Chapter II: Part 2

1. An outer Petal of the Blossom, shewn from the inside.

2. The Chives, as they stand on the receptacle.

3. The small Head, as formed by the pointals.

4. A Seed-bud and its appendages, a little magnified.

This species of Anemone, is a native of Portugal, having been brought from thence about the year 1788, and first cultivated at the Hammersmith Nursery; the specific title of Lusitanica obtained for a time, but little doubt rests now of its being the A. palmata of Linnæus’s Sp. Pl. p. 758, and of Vahl, Desfontaines, &c. How the plant could first acquire the name of palmata, is certainly a mystery; unless it might be, from the appearance of the fence, which nevertheless but ill accords with that character. Bauhin’s affination, as Cyclamen-leaved, is certainly the most appropriate, as the leaves both in shape, and the colour of the upper and under part, are exact with C. coum. It is rather too delicate for our winters, if exposed in the open borders; but, makes a pretty appearance, in spring, if kept in a pot, in light, rich earth. Like most Anemonies, it propagates best by dividing the roots, which are long and cylindrical; but, care must be taken not to water the pots, for some time after planting, as they are apt to rot, where they are broken.

PLATE CLXXIII.

GERANIUM ROSEUM.

_Rosy Geranium._

CLASS XVI. ORDER IV.

_MONADELPHIA 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 inciso-lobatis, tomentosis, lobis crenatis, obtusis; pedunculis multifloris; floribus erectis, consertis, roseis, pentandris; calycibus monophyllis; radice tuberosa.

Geranium with deeply-gashed, lobed, downy leaves, the lobes scolloped and blunt; flower-stems many flowered; the flowers erect, crowded, rose-coloured and with five tips; cups one-leaved; root tuberous.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, with its hollow tube cut open.

2. The Chives cut open.

3. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summits.

About the year 1794, this species of Geranium was first introduced to the Royal Gardens, Kew, by Mr. Francis Masson, from the Cape of Good Hope. Of all the tuberous kind, this is, certainly, the most specious yet in England; it flowers generally about March, in which month, our drawing was made, from a specimen in the nursery of Mr. J. Colville, King’s Road, Chelsea. Mr. Colville informs us, that the propagation is very difficult, and only to be performed by the root; as the plant does not produce any branches, and that the seeds do not ripen; he keeps it in a mixture of rotten leaves, and sandy peat, in which, it has every appearance of luxuriant health.

PLATE CLXXIV.

ANTHOLYZA TUBULOSA. _Var. flore variegato._

_Tubular Antholyza._ _Striped flowered Var._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA tubulosa, irregularis, recurvata, Capsula infera.

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

See ANTHOLYZA RINGENS, Pl. XXXII. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Antholyza floribus tubulosis, subcylindraceis; scapo disticho, foliis lanceolato-ensiformibus, breviore.

Antholyza with tubular, nearly cylindrical flowers; flower-stem with the blossoms pointing two opposite ways, leaves between lance and sword shaped, shorter.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Blossom of a variety, differing in the paleness, and size of the flowers, and without variegation.

2. The Empalement.

3. A flower cut open, with the Chives attached.

4. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summits, one Summit magnified.

This fine species of Antholyza was received by Messrs. Grimwood and Wykes, Kensington, from the Cape of Good Hope, in the year 1796; they possess three varieties, and we should have been happy to have given a blossom of the third, but, it was out of flower before our drawing was taken, which was, in the end of June, this year. It is a hardy bulb, and increases freely, either by the seed, or from the root, and should be planted in sandy peat, with a small mixture of loam.

PLATE CLXXV.

MELALEUCA ERICÆFOLIA.

_Heath-leaved Melaleuca._

CLASS XVIII. ORDER IV.

_POLYADELPHIA POLYANDRIA._ Threads in many sets. Many Chives.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium turbinatum, germini adnatum, quinquefidum seu quinquedentatum.

COROLLA. Petala quinque, rotundata, calycis margini interiori inserta.

STAMINA. Filamenta numerosa, filiformia, in fasciculos quinque connata. Antheræ incumbentes.

PISTILLUM. Germen turbinatum, fundo calycis adnatum. Stylus filiformis, erectus. Stigma simplex.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula subglobosa, calycis ventre corticata, summitate nuda, trilocularis, dissepimentis contrariis.

SEMINA plurima, oblonga, seu rotundato-angulata, seu alata.

EMPALEMENT. Cup turban-shaped, growing to the seed-bud, five-cleft or five-toothed.

BLOSSOM. Five petals rounded, inserted into the inner margin of the cup.

CHIVES. Threads numerous, thread-shaped, united in five bundles. Tips incumbent.

POINTAL. Seed-bud turban-shaped, growing to the bottom of the cup. Shaft thread-shaped, erect. Summit simple.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule nearly globular, coated by the belly of the cup, the upper part naked, three-celled, partitions contrary.

SEEDS many, oblong, or rounded with angles, or winged.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Melaleuca foliis sparsis oppositisve, linearibus, enerviis, subrecurvis, muticis; floribus sessilibus, apicem versus ramulorum confertis, spicatis.

Melaleuca with scattered or opposite leaves, linear, without nerves, a little turned back and beardless; flowers grow close to the stem, crowded together near the end of the smaller branches in spikes.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Prop, one which is to be found at the base of each flower.

