.

Gladiolus with leaves nearly egg-shaped, ribbed, and pointed at the
ends; sheaths keeled, and longer than the tube of the blossom; the
upper segment concave, and almost upright.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two sheaths of the Empalement. 2. The Chives, with part of the tube of the Blossom, to which they are attached. 3. The Pointal and seed-bud.

We are certainly led to think with Thunberg, that this plant is not a species, but a very singular and beautiful variety, of G. alatus, of which we have seen above six or seven. Nevertheless, upon the authority of Prof. Jacquin, who in his Icones 2. tab. 258, has figured it under this name specifically; and as it has been continued as such, by the accurately discriminating and indefatigable Willdenow; (to whose labours, all lovers of the science are so much indebted, for his invaluable, and copious new Edition of the Species plantarum,) we have thought it but right to acquiesce, without alteration in the name adopted by them. For the management of this plant we must refer our readers to the G. alatus, Pl. VIII. Vol. I. of this work.

The Helmet-flowered Gladiolus was not seen in England, till the spring of the year 1800; when the roots were received at Clapham, from the Cape of Good Hope, sent by the Collector there, for the Hibbertian collection, amongst an infinite number of others; many having flowered this year, of which we have drawings, by permission of the proprietor, and are destined to enrich the Bot. Rep. being perfectly new to this country. The figure of this plant was taken in August, but the regular season of its flowering, must be much earlier (if planted with the other Cape bulbs in October,) that is to say, about the month of May or June.

PLATE CXXIII.

THUNBERGIA FRAGRANS.

_Twining Thunbergia._

CLASS XIV. ORDER II.

_DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA._ Two Chives longer. Seeds covered.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium duplex; _exterius_, diphyllum, foliolis ovatis,
concavis, longitudine fere tubi; _interius_, monophyllum,
multipartitum, laciniis circiter duodecim, subulatis, perianthio
exteriori triplo brevioribus.

COROLLA monopetala; tubus sensim ampliatus; limbus quinquefidus;
laciniis æqualibus, ovatis, obtusissimis, tubo triplo brevioribus.

STAMINA. Filamenta quatuor, tubo supra basin inserta, inæqualia;
duobus inferioribus brevioribus; duobus superioribus tubo breviora.
Antheræ ovatæ, adnatæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen superum. Stylus filiformis, tubo paullo brevior,
erectus. Stigma bilobum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula globosa, rostrata, glabra, bilocularis,
longitudinaliter dehiscens; rostrum compressum, sulcatum, lineare,
obtusum; dissepimentum obovatum, emarginatum, sub apice foramine
perforatum, lateribus membranaceum, persistens.

SEMINA in singulo loculamento bina, reniformia, rugosa, hinc
convexa, inde concava sulco longitudinali.

EMPALEMENT. Cup double; the _outer one_ two-leaved; leaflets
egg-shaped and concave, nearly the length of the tube; the _inner_
one-leaved, many divisions, the segments about twelve, awl-shaped,
thrice as short as the outer cup.

BLOSSOM, one petal; tube widening gradually; border five-cleft;
segments equal, egg-shaped, very blunt, three times as short as the
tube.

CHIVES. Four threads, fixed into the lower part of the tube,
unequal; the two lower-most the shortest; the two uppermost shorter
than the tube. Tips egg-shape, pressed to the threads.

POINTAL. Seed-bud above. Shaft thread-shape, a little shorter than
the tube, and upright. Summit two lobed.

SEED-VESSEL globular, beaked, smooth, two celled, and splits
longitudinally; beak flattened, awl-shaped, linear, and blunt;
partition inversely egg-shaped, notched at the end, pierced with a
hole at the top, skinny at the edges, and remaining.

SEEDS two in each cell, kidney-shaped, rough, convex on one side,
and concave on the other by a longitudinal furrow.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Thunbergia foliis ovato-acuminatis, sub-dentatis; corolla alba,
hypocrateriformis, tubo compresso; caule volubili.

Thunbergia with egg-shaped, tapering leaves, a little toothed;
blossom white, salver-shaped, the tube flattened; stem twining.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The outer cup of the Empalement. 2. The inner cup of the same, magnified. 3. A Blossom cut open, to shew the situation of the Chives. 4. The Shaft and Summit, natural size. 5. The Seed-bud, magnified. 6. A ripe Capsule. 7. A ripe Seed.