2. A Blossom, natural size.

3. The same magnified.

4. One of the five bundles of Chives, with its Petal, to which it is attached at the base, magnified.

5. The Cup, Seed-bud, Shaft and Summit, natural size, the summit detached and magnified.

The plants from New Holland, of the natural order of Myrti; comprized under the different Genera of Metrosideros, Eucalyptus, Leptospermum, Myrtus, and this present one of Melaleuca; seem, from what we yet know, to constitute a very distinguished part, of the woody vegetable productions of that country: wherefore, we can have little hopes of seeing many of them flower with us, at least, for many years to come. The M. ericæfolia was amongst the first plants raised in 1788, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, from seeds; but, till this year, we believe it has not been seen to flower, in any collection in Great Britain; nor perhaps would it, as yet, had not a large and old plant, been planted out in the novel and elegant conservatory of the Right Hon. the Marquis of Blandford at White Knights, near Reading, Berks, from a branch of which, obligingly communicated by his Lordship, our drawing was taken, the beginning of July, this year.

The Plant grows to the height of six or seven feet, upright, very branching, the branches weeping, and the flowers, which grow in spikes or branches of about six inches in length, project, straight out, from about the middle of the stem.

It grows best in a mixture of two thirds sandy peat, and one third loam; may be propagated by cuttings made, from the tender shoots, in the month of March, and kept under a glass, in the tan bed of the hothouse, or in a melon frame until rooted.

This species of Melaleuca and the Metrosideros Nodosa of Gaertner, 1st Vol. de fruct. p. 172, t. 34, f. 6, we must confider as the same, though made by Dr. Smith, see Linn. Trans. Vol. III. p. 276, distinct species; perhaps from specimens gathered at different times, differently dried, or from different parts of the country.

PLATE CLXXVI.

CRATÆVA CAPPAROIDES.

_Caper-like Cratæva._

CLASS XI. ORDER I.

_DODECANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Twelve Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Schreb. _Gen. Plant. Vol. I. p. 320._

CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, quadrifidum, deciduum, basi planum; laciniis patentibus, ovatis, inæqualibus.

COROLLA. Petala quatuor, oblonga, unguibus tenuibus, longitudine calycis, divisuris inserta.

STAMINA. Filamenta sedecim vel plura, setacea, corolla breviora. Antheræ erectæ, oblongæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen, pedicello filiformi, longissimo, ovatum. Stylus nullus. Stigma sessile, capitatum.

PERICARPIUM. Bacca? carnosa, globosa, maxima, pedicellata, unilocularis, bivalvis.

SEMINA plura, subrotunda, emarginata, nidulantia.

EMPALEMENT. Cup one leaf, four-cleft, falling off, flat at the base; segments spreading, egg-shaped, unequal.

BLOSSOM. Four petals, oblong, claws slender, the length of the cup and inserted into the divisions.

CHIVES. Threads sixteen or more, like bristles, shorter than the blossom. Tips erect, oblong.

POINTAL. Seed-bud on a thread-shaped and very long foot-stalk, egg-shaped. Shaft none. Summit sitting on the seed-bud, headed.

SEED-VESSEL. A Berry? fleshy, globular, large, with a foot-stalk, one-celled, two-valved.

SEEDS many, roundish, notched at the end, dispersed in pulp.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Cratæva foliolis elipticis, glabris; floribus umbellatis, terminalibus, luteo-viridibus, petalis longissimis, apicibus crispis.

Cratæva with eliptical, smooth leaflets; flowers grow in umbels, terminal and yellow green; petals very long, crisped at the ends.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. Shews the Pointal, part of the Chives, and three Petals of the blossom; a few of the Chives, one of the Petals, and the leaves of the Empalement, being removed, the better to exhibit the structure of the blossom.

2. The Pointal, complete.

To Mr. Eldred Elfzelius, a native of Sweden, we are indebted for this species of Cratæva; by whom it was brought to Great Britain, on his return from Sierra Leone, in the year 1795. As a native of that burning clime, it will not endure our winters, without the protection of the hothouse; to which, as a climber, it is a considerable ornament, both in foliage, and flower; the flowers coming, in succession, from June, till August; perhaps, much later, as we believe, this is the first time its blossoms have been produced in England. The propagation is extremely easy, by cuttings; but, to give the plant sufficient vigour for flowering, it must be planted in a border, prepared of old rotten dung, sandy peat, and loam, of each, equal parts; separated from the tan-bed by a partition of boards, sufficiently strong to support the earth, upon the removal of the tan. This method of treating many of the tropical climbers, and even the common Caper, though a native of the south of Europe, has been found necessary to their production of flowers in this country. Our figure was taken from a plant, treated in the above manner, in the Stepney collection; from whence, through the kind indulgence of the truly urbanic, and indefatigable proprietor, T. Evans, Esq. we are in hopes of gratifying our botanical friends, with the figures of a number of plants, new to this country; and of which he is, at present, the sole possessor.

PLATE CLXXVII.

IXIA PUNCTATA.

_Dotted flowered Ixia._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA 6-partita, patens, æqualis.

STIGMATA 3, erectiusculo-patula.

BLOSSOM 6 divisions, spreading, equal.

SUMMITS three, nearly upright, spreading.

See Ixia reflexa, Pl. XIV. Vol I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ixia foliis linearibus, scapo vaginantibus; scapus geniculatus, subtriflorus; laciniis corollæ obovatis, lineato-punctatis, purpureis.

Ixia with linear leaves sheathing the stem; flower-stem jointed, mostly three flowered; segments of the blossom inversely egg-shaped, dotted in lines, and purple.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two valves of the sheath.

2. A Blossom cut open, with the Chives attached.

3. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summits; a division of one of the summits magnified.

This curious Ixia was introduced from the Cape of Good Hope, in the year 1800, by G. Hibbert, Esq. and is, we believe, in the possession of no other in this kingdom. It is a tender bulb, flowering about April, or May, and appears, either by the bulb, or seed, to be slow of increase. The bulb, from which our figure was taken, was planted in light, sandy peat earth.