The Thunbergia, here figured, is a native of the East Indies, from the Coromandel coast; was introduced to Britain in the year 1796, at the same time with the Ixora pavetta, by the Hon. Lady Dowager De Clifford. It is easily propagated, by cuttings, or from the seeds, which ripen with us: it should be kept in light, rich earth in the hothouse; where it will flower from May, till September; in which month this year our drawing was taken at Kensington Gore from a plant in the collection of James Vere, Esq. But although Dr. Roxburgh’s reason for adopting the specific character he has given it, that the place where it grows is sweet scented, though the plant is not, seems rather a little strained, we have not thought it right to alter it; as unquestionably, any name would have been equally appropriate, since neither the flowers, or any part of the plant, root or branch, has the least scent.

The plant from which this genus was originally formed by the younger Linnæus in his Sup. Plant. P. 46, is a native of the Cape of Good Hope; and we have our doubts, whether this plant ought to be placed with it; for although it accords in the essential character, of a double cup, the only one thought necessary, by Linnæus, to divide it from Barleria; yet, from the number of parts in which it differs from his generic character, such as the shape of the blossom, the length of the pointal, the situation and shape of the chives, the very different shape of the seeds, &c. we are led to think, it ought to be considered as a distinct Genus. But in following such good authority as the able and learned Dr. Roxburg, it is to be hoped, we shall stand excused in continuing the same name he has assigned it, without alteration at least, if not without comment.

PLATE CXXIV.

HELICONIA PSITTACORUM.

_Parrot-billed Heliconia._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Spathæ communes partialesque alternæ, distinctæ,
persistentes.

Perianthium nullum.

COROLLA. Petala tria, oblonga, canaliculata, erecta, acuta,
æqualia.

_Nectarium_ diphyllum; foliolo altero petalis subæquali; altero
brevissimo, canaliculato, uncinato, opposito.

STAMINA. Filamenta quinque, linearia. Antheræ erectæ, longæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen inferum, triquetrum. Stylus staminibus fere
brevior. Stigma longum, gracile, curvatum, capitulo terminali.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula oblonga, truncata, triquetra, trilocularis,
trivalvis.

SEMINA solitaria, oblonga.

CALYX. Sheaths common and partial alternate, distinct, remaining.

Cup none.

BLOSSOM. Petals three, oblong, channelled, upright, pointed, equal.

_Honeycup_ two leaved; one leaflet nearly the length of the petals;
the other very short, channelled, hooked and opposite to the
larger.

CHIVES. Five threads, linear. Tips upright and long.

POINTAL. Seed-bud beneath, three-sided. Shaft scarcely shorter than
the chives. Summit long, slender, curved, and terminating in a
small head.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule oblong, appearing cut off at the end,
three-sided, three cells, three valves.

SEEDS solitary, oblong.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Heliconia. Foliis glaberrimis, lanceolatis; inflorescentia
glaberrima; spadice terminali flexuoso; spathis multifloris,
marginibus revolutis; nectario lanceolato, concavo, integro.

Heliconia with very smooth, lance-shaped leaves; the inflorescence
quite smooth; stem terminating in a zig-zag form; sheaths
containing many flowers and rolled back; honey-cup lance-shaped,
concave, and entire.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Blossom, with the three petals detached from the upper part of the Honey-cup, which is shewn in front with the smaller leaf inclosed within the larger. 2. The Chives, with the lower part of the Honey-cup, to shew their insertion at its base, and the smaller leaf of the Honey-cup in its place. 3. The smaller leaf of the Honey-cup, magnified. 4. The Shaft and Summit, the Summit detached magnified. 5. The Seed-bud, natural size. 6. The Seed-bud cut transversely, magnified.

The Parrot-billed Heliconia, a native of the continent of South America, as well as most of the West India Islands, was first received, in plants, from the island of St. Vincents, in the year 1797, by Thomas Evans, Esq. of Stepney; in whose collection it first flowered, in September 1798, when our drawing was taken. This plant requires a considerable degree of moisture and heat, as well as much root room and rich earth, to make it flower in perfection; as it seldom opens its blossoms freely without such treatment, and even with such assistance, they are to be seen but for a few hours in that state. It propagates from the roots, throwing up a number of suckers from the joints, which are formed at a considerable distance from the plant. The younger Linnæus in his Sup. Plant. of 1781, p. 158, has described this plant under our specific title, but different in some few points; which appear to arise more from his ideas of the various parts, than from any real difference in the plant itself. Swartz in his Obs. 98, gives sheaths to his plant, which Linnæus, we presume, denominates flower stem leaves, &c. yet we have no doubt, but they have both described the same plant; and perfectly agree with Willdenow and Martyn, that the H. psittacorum of both authors is the same, and have as little of this being the plant.

PLATE CXXV.

VACCINIUM PARVIFLORUM.

_Small flowered Whortle-berry._

CLASS VIII. ORDER I.

_OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Eight Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX superus. Corolla monopetala.

FILAMENTA receptacula inserta. Bacca quadrilocularis, polysperma.

CUP superior. Blossom one petal.

THREADS fixed to the receptacle. A berry with four cells, and many
seeds.

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

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Vaccinium foliis lanceolatis, undulatis, venosis; floribus
racemosis; pedunculis longissimis, bracteatis; corolla conica,
striata. Stamina decem.

Whortle-berry, with lance-shaped, waved, and veined leaves; flowers
grow in long bunches; foot stalks of the flowers very long, having
floral leaves; blossom cone-shaped, and streaked. Ten Chives.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Blossom. 2. The Chives magnified. 3. The Seed-bud, Cup, and Pointal, the Summit detached, magnified.

This species of Whortle-berry was first brought, from North America, in the year 1784. It is one of those with ten chives, &c. and of the same nature with those we have already figured; for its treatment, and increase, we must therefore refer our readers to V. formosum, Pl. XCVII. Vol. II. The drawing was taken in May 1799, at the Hammersmith nursery.

PLATE CXXVI.

HIBBERTIA VOLUBILIS.

_Twining Hibbertia._

CLASS XIII. ORDER V.

_POLYANDRIA PENTAGYNIA._ Many Chives. Five Pointals.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium pentaphyllum; foliolis coriaceis, sub-ovatis,
concavis, acutis, persistentibus.

COROLLA. Petala quinque, obcordata, calyce longiora.

STAMINA. Filamenta numerosa, filiformia, receptaculo
fructificationis inserta. Antheræ lineares, erectæ, emarginatæ.

PISTILLA. Germina quinque, ovato-oblonga, desinentia in stylos
flexuosos, longitudine fere staminum. Stigmata simplicia, apice
concava. Corpusculum subulatum, membranaceum in medio germinum,
eorumque longitudine.

PERICARPIUM. Capsulæ quinque ovatæ, trigonæ, uniloculares,
distinctæ.

SEMINA plurima, subrotunda.

EMPALEMENT. Cup five leaves; leaflets tough, nearly egg-shaped,
concave, sharp, and remaining.

BLOSSOM. Five petals, inversely heart-shaped, longer than the cup.

CHIVES. Threads numerous, thread-shaped, fixed into the receptacle
of the fructification. Tips linear, upright, notched at the ends.

POINTALS. Five seed-buds, between oblong and egg-shaped,
terminating in zig-zagged shafts, nearly the length of the chives.
Summits, simple, and hollowed at the top. A small awl-shaped,
skinny substance in the middle of the seed-buds, and of their
length.

SEED-VESSEL. Five capsules, egg-shaped, three-sided, one celled,
and distinct.

SEEDS many, roundish.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Hibbertia foliis obtuse-serratis, obovato-lanceolatis, floribus
solitariis, sessilibus, fœtidissimus.

Hibbertia with obtusely sawed leaves, between lance and inversely
egg-shaped; flowers grow solitary, sitting close on the stem; very
fœtid.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement. 2. A leaf of the blossom. 3. The Chives and Pointals. 4. One Chive, magnified. 5. Pointals apart, as they stand in the center of Chives. 6. The Pointals spread open, with the skinny substance which stands in their center. 7. One of the Pointals, magnified. 8. A Seed-bud, cut transversely. 9. A half ripe seed, magnified.

The Hibbertia volubilis, (as are the three species of which we have seen specimens,) is from New Holland, near Port Jackson; was raised from seeds in many different collections near London in the year 1792. It is a hardy green-house plant, and makes a very handsome climber, for trellis, or pillars in a conservatory. Its growth is very rapid, and its flowers which are very brilliant and specious, continue in succession from May till September. The increase is certain and easy from cuttings, made in the month of May, and placed on a gentle hotbed, or plunged in the bark-bed of the hothouse. It delights in a light sandy peat soil. Our drawing was made from a plant, in the collection of the Hon. Lady Dowager De Clifford, Paddington.

As hitherto this tribe of Plants has not been given to the public by any truly established name; (the different species having been erroneously titled Dillenias, which have many pointals,) and as we find it to differ, from any yet described Genus, we have named it after G. Hibbert, Esq. of Clapham Common, Surry; whose knowledge and fervor in botanical pursuits, as well as liberality in his endeavours to enrich our collections, from every quarter of the globe, but especially from the Cape of Good Hope, has not been exceeded by any; and we are well assured, no name deserves a place, on botanical record, more than that of HIBBERT.

PLATE CXXVII.

JASMINUM GRACILE.

_Slender-stemmed Jasmine._

CLASS II. ORDER I.

_DIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, tubulatum, oblongum; ore
quinquedentato, erecto; persistens.