PLATE CLXXVIII.

FERRARIA PAVONIA.

_Mexican Ferraria._

CLASS XVI. ORDER I.

_MONADELPHIA TRIANDRIA._ Threads united. Three Chives.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Schreb. _Gen. Plant. V. II. p. 451._

CALYX. Spathæ binæ, alternæ, carinatæ, involutæ, unifloræ.

COROLLA monopetala, supera, sexpartita; laciniis oblongis, erecto-patentibus, undulato-crispatis, maculatis; tribus alternis exterioribus latioribus.

STAMINA. Filamenta tria, in tubum cylindraceum, corolla breviorem, connata, superne distincta. Antheræ subovatæ, didymæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen oblongum, triquetrum, obtusum, inferum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine tubi.

STIGMATA tria, profundè bifida.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula oblonga, triquetra, trilocularis, trivalvis; dissepimentis contrariis.

SEMINA numerosa, subrotunda, pulpa involuta.

EMPALEMENT. Sheaths two, alternate, keeled, involute, one-flowered.

BLOSSOM one petal, above, six divided; segments oblong, upright-spreading, crisp-waved and spotted; the three alternate outer ones the broadest.

CHIVES. Threads three, in a cylindrical tube shorter than the blossom, joined together, separate at the top. Tips nearly egg-shaped, double.

POINTAL. Seed-bud oblong, three-sided, blunt, beneath. Shaft thread-shaped, the length of the tube.

SUMMITS three, deeply two cleft.

SEED VESSEL. Capsule oblong, three-sided, three-celled, three-valved; partitions contrary.

SEEDS many, roundish, covered with a pulp.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ferraria corollis sub campanulatis, speciosissimis; laciniis planis, tribus interioribus hastatis, nectariferis; foliis plicatis, basi spathaceis.

Ferraria with blossoms nearly bell-shaped and very shewy; segments plain, the three inner ones are halbert-shaped, and have honey-cups, leaves plaited, sheathing at the base.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two Sheaths of the Empalement.

2. An outer Petal of the Flower.

3. An inner Petal of the Flower.

4. The Chives and Pointal.

5. The Chives spread open.

6. The Pointal complete, one of the summits magnified.

This is, without doubt, the Mexican plant given in the 2nd. Vol. t. 31. f. 2. of Swertius’s Florilegium, published in 1612; by F. Hernandez, in his Nov. Plant. &c. Mex. Hist. p. 276, in 1618; and of Mutis, under the title it here bears, in his Flo. Amer. 1. t. 15; from whom it has been copied into the Suppl. Plant. of the younger Linnæus, p. 407. and continued by Professor Martyn in his Mill. Dic. Art. Ferraria 2. This Genus, which was originally formed on the Ferraria undulata of the Cape, and placed to the class Gynandria by Linnæus, has been so continued by Martyn, &c. but upon what grounds, we are unable to determine; unless the mistake arose from the impracticability of dividing the tube of the chives, from the shaft, in a dried specimen; which, in such transitory flowers as those of Ferraria, Sisyrinchium, Galaxia, &c. all of this class, seem, in that state, to form a perfect unison. Schreber has referred these Genera, in his Ed. of Linn. Gen. Plant. to where they certainly must stand, to Monadelphia. But, although we have continued the plant under the title by which it is generally known, from an adherence to our original principle; yet do we think, it equally necessary to state our opinion, why we consider its generical reference to have been as ill taken up, as the Genus had been ill classified. This plant, as may be seen from our dissections, is much nigher affined to Sisyrinchium, as it wants every essential character of Ferraria, such as a sheath of one leaf, undulated crisped petals, hooded and fringed summits, &c. for we do not consider the length of the tube of the blossom of any moment, as it is not constant. Now, every distinguishing feature of Sisyrinchium are here extant, viz. a sheath of two leaves, flat or plain petals, summits neither hooded or fringed; but our figure will better explain, than words, these strong marked differences. If indeed we were to give an opinion, it certainly would not be in coincidence with Thunberg, by placing the whole Genus to Moræa; but to create a new one from this plant; whose whole structure, but especially from the Nectaria or honey-cups upon the margin of the inner petals, stands eminently distinguished from all others.

This most distinguished plant, was first introduced to this country by Mrs. Hudson of Manchester, about the year 1797; but is now found in most collections round the Metropolis. It is increased by the seed, which ripens in this climate, and from the root, which makes abundance of offsets. The flowers expand in rotation, three or four upon each stem at the interval of a few days; the stem growing to the height of about two feet. So very rapid is the progress of the blossom in its decay, from the time of its opening, which is generally about seven o’clock in the morning; that before twelve, the lustre is gone, and it is quite decayed by three, or four. Our drawing was made at the Hammersmith Nursery in July; and still there were a number of flower stems, which had not, as yet, made an appearance of flowering. It is best grown in peat earth.

PLATE CLXXIX.

AMARYLLIS RETICULATA.

_Netted-flowered Lily-Daffodil._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA 6-petala, campanulata. Stigma trifidum.

BLOSSOM 6-petalled, bell-shaped. Summit three-cleft.

See AMARYLLIS RADIATA, Pl. XCV. Vol. II.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Amaryllis spatha multiflora; corollis reticulatis, purpureis; foliis oblongis, reticulatis, basi attenuatis.

Lily Daffodil, sheath many flowered; blossoms netted and purple; leaves oblong, netted, and tapered at the base.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Petal and its Chive, attached, as it is in the flower.

2. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summit.