COROLLA monopetala, hypocrateriformis; tubus cylindraccus, longus;
limbus quinquepartitus, planus.

STAMINA. Filamenta duo, brevia. Antheræ parvæ, intra tubum corollæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen subrotundum. Stylos filiformis, longitudine
staminum. Stigma bifidum.

PERICARPIUM. Bacca ovalis, glabra, bilocularis seu bicapsularis.

SEMINA duo, magna, ovato-oblonga, arillata, hinc convexa, inde
plana.

_Obs._ Figura floris acuminata et obtusa variat. Bacca in aliis
simplex, in aliis dicocca.

EMPALEMENT. Cup one-leaved, tubular, oblong; five-toothed at the
mouth, and upright; remaining.

BLOSSOM, one petal, salver-shaped; tube cylindrical, long; border
five divisions, flat.

CHIVES. Threads two, short. Tips small, within the tube of the
blossom.

POINTAL. Seed-bud roundish. Shaft thread-shaped, the length of the
chives. Summit two-cleft.

SEED-VESSEL. Berry oval, smooth, two-celled or two-capsuled.

SEEDS two, large, oblong egg-shaped, each in its proper seed-coat,
convex on one side, and flat on the other.

_Obs._ The flower varies in its character of tapering to a point,
or in being blunt-ended. In some the berry is simple, in others
double-seeded.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Jasminum petiolis foliorum geniculatis; foliis ovatis, oppositis,
nitidis, simplicibus; floribus umbellatis; laciniis corollæ
obtusis, undulatis.

Jasmine with the foot-stalks of the leaves jointed; egg-shaped
leaves, growing opposite, shining and simple; flowers grow in
umbels; the segments of the blossom are blunt and waved.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Cup. 2. A Blossom spread open, to expose the situation of the Chives. 3. The Shaft and Summit. 4. A ripe Berry. 5. The same cut transversely, to shew the cells and seeds.

The plant here figured, we consider as a distinct species from the J. simplicifolium of Forster, which he describes as a native of the Friendly Isles, in the South Seas; and likewise from the J. oblongum of Burman, which is given (but with a query) as a synonim to the J. simplicifolium of the former Author by Willdenow, in his Sp. Plant. p. 38, Part I. In the year 1792, the seeds of this plant were received by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, with the Bignonia pandorana, and many others, communicated by Colonel Paterson, then commanding a detachment stationed for a time on Norfolk Island, where it is native. To the green-house it is a considerable acquisition, either for a climber, or otherwise, as it is rarely without blossoms from July, till the end of November; being rather more tender than many of its congeners, which are in general destined to that station; it should be placed as nigh the flue, in as dry and airy a part of it as possible. A light, sandy peat soil, without mixture, is the most congenial to its growth; and it is increased by cuttings, made in the month of March, put, from 12 to 20, according to the size of the pot, under a small bell-glass, in the before-named earth, and plunged either in the bark-bed of the hot-house, or in the heat of a common hot-bed.

PLATE CXXVIII.

IXIA POLYSTACHIA. _Var. incarnata._

_Many-spiked Ixia. Var. flesh-colour._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA 6-petala, patens, æqualis.

STAMINA tria, erectiusculo-patula.

BLOSSOM 6-petals, spreading, equal.

SUMMITS three, nearly upright and spreading.

See IXIA REFLEXA, Pl. XIV. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ixia foliis linearibus; scapo spicis pluribus; corollæ laciniis
subreflexis, incarnatis.

Ixia with linear leaves; flower-stem with many spikes of flowers;
segments of the blossom a little bent backwards, and
flesh-coloured.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two Sheaths of the Empalement. 2. A Blossom spread open. 3. The Pointal natural size, with one of the Summits detached, and magnified.

This fine variety of the Many-spiked Ixia was introduced to our collections from the Cape of Good Hope, about the year 1795, with the Reflex-flowered Ixia and many others, in bulbs, communicated by J. Pringle, Esq. to Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith; where our drawing was taken in April 1799. No particular care is required, for the culture or increase of this, other, than what is required for the generality of Cape Ixias.

PLATE CXXIX.

GLORIOSA SUPERBA.

_Superb Gloriosa._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX nullus.

COROLLA. Petala sex, oblongo-lanceolata, undulata, longissima,
totaliter reflexa.

STAMINA. Filamenta sex, subulata, corolla breviora, recto-patula.
Antheræ incumbentes.

PISTILLUM. Germen globosum. Stylus filiformis, staminibus longior,
inclinatus. Stigma triplex, obtusum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula ovalis, triloba, trilocularis, trivalvis.

SEMINA plura, globosa, baccata, duplici serie disposita.

_Obs._ Affinis Erythronio.

EMPALEMENT, none.

BLOSSOM. Petals six, oblong-lance-shaped, waved, very long, totally
bent back.

CHIVES. Six threads, awl-shaped, shorter than the blossom,
spreading out at straight angles from the seed-bud. Tips sideways
on the threads.

POINTAL. Seed-bud globular. Shaft thread-shaped, longer than the
threads, inclined. Summit triple, blunt.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule oval, three-lobed, three-celled, three-valved.

SEEDS many, globular, like berries, disposed in two rows.

_Obs._ The genus has an affinity to Erythronium, or Dog’s-tooth
Violet.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gloriosa soliis cirrhiferis.

Gloriosa with tendril-bearing leaves.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A leaf of the Blossom, with its Chive, as they are fixed together at the base. 2. The Seed-bud, Shaft and Summit; the petals of the blossom being cut off.

The Gloriosa superba, a native of Guinea, as well as the coast of Malabar in the East Indies, is said to be every part poisonous. It is herbaceous, and the roots, which are formed upon the decay of the old one, should be taken from the pot in November, and kept in dry sand till the end of February, when they must be planted in rich earth, composed of one part old rotten dung, and two parts leaf mould or peat earth, then plunged in the bark-bed of a hot-house which is kept at pine heat, to insure their flowering the ensuing August.

Having received a most beautiful branch, of this magnificent plant from the collection of the Hon. the Marchioness of Rockingham, at Hillingdon, near Uxbridge; the impulse was too strong to be resisted, of giving a figure of it in the Bot. Rep. although against our general proposals, as this is certainly, neither a new, or rare plant; having been introduced so early as 1690, by Mr. Bentick. We therefore beg the indulgence of our friends, in this instance; for although the flower is common, and there are many figures of it, in different works, as, Rheede’s Hort. Malab. Vol. 7. frut. scand. 107. t. 57. Plukenet’s alma. 249. t. 116. f. 3. Commelin’s hort. 1. p. 69. t. 35. &c. &c.; yet, as these may not be in the possession of many of the purchasers of our work, we hope it may prove agreeable.

PLATE CXXX.

CERBERA UNDULATA.

_Waved-leaved Cerbera._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium pentaphyllum, acuminatum; foliolis
ovato-lanceolatis.

COROLLA monopetala, infundibuliformis; tubus clavatus; limbus
magnus, quinquepartitus; laciniis obliquis, obtusis, latere altero
magis gibbis; os tubi quinquangulare, quinquedentatum,
stellato-connivens.

STAMINA. Filamenta quinque, subulata, in medio tubi. Antheræ
erectæ, conniventes.

PISTILLUM. Germen subrotundum. Stylus filiformis, brevis. Stigma
capitatum, bilobum.

PERICARPIUM. Drupa maxima, subrotunda, carnosa, a latere sulco
longitudinali excavata, punctisque duobus.

SEMEN. Nux bilocularis, quadrivalvis, retusa.

EMPALEMENT. Cup five leaved, tapering to a point; leaflets between
egg- and lance-shaped.

BLOSSOM one petal, funnel-shaped; tube club-shaped; border large,
five divisions; segments oblique, obtuse, thicker edged on one
side; mouth of the tube five-angled, five toothed, approaching
together in the form of a star.

CHIVES. Five threads, awl-shaped, in the middle of the tube. Tips
upright, and approaching.

POINTAL. Seed-bud roundish. Shaft thread-shaped, and short. Summit
headed, two-lobed.

SEED-VESSEL. A large pulpy fruit, nearly round, fleshy, hollowed on
the side by a longitudinal furrow, and with two punctures.

SEED. Nut two cells, four valves, and bluntly dented at the end.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Cerbera foliis lanceolatis, utrinque attenuatis, undulatis; cymis
ramosis, divaricatis, axillaribus.

Cerbera with lance-shaped leaves tapered to both ends, and waved;
tufts of flowers branching into various directions, and growing
from the foot-stalks of the leaves close to the stem.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, magnified. 2. The Blossom cut open, with the Chives as they stand in the tube, magnified. 3. The Empalement, with the pointal after the blossom has fallen off, magnified. 4. The Seed-bud, magnified.

This conspicuously handsome plant was introduced by W. Forsyth, Esq. to the Chelsea Gardens in the year 1782, from the island of Bourbon, now the Isle de la Revolution, near the coast of Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean. It grows to a very considerable height, perfectly straight, and polished in the stem, something like the Bamboo Cane, from which appearance, till it flowered, it had gone by the name of the fishing rod plant. It must be kept in the bark-bed of the hothouse in rich mould, and should be removed from its pot but seldom, the roots being extremely tender and brittle. The propagation is slow and difficult, as well from the great tendency the part has to rot, where cut, as from the unfrequency of its throwing out any side shoots from the stem. Our drawing was made in July this year, at the Hammersmith nursery; though we understand it flowered in the extensive collection of the Right Hon. the Earl of Tankerville at Walton-upon-Thames, some years since.