The Amaryllis reticulata, a native of Brazil, South America, was first cultivated in the year 1772, at the Hammersmith nursery; the bulbs had been received from Portugal by Edward Whittaker Gray, M.D. of the British Museum; and were by him communicated to Messrs. Lee and Kennedy. Our drawing was made this spring, in May, from a plant in the invaluable, and extensive collection of hothouse plants, at Stepney, belonging to T. Evans, Esq. where it flowers annually.

To ensure the flowering of this plant, it is necessary to plunge the pot in the heat of the bark-bed of the hothouse; and, during the winter months, to keep the earth rather dry, as the bulbs are very subject to rot, without that precaution. It should be planted in a composition of old rotten dung, or leaf mould, and a small proportion of loam.

PLATE CLXXX.

ATRAGENE AUSTRIACA.

_Austrian Atragene._

CLASS XIII. ORDER VII.

_POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA._ Many Chives. Many Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX 4-phyllus. Petala. 12. Semina caudata.

EMPALEMENT 4 leaves. Petals 12. Seeds with tails.

See ATRAGENE CAPENSIS, Pl. IX. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Atragene foliis oppositis, triternatis; foliolis rugosis, ferratis; floribus solitariis, tomentosis, cernuis; calyce magno, cæruleo, marginato.

Atragene with opposite, twice-three-divided leaves; leaflets rough and sawed; flowers solitary, downy, nodding; empalement large, blue, and bordered.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Leaf of the empalement.

2. A Petal of the flower.

3. A Chive complete.

4. The Pointals as they stand in the flower.

5. A ripe seed, with its feathered tail.

This is, unquestionably, the Austrian Atragene of Jacquin’s Vind. 249; and, we think, no one who has had an opportunity of comparing the A. alpina with this plant, but will determine it a distinct species. It is a hardy, climbing shrub; growing frequently, eight or ten feet in a season, and covers itself pretty abundantly with foliage; the foot-stalks of the old leaves becoming cirrhi or tendrils, and the wood growing to a considerable thickness. The flowers begin to appear about May; and continue in succession, till July. It may be propagated by layers; but, the surest mode is by seed, which may be sown as soon as ripe, and which will be perfected from the first flowers, by August. It grows the most flourishing in light rich earth; but will live in the most common. Our figure was made from a plant in the Hammersmith collection, to which it was first introduced in the year 1792.

PLATE CLXXXI.

VACCINIUM VIRGATUM.

_Green-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 one petal. Threads fixed into the receptacle. A berry with four cells and many seeds.

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

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Vaccinium foliis oblongo-ovatis, ferrulatis, deciduis, ramulis viridibus; floribus, sub-umbellatis, axillaribus; corollis, sub-cylindraceis; calycibus apice reflexis. Staminibus decem.

Whortle-berry with oblong egg-shaped leaves, slightly sawed, deciduous, the small branches green; flowers grow rather umbelled from where the leaves are fixed to the stem; blossoms nearly cylindrical; cups reflexed at the upper part. Ten chives.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A flower complete.

2. The Cup.

3. The Chives, Pointal, and Seed-bud, the cup cut off, magnified.

4. A nearly ripe berry.

This species of Whortle-berry was, according to the Kew Catalogue, introduced by Mr. Young in the year 1770. It is a hardy plant; and, as a native of North America, where it is an under shrub of the woods, should be planted in a shady situation, in peat earth. It is rarely killed by our frosts; grows about two feet high, and loses its leaves in winter. Our drawing was made in June, this year, at the Nursery, Hammersmith, where it is propagated by layers.

PLATE CLXXXII.

MALVA DIVARICATA.

_Straddling-branched Mallow._

CLASS XVI. ORDER VI.

_MONADELPHIA POLYANDRIA._ Threads united. Many Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX duplex; exterior 3-phyllus. Arilli plurimi, monospermi.

CUP double; outer three-leaved. Seed-coats many, one-seeded.

See MALVA REFLEXA, Pl. CXXXV. Vol. II.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Malva foliis lobatis, plicatis, dentatis, scabridis; ramis ramulisque divaricatis, flexuosis.

Mallow with lobed leaves, plaited, toothed, and rough; the large and small branches grow straddling, and zig-zagged.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The double Cup.

2. A Flower spread open, with the threads remaining.

3. The Chives cut open, and magnified.

4. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summits, magnified.

As a lively, but little, green-house plant, this species of Mallow has not many equals; and its property of continuing to flower from June, till December, must considerably enhance its value. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and was introduced to us, about four years since. Most collections now possess it, from its facility of increase, may be planted in rich earth, and is increased by cuttings, or seeds, which ripen perfectly in this country. The drawing was made at the Nursery, Hammersmith.

PLATE CLXXXIII.

GARDENIA TUBIFLORA.

_Tube-flowered Gardenia._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, quinquefidum, superum, laciniis erectis, persistentibus.

COROLLA monopetala, infundibuliformis; tubus cylindricus, calyce longior; limbus planus, quinquepartitus.

STAMINA. Filamenta nulla. Antheræ quinque, ore tubi insertæ, lineares, striatæ, longitudine dimidia limbi.

PISTILLUM. Germen inferum. Stylus filiformis seu clavatus. Stigma exsertum, ovatum, obtusum, bilobum, sæpe sulcatum.

PERICARPIUM. Bacca sicca, uni bis seu-quadrilocularis.

SEMINA plurima, depressa, per series imbricatim sibi imposita.

EMPALEMENT. Cup one leaf, five-cleft, above, segments upright, permanent.

BLOSSOM one petal, funnel-shaped; tube cylindrical, longer than the cup; border flat, five divisions.

CHIVES. Threads none. Tips five, fixed into the mouth of the tube, linear, striped, half the length of the border.