Having followed Willdenow, rather than Jacquin, in the Generic name of this plant, our reason is, each species which has hitherto been thrown to this Genus, since its first formation, might well make a distinct one; if every generic or even essential, character, was to be critically attended to. The fruit forming the principal essential character, a specimen of which we have seen, containing two large seeds like C. Manghas, determined us in our adoption.

The descriptions and figures of the two plants, given by Professor Jacquin in his Icon. rar. 2, and Collect. 4, under the genus Ochrosia, are, we conceive, only different specimens of our plant; and are both, as well as Dryander’s critique on Gmelin (see Linn. Trans. Vol. II. p. 227) defective; neither of them having seen but _dried_ specimens, without the fruit; as in this natural order of plants, the flowers being mostly fleshy, many of the principal characters are destroyed in the process of drying; and of course, in such case, must lead to error. Jacquin’s character of _maculata_, quoted by Willdenow as a specific title, though he has rejected the Generic, we suppose, must have been taken from the small blotches on the lower, and which sometimes pervade the upper surface of the leaves, but found only when in the last state of decay, or when artificially dried to preserve them; as by the pressure necessarily employed to that end, the waved, and most ostensible character of the living plant, is done away. As to the C. parviflora of Forster being the same, as either, the Ochrosia borbonica or O. maculata of Jacquin, we must beg leave to dissent from the severe criticiser of Gmelin; upon whose authority, nevertheless, Willdenow has been led to exclude, even as a synonim, the O. borbonica of Prof. Jacquin, which perhaps, if it were not for the increasing of Genera, ought to be the name of the plant.

PLATE CXXXI.

GERANIUM LACINIATUM.

_Ragged-leaved Geranium._

CLASS XVI. ORDER IV. _of Suppl. System. Veg._ 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 radicalibus, integris laciniatisque, petiolis
filiformibus; calycibus monophyllis; Staminibus quinque fertilibus;
radice tuberosa.

Geranium with leaves growing from the root, entire and jagged,
foot-stalks thread-shaped; cups one leaved; five fertile chives;
root tuberous.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, with its tubular part laid open. 2. The Chives and Pointal, as they stand in the blossom, magnified. 3. The same cut open, and detached from the Pointal, magnified. 4. The Pointal, magnified.

The Ragged-leaved Geranium may be considered as an herbaceous plant, for it rarely retains its leaves longer than September; and when in a state of inaction, should be watered but sparingly, otherwise the root will be subject to rot. It may be increased by parting the roots about March, which should be afterwards planted in rich mould, and placed on a shelf in the hot-house; where they will flower in May or June. From an imported plant, in the Hibbertian collection, our drawing was made this year.

A continual harping on the same subject, may perhaps appear rather tiresome; but, as almost every real new species of Geranium, which falls under our observation, seems to add a fresh proof of the futility of the new arrangement, we cannot forbear noticing it. This species, for instance, has every other essential generic character of Monsieur L’Heritier’s Pelargonium, but unfortunately the most essential. Upon an accurate examination of a number of flowers, before they had expanded, (the only time when it can be truly ascertained), in no one instance, was there more than five tips to be found. Where to place it, with Erodium, or Pelargonium?

PLATE CXXXII.

PROTEA LONGIFOLIA. _Nigra._

_Long-leaved Protea. Black flower._

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 4 petals. Tips linear, inserted into the petals
below the point. Cup proper, none. Seeds solitary.

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

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Protea foliis sublinearibus, angustis, obliquis, rigidis,
longissimis; squamis interioribus, calycis lanceolatis, erectis;
florum plumis atro-purpureis.

Protea with leaves nearly linear, narrow, oblique, harsh and very
long; the inner scales of the cup are lance-shaped and upright; the
plume of flowers of a black-purple.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Blossom complete, with the seed-bud attached. 2. The Petals of the flower opened, to shew the situation of the Tips. 3. The Seed-bud, Shaft and Summit.

This species of Protea, from the Cape of Good Hope, of which we have drawings of three varieties, is as yet, very scarce in this kingdom. The variety here figured, as well as the others of this species, have been hitherto considered as varieties of P. speciosa; with which, however, they have less connexion, than with P. mellifera; but from both they stand quite distinct. Wherefore, we have given them the specific title of longifolia, from the extreme length of their leaves, which are considerably longer, than could be expressed in the figure. We believe this is the first year it has flowered in England, or in any other collection, than the nursery, Hammersmith; where our drawing was made in November. It is most difficult, or indeed almost impracticable, to increase it, as it puts out no side shoots, and certainly damps off, if laid down, where it touches the earth.