POINTAL. Seed-bud beneath. Shaft thread-shaped or club-shaped. Summit standing out, egg-shaped, obtuse, two-lobed, often furrowed.

SEED-VESSEL. A dry berry, one, two, or four-celled.

SEEDS many, flattened, lying upon one another in tiers.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gardenia inermis; foliis elipticis, undulatis, floribus ternis; corollæ laciniis tortis, linearibus, reflexis, tubo filiformi, longissimo.

Gardenia without thorns; with eliptical, undulated leaves; flowers grow by threes; the segments of the blossom are twisted, linear, reflexed, the tube thread shaped, very long.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Cup and Seed-bud.

2. A Blossom cut open, with the Chives remaining at the mouth.

3. The Shaft and its Summit, the summit detached and magnified.

The Tube-flowered Gardenia was introduced to Britain, in the year 1789, from Sierra Leone, and must, therefore, be treated as a tender hot-house plant. It grows, with us, to the height of about two feet before it flowers; and, from the beauty and size of the leaves, the regular, opposite manner in which it forms its branches, becomes a very handsome shrub. The flowers, which are produced in July, grow generally three together, at right angles, from the insertion of the leaves, in a bunch, which lasts about six or eight days, having but one flower open and perfect at a time, the decaying ones becoming brown. It is propagated, with ease, by cuttings, made in the month of March, and kept under a bell-glass, in a pot of stiffish loam, in the bark-bed of the hot-house, or a melon frame. The agreeable character, of a delicate fragrance, attendant on the blossoms of most species of this genus, is eminently powerful in this. Our drawing was made at the Hammersmith nursery; where, it was first raised, from seeds received in a present, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, from the Hon. Sierra Leone Company.

PLATE CLXXXIV.

PERGULARIA MINOR.

_Smaller Pergularia, or West-coast Creeper._

CLASS XX. ORDER VI. _of Linn. Gen. Plan. 1764._

_GYNANDRIA DECANDRIA._ Chives on the Pointal. Ten Chives.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, quinquefidum, erectum, acutum, persistens.

COROLLA monopetala, hypocrateriformis; tubus cylindricus, calyce longior; limbus quinquepartitus, planus; laciniis oblongis.

_Nectarium_, duplex; _exterium_ quinquefidum, quinquedentatum, plicato-angulatum, dentibus acutis, incurvis, apice corniculis nutantibus, approximatis; _interium_ quinquefidum, exteriori basi adnatum, squamulæ membranaceæ, apice denticulatæ, obtusæ, singula involvens stamina duo, alterna.

STAMINA. Filamenta decem, capillaria, brevia, divaricata, per paria adnexa glandulis quinque stigmati affixis. Antheræ pellucidæ, luteæ, subrotundæ.

PISTILLUM. Germina duo oblonga. Stylus brevissimus, carnosus. Stigma corpusculum conicum, obtusum, carnosum.

PERICARPIUM. Folliculi duo, uniloculares, introrsum dehiscentes per longitudinem.

SEMINA numerosa, parva, subrotunda.

EMPALEMENT. Cup one leaf, five-cleft, upright, pointed and remaining.

BLOSSOM one petal, salver-shaped; tube cylindrical, longer than the cup; border five-divided, flat, segments oblong.

_Honey-cup_, double; _the outer_, five-cleft, five-toothed, plaited into angles, with the teeth pointed, incurved, approaching at the point by small nodding horns; the _inner_ five-cleft, growing to the base of the outer, scales skinny, toothed at the end, blunt, each covering two opposite chives.

CHIVES. Threads ten, hair-like, short, straddling, connected by pairs to five glands fixed to the summit. Tips transparent, yellow, roundish.

POINTAL. Seed-buds two, oblong. Shaft very short, fleshy. Summit a conical, obtuse, fleshy substance.

SEED-VESSEL. Two follicles, one-valved, splitting lengthways from the inside.

SEEDS numerous, small, roundish.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Pergularia foliis cordatis, acutis, apicibus tortis; laciniis corollæ ovatis, erectis, luteis.

Pergularia with heart shaped leaves, sharp-pointed and twisted at the ends; the segments of the blossom are egg-shaped, upright, and yellow.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement.

2. A flower cut open.

3. The parts of fructification magnified.

4. Two Scales of the honey-cup as they are attached together, magnified.

5. An outer Scale magnified.

6. An inner Scale magnified.

7. The Seed-buds, Shaft, Summit, and Chives magnified.

That a just judgment may be formed, upon what grounds we have taken up a specific distinction, between the only two species we possess of this genus; so dissimilar in our opinion, but, which have been considered as scarcely to be deemed varieties, by much abler botanists than ourselves profess to be; we have given the figures of both in consequence. Much is it to be regretted, that the whole natural order of plants forming the Apocineæ of Jussieu, so charactered in themselves, have not undergone a proper revision, in classification, upon the original Linnæan sexual principles; which, we must suppose, have been left in the present bewildered chaos, from the intricacy, singularity and minuteness of the parts, being so difficult to develope. From critical and actual observations, taken from the living plants, we are in hopes of being able to illustrate, and correct where necessary, the characters of such as may come under our review.

Upon the changing the class of this genus, there needs no comment; as most authors seem to allow, though they have not followed the hint, that it is properly Gynandrous; although they have not equally agreed as to the Order; some taking the glands, surrounding the summit, for the chives, and some, for the summits themselves, of a columnar shaft. Dr. Smith, who has figured our other species, has justly taken, the parts fixed to the five glands, for what they certainly are; as may be easily traced through the whole order of Orchideæ, where the chives are nearly similarly placed and so hooded.