From Boerhaave’s having arranged this species of Protea, (See his Index to the Leyden Garden, Part 2. from P. 185 to 189,) with his Lepidocarpodendrons, after _fig. 187_, which is our P. mellifera; Willdenow has been led into an error; since he has given this plant, the 188 Fig. of Boerhaave, as a synonim to P. speciosa, which ought not to be so taken, unless we understand, that he meant all his Lepidocarpodendrons as only varieties of each other; the principal distinguishing feature, in P. speciosa, being the incurved and fringed character, of the inner scales of the empalement.

PLATE CXXXIII.

PROTEA LONGIFOLIA. _Ferruginoso-purpurea._

_Long-leaved Protea. Rusty-purple flower._

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 four petals. Tips linear inserted into the
petals below the point. Cup proper none. Seeds solitary.

See PROTEA SPECIOSA. Pl. XVII. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Protea foliis sub-linearibus, angustis, obliquis, rigidis,
longissimis; squamis interioribus calycis lanceolatis erectis;
florum plumis ferruginoso-purpureis; conus subglobosus.

Protea with nearly linear leaves, narrow, oblique, harsh and very
long; the inner scales of the cup are lance-shaped and upright; the
plume of flowers are of a rusty-purple; the cone nearly
globe-shaped.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Blossom complete, with the seed-bud attached. 2. The Petals of the flower spread open, to expose the situation of the Tips. 3. The Seed-bud, Shaft and Summit.

That the attention of the scientific and other collectors and cultivators of exotics, in this kingdom, may be brought to a better acquaintance, with this fine, very extended, yet much neglected Genus; the species of which, now in Britain, amount to more than seventy, has been our chief aim, in endeavouring to lay before them, figures of some of the most rare and beautiful; one of which we deem the present.

This variety of Long-leaved Protea, is figured in Boerhaave’s Index to the Leyden garden, Part 2. p. 186, as one of his Lepidocarpodendrons, and has been given, by Willdenow in his Sp. plant. Tom. I. p. 531, as a synonim of P. speciosa, quoted from Thunberg’s prod. 27. Diss. de Prot.

The culture and treatment of this plant, is the same as P. speciosa, to which we refer our readers.

From a fine plant, in the Hibbertian collection, our drawing was taken in the month of July this year. It was introduced to us from the Royal Gardens at Schonbrun in Germany, communicated by the superintendant to Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, the seeds having been received from the collector for the Emperor, at the Cape.

PLATE CXXXIV.

IXIA CROCATA. _Var. nig. maculata._

_Crocus flowered Ixia. Var. black spotted._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA 6-petala, patens, æqualis.

STAMINA tria, erectiusculo-patula.

BLOSSOM 6-petals, spreading, equal.

CHIVES three, upright and spreading.

See IXIA REFLEXA. Pl. XIV. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ixia foliis falcatis, flaccidis; floribus alternis, sessilibus;
petalis tribus exterioribus basi gibbis maculatisque.

Ixia with scimitar-shaped limber leaves; flowers grow alternate and
close to the stem; the three outer petals are gouty and spotted at
the base.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two Spaths of the Empalement. 2. The Flower cut open and expanded, with the Chives attached. 3. The Seed-bud, Shaft and Summits, the Summits detached and magnified.

This variety of Crocus-flowered Ixia was introduced, according to the Kew Catalogue, Vol. I. p. 60, in the year 1774, by Mr. F. Masson, from the Cape of Good Hope, and there, is treated as a distinct species, under the name of I. deusta. From the number of drawings we possess of this tribe of plants, having nineteen distinct varieties of this one species, and in the close investigation we have given them, in their flowering, for a number of years; having found them to sport in colour, &c. from the same root, but much more so from seed; enables us decisively to place this plant as a variety to I. crocata. It is one of the most hardy of the Genus, and propagates itself by the root. The flowers are produced about May, in which month 1799, our drawing was taken, at the Hammersmith nursery; since, we have not seen it in any collection; which leads us to think it is not a free blower, as the roots are not scarce.

PLATE CXXXV.

MALVA REFLEXA.

_Reflex-flowered Mallow._

CLASS XVI. ORDER VI. _of Schreb. Gen. Plant. 1789._

_MONADELPHIA POLYANDRIA._ Threads united. Many Chives.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium duplex; _exterius_ triphyllum, angustius;
foliolis cordatis, acutis, persistentibus; _interius_ monophyllum,
semiquinquefidum, majus, latius, persistens.