The Genus is by no means new, in name, having been so titled by Linnæus, from the names of Pergulans and Pergulanus of Burman and Rumphius; who derived them from the use made of the plants by the natives, of the western coast of the peninsula of India; where, they are cultivated to form arbors, for the agreeable flavour of their flowers. This species was first introduced about the year 1784, by Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. some time before the other species; wherefore, we have given it the preference. It is propagated by cuttings, and should be treated in the same manner as directed for the Cratæva capparoides of our last Number, to have it flower in perfection. The figures of both species were taken, in August, from two plants in the collection of J. Vere, Esq. Kensington Gore; where, Mr. Anderson (to whom we must beg our sincere acknowledgments for his frequent and ready observations and assistance) informs us, they are treated in such manner.

PLATE CLXXXV.

PERGULARIA ODORATISSIMA.

_Sweet Pergularia, or Chinese Creeper._

CLASS XX. ORDER VI. _of Linn. Gen. Plant. 1764._

_GYNANDRIA DECANDRIA._ Chives on the Pointal. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CONTORTA. Nectarium duplex, genitalia involvens; squamulæ _exteriores_ quinque, cuspidatæ; quinque _interiores_, membranaceæ, singula squamula occultans stamina duo alterna.

COROLLA hypocrateriformis.

CONTORT. Honey-cup double, concealing the parts of fructification; the _outer_ scales are five, and spear-shaped; the five _inner_ are skinny, each scale covering two alternate chives.

BLOSSOM salver-shaped.

See PERGULARIA MINOR, Pl. CLXXXIV. Vol. III.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Pergularia foliis cordatis, senioribus subtomentosis; laciniis corollæ margine revolutis, tortis, linearibus, reflexis, viridibus.

Pergularia with heart-shaped leaves, the older ones rather downy; the segments of the blossom rolled back at the margin, twisted, linear, reflexed, and green.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement.

2. A Blossom.

3. The same, cut open.

4. The parts of fructification, as they appear when covered by the honey-cups, magnified.

5. The outer scale of the Honey-cup, magnified.

6. The inner scale of the Honey-cup, magnified.

7. The two Scales, as they are connected together at the base.

8. The Pointal, with the Chives; the Shaft, Summit, and Chives, with the bodies connecting the Chives, detached and magnified.

This species of Pergularia is a native of China, from whence it was received in the year 1789, by Lady Hume; in whose collection at Wormleybury, Herts, it first flowered in 1791. It is cultivated and increased in the same manner as the P. minor, and is equally fragrant. We have little doubt that our two species comprise four, of the different authors who have collated from each other; we shall take the last, Willdenow. The P. glabra and P. Japonica as our P. minor; and the P. purpurea and tomentosa as our P. odoratissima. The P. edulis of Thunberg is certainly Cynanchum.

PLATE CLXXXVI.

IXIA SPECIOSA.

_Deep crimson Ixia._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA sexpetala, patens, æqualis. Stamina tria, erectiusculo-patula.

BLOSSOM six petals, spreading, equal. Chives three, upright spreading.

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

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ixia foliis linearibus, medio costatis, gramineis; scapus biflorus, filiformis; corollis sub-campanulatis, profunde coccineis.

Ixia with linear leaves ribbed in the middle and grassy; flower-stem two-flowered and thread-shaped; blossoms rather bell-shaped and of a deep crimson.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement.

2. A Flower cut open.

3. The Pointal, one of the tips magnified.

Although this species is not scarce, yet, from the general method of treating it, that is, by giving it no more heat than has been found necessary for the generality of Cape Ixias, few have seen its blossoms, though they possess the roots. To ensure their flowering, as soon as the bulbs are well rooted, which will be about January, if planted in October; they may be then put into the heat of a melon or cucumber frame, or taken into the hothouse, where they will flower about the latter end of May. This Ixia was first introduced, from Holland, about the year 1778, under the name of Ixia Kermosina speciosa; and, under that title, is to be found, in most collections; wherefore, considering it a distinct species, having drawings of two varieties, we have continued the specific name of speciosa. Our drawing was made at the Hammersmith nursery, in May 1799.

PLATE CLXXXVII.

ECHITES SUBERECTA.

_Oval-leaved Echites._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium quinquepartitum, acutum, parvum.

COROLLA monopetala, infundibuliformis; limbus quinquefidus, planus, patentissimus.

_Nectarium_ glandulis quinque, germen circumstantibus.

STAMINA. Filamenta quinque, tenuia, erecta. Antheræ rigidæ, oblongæ, acuminatæ, apice convergentes.

PISTILLUM. Germina duo. Stylus filiformis, longitudine staminum. Stigma oblongo-capitatum, bilobum, glutine antheris adnexum.

PERICARPIUM. Folliculi duo, longissimi, uniloculares, univalves.

SEMINA plurima, imbricata, coronata pappo longo.

EMPALEMENT. Cup five-parted, pointed, and small.

BLOSSOM one-petal, funnel-shaped; border five-cleft, flat and spreading very much.

_Honey-cup_ five glands, standing round the bud.

CHIVES. Five threads, slender, erect. Tips stiff, oblong, tapered, and closing together at the top.

POINTAL. Seed-buds two. Shaft thread-shaped, the length of the chives. Summit oblong-headed, two-lobed, attached to the tips by a glutinous substance.

SEED-VESSEL. Two follicles, very long, one celled, one valved.

SEEDS many tiled, crowned with a long feather.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Echites pedunculis racemosis; foliis ovalibus, obtusis, mucronatis; floribus luteis, amplissimis; corollæ tubus hirsutus.