COROLLA. Petala quinque, obcordata, præmorsa, plana, tubo staminum
basi affixa.

STAMINA. Filamenta numerosa, inferne coalita in tubum, in hujus
apice et superficie secedentia et libera. Antheræ reniformes.

PISTILLUM. Germen orbiculatum. Stylus cylindraceus, brevis.
Stigmata plurima, setosa, longitudine styli.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula subrotunda, composita e loculamentis pluribus,
(tot quot stigmata) bivalvibus, virticillatim inarticulatis circum
receptaculum columnare, tandem dilabentibus.

SEMINA solitaria, rarius duo seu tria, reniformia.

EMPALEMENT. Cup double; the _outer_ three-leaved, narrower;
leaflets heart-shaped, sharp, and remaining; the _inner_ one-leaf,
half five-cleft, larger, broader, and remaining.

BLOSSOM. Five petals; inversely heart-shaped, appearing bit at the
ends, flat, fixed to the tube of the chives at the base.

CHIVES. Threads numerous, united below into a tube, at its top and
surface parted and loose. Tips kidney-shaped.

POINTAL. Seed-bud orbicular. Shaft cylindrical and short. Summits
many, bristle-shaped, the length of the shaft.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule roundish, composed of many cells (as many as
there are tips) two-valved, forming a whorl round a columnar
receptacle not jointed, at length falling off.

SEEDS solitary, seldom two or three, kidney-shaped.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Malva foliis cuneiformibus, inequaliter incisolobatis; petalis
reflexis.

Mallow with wedge-shaped leaves, unequally gashed into lobes;
petals reflexed.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, the inner and outer Cup separated from the Blossom. 2. A Blossom spread open. 3. The Chives and Pointal. 4. The Chives, the connecting tube cut open. 5. The Seed-bud, Shaft and Summit, magnified.

Some light doubts, at first, arose in our minds, that this plant might be M. virgata, the 15th in Professor Martyn’s new arrangement of Miller’s Dictionary, vide art. Malva. But, from the extraordinary length of the branches of M. virgata, there described to be six feet and a half long, and only the thickness of a wheat straw at the base! with dark purple flowers; we cannot but consider this, which never rises to more than a foot and a half or two feet in the stem, with white flowers, excepting a small streak of red at the base of the petals, as a distinct and new species. It is a native of the Cape, and was received in seeds, from thence, in the year 1794. As a hardy green-house plant it is most ornamental; the blossoms, which are quite reflexed when full blown, being produced in succession from March till November, upon every part of the plant. It is increased by cuttings made in May, and placed under a hand-glass on a shady border. Light loam with a small mixture of peat, it the best soil to make it flourish.

PLATE CXXXVI.

GERANIUM CRASSIFOLIUM.

_Thick-leaved Geranium._

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

_MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA._ Threads united. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

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

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

See GERANIUM GRANDIFLORUM, Pl. XII. Vol. 1.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Geranium foliis acuminatis, lobato-pinnatis, sub-carnosis, laciniis
inequaliter dentatis; pedunculis subquadrifloris; floribus
pentandris; petalis æqualibus, purpureis.

Geranium with leaves tapering to the point, winged in lobes and
rather fleshy, the segments unequally toothed; foot-stalks
generally four flowers; the flowers have five fertile tips; petals
equal and purple.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement. 2. One Petal of the Blossom. 3. The Chives and Pointal. 4. The Chives, spread open. 5. The same, magnified. 6. The Pointal, magnified.

The thick-leaved Geranium is a native of the island of Cyprus, and was introduced by Dr. Sibthorpe, on his return from visiting the Grecian islands, in the year 1788. It is, we think, no more than a biennial plant at best, as it seldom survives the second winter, and but rarely the first. If the seeds are sown in the month of March, the plants will flower the ensuing autumn, and generally produce ripe seeds, if kept in a sheltered and warm situation. This plant is unquestionably the true Erodium of L’Heritier, and those who admit of that innovation, being the one, apparently, upon which he formed his Generic distinction; as we believe, no other species, so denominated, has every constituent Essential part necessary to his Genus.

PLATE CXXXVII.

GLADIOLUS NANUS.

_Dwarf 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 lanceolatis, plicatis, pilosis; scapo toto
florigero longitudine foliorum; corolla ringente, laciniis
longissimis, divaricatis, undulatis; spatha trivalvi.

Gladiolus with lance-shaped leaves, plaited and hairy; flower-stem
quite covered with flowers the length of the leaves; blossom
gaping, the segments very long, spreading different ways and waved;
sheath three valved.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The three valved Sheath. 2. A Blossom cut open and expanded, the Chives remaining attached. 4. The Seed-bud, Shaft and its Summits, one of them detached and magnified.