Echites with bunched foot-stalks; leaves oval, blunt and pointed at the ends; flowers yellow and very large; the tube of the blossom hairy.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Cup.

2. A Flower cut open, with the chives remaining, but detached from each other.

3. The Chives and Pointal as they are in the flower, the lower part of the blossom remaining, the upper cut away, magnified.

4. One of the Chives a little magnified.

5. The Pointal and Seed-buds, magnified.

The Lady Dowager De Clifford received this plant from the island of St. Vincent’s, in the year 1794; and we much question, whether it was ever seen in Britain prior to that period; although said to be cultivated in 1759, by Millar, in the 7th Edit. of his Dictionary, and from thence, collated into the Kew Catalogue, p. 289, Vol. I. It is a climbing plant, if supported; but does not grow to any considerable height, if kept in a pot. The best method of treating this plant, is the same as that proposed for the Cratæva capparoides, Pl. 176. Vol. III. The specific name Suberecta, of Jacquin and Browne, must undoubtedly have been taken from the plants which grow in the Savannas; where, they seldom acquire above the height of two feet. The whole plant, from which, if any part is cut or broken, there issues a milky substance, is considered by Dr. Browne as poisonous. Our figure was taken at Messrs. Lee and Kennedy’s, this year, in August. It is propagated by cuttings, put in about the month of May.

PLATE CLXXXVIII.

GLADIOLUS CAMPANULATUS.

_Bell-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 Pl. XI. Vol. I. GLADIOLUS ROSEUS.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gladiolus foliis lanceolatis, nervosis, glabris; scapo subtrifloro, foliis longior; corolla sub-campanulata, palidè purpurea, laciniis sub-æqualibus; stigmatibus bifidis.

Gladiolus with lance-shaped leaves, nerved and smooth; flower-stem mostly three-flowered, longer than the leaves; blossom rather bell-shaped, of a pale purple, the segments nearly equal, with the summits two-cleft.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Sheaths of the Empalement.

2. A Flower spread open, with the Chives attached.

3. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summits, one Summit detached and magnified.

The Bell-flowered Gladiolus, was amongst the number of those imported from Holland, in the year 1794, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith; when they partook of that large collection, brought to Haarlem by a Frenchman; who had been long resident at the Cape of Good Hope, where he had cultivated most of the bulbs prior to his bringing them to Europe. Nothing particular is required for the management of this, more than the most common of the Genus, from the Cape. It flowers in May, and increases by the root; the seeds rarely ripen.

PLATE CLXXXIX.

ZINNIA VERTICILLATA.

_Double Zinnia._

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

_SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA._ Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

RECEPTACULUM paleaceum. Pappus aristis 2 erectis. Calyx ovato-cylindricus, imbricatus. Flosculi radii 5, persistentes, integri.

RECEPTACLE chaffy. Feather with 2 upright awns. Empalement cylindrical-egg-shaped, and tiled. Florets of the ray 5, remaining and entire.

See ZINNIA VIOLACEA. Pl. LV. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Zinnia foliis verticillatis, sessilibus; floribus pedunculatis; flosculi radii sæpe tria series.

Zinnia with leaves growing in whorls without foot-stalks close to the stem; flowers with foot-stalks; the florets of the ray often three rows.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. An outer female Floret of the ray, the seed attached, a little larger than nature.

2. An inner hermaphrodite Floret of the disk, with its seed and skinny chaff, magnified.

3. The Chives, Pointal, and Seed of an hermaphrodite Floret, divested of its corolla, magnified.

The English specific title to this plant, should seem to imply, that the flowers are such, as should not come into our arrangement; but, as the character is not constant in all the flowers, even on the same plant, it cannot be considered but as a specific character in this particular species, though the name has its proper force, in contradistinction to its congeners, in our language. It is a native of Mexico, South America; and was introduced to our gardens about the year 1789, by Monsʳ Richard, from the Paris gardens, at the same time with the Virgilia; a most beautiful annual, of the habit of Arctotis, now lost in both countries from the difficulty of procuring ripened seeds. It is to be raised in the same manner as the other species, on a gentle hot-bed, in March, and planted out the beginning of May. The flowers make their appearance about the beginning of August, and continue, in succession, till they are destroyed by the frost. To be certain of the seed, the heads must be taken from the plant, whilst they appear yet fresh; as the petals are persistent, and have not the appearance of entire decay, though the seed is nearly ripe; for if the receptacle once begins to rot, (which it is very subject to,) the seeds are immediately contaminated and spoilt. Our figure was taken, this year, at the Hammersmith Nursery, where, it was grown first in this kingdom.

PLATE CXC.

GERANIUM ASTRAGALIFOLIUM.

_Astragalus-leaved Geranium._

CLASS XVI. ORDER IV.

_MONADELPHIA 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 pinnatis, hirsutis, foliolis rotundato-ovatis; calycibus monophyllis; petalis undulatis ad basin tortis; staminibus quinque fertilibus; radice tuberosa.

GERANIUM with winged, hairy leaves; leaflets of a roundish-oval shape; cups one-leaved; petals waved, twisted at the base; five fertile chives; root tuberous.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement.

2. The Chives and Pointal.

3. The Chives spread open and magnified.

4. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summits, magnified.

By the Kew Catalogue we are informed, that this species of Geranium, was introduced to this country, in the year 1788, by Mr. F. Masson. It is, like many of this branch of the extended family of Geranium, rather a tender Green-house plant; and will not flower, in perfection, without the assistance of the Hot-house. It loses its foliage after flowering, and remains in a state of inaction for at least three months; during which period, it should be watered but seldom, and that sparingly. To propagate it, the only mode is, by cutting small portions of the root off, and putting them into the strong heat of a hot-bed, about the month of March; as hitherto, it has not perfected any seeds with us, and the plant produces no branch, except the flower-stem may be so denominated. Our drawing was made from the Clapham Collection, in July, this year. This species has been considered by Professor Martyn, (see his edition of Mill. Dict. article Pelargonium 2.) as the same with G. pinnatum, and G. prolificum of Linn. Sp. Plan. But, however, the specific characters in Linnæus, of those species, may agree with our figure, the G. Astragalifolium of Jacquin and Cavanilles, they are, unquestionably, all different plants; drawings of the two former we have, and will be given in due course.

PLATE CXCI.

PLATYLOBIUM SCOLOPENDRUM.

_Scolopendra-like stemmed Flat-Pea._

CLASS XVII. ORDER IV.

_DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA._ Threads in two Sets. Ten Chives.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium, campanulatum quinquedentatum; laciniis tribus inferioribus acutis, patentibus; duabus supremis maximis, obtusis, obovatis, vexillo adpressis.

COROLLA papilionacea.

_Vexillum_, obcordatum, emarginatum, erectum, maximum.

_Alæ_ vexillo breviores, obtusæ, semi-obcordatæ, basi denticulatæ.

_Carina_ obtusa, compressa, longitudine et figura alarum.

STAMINA filamenta decem, coalita in vaginam, supra semifissam, apice libera, æqualia, assurentia. Antheræ subrotundæ, versatiles.

PISTILLUM. Germen lineare, pilosum. Stylus incurvatus, glaber. Stigma simplex.

PERICARPIUM. Legumen pedicellatum, compressum, obtusum, mucronatum, uniloculare, dorso alatum.

SEMINA, plurima, compressa, reniformia.

EMPALEMENT. Cup bell-shaped, five-toothed; the three lower segments pointed, spreading; the two upper very large, obtuse, pressed to the standard.

BLOSSOM butterfly-shaped.

_Standard_, inversely heart-shaped, notched at the end, upright, very large.

_Wings_ shorter than the standard, obtuse, half inversely heart-shaped, toothed at the base.

_Keel_, obtuse, flattened, the length and shape of the wings.

CHIVES. Ten threads, united into a sheath, half cleft on the upper side, separate at the top, equal and turned upwards. Tips roundish, versatile.

POINTAL. Seed-bud linear, hairy. Shaft turned inwards, smooth. Summit simple.

SEED-VESSEL. Pod with a footstalk, flattened, obtuse, with a small point, one-celled, winged along the back.

SEEDS many, flattened, kidney-shape.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Platylobium foliis ovatis, glabris; ramis ramulisque compressis, alatis, margine, cicatrisatis, floribus solitariis.

Flat-pea with egg-shaped smooth leaves, larger and smaller branches flat, winged and hatched at the edges; flowers solitary.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, natural size.

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, with part of the cup, magnified.

6. The Seed-bud magnified.

This Genus of plants was first named by Dr. Smith, in the Linn. Trans. Vol. II. 350, from the P. formosum, which he afterwards figured in the New-Holland specimens, Tab. VI. Our species was introduced, to Britain, in the year 1792, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy. It is a hardy greenhouse plant; but has not, hitherto, been increased in this country. It must be planted in very sandy peat earth, and not much watered, in winter, as too much wet is apt to destroy it. The young branches, which in the old plant appear much more like leaves, (as seldom any leaves are produced from the upper part of the plant, after a certain age,) are very tender; but in time become as tough as leather, and are almost equally pliable. Our drawing was taken in May 1799, from a plant, we believe, the first that flowered in England, in the Hibbertian Collection.

PLATE CXCII.

ANTHOLYZA FULGENS.

_Refulgent-flowered Antholyza._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA tubulosa, irregularis, recurvata. Capsula infera.

BLOSSOM tubular, irregular and bent backward. Capsule beneath.

See ANTHOLYZA RINGENS, Pl. XXXII. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Antholyza floribus tubiformibus, curvatis, coccineis, fulgentibus; laciniis corollæ maximis, patentibus; foliis longissimis, glabris, basi attenuatis.

Antholyza with trumpet-shaped flowers, curved, scarlet, and refulgent; the segments of the blossom very large, spreading; leaves very long, smooth, and tapered at the base.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. Part of a Leaf, cut from the upper part.

2. The two sheaths of the Empalement.

3. The Flower cut open, with the chives attached.

4. The Pointal and Seed-bud; one of the summits detached and magnified.

This most beautiful genus does not possess amongst its numerous species, (drawings of twenty-two of which we have) a rival to A. fulgens; whether, for the size of the plant, which grows to the height of three feet, or the extreme brilliancy of its blossoms, which frequently make a spike near a foot in length. The roots should not be taken from the pots, but shifted into fresh earth annually, which may be a composition of half sandy peat, and half loam, as the leaves do not decay, until fresh ones are produced. Our figure was taken at the Hammersmith Nursery, in May 1800, to which it was first brought, from the Cape of Good Hope, in 1792. It increases by the root.

In a cotemporary, and something similar publication to our own, we were sorry to observe, a rising itch to do away, what, under the conduct of its original scientific proprietor, was allowed by all, to constitute its chief merit and utility; especially to those, “_who wish to become scientifically acquainted with the plants they cultivate_.” The late Mr. Curtis, pursuing the path he planned, with rigour, to prevent confusion, and avoid as much as possible the greatest difficulty of the science; seldom altered a commonly known, or established name; unless absolutely necessary to systematic arrangement. We were naturally led to these obvious observations, from the hints thrown out in the last Number of the Bot. Mag. in which, the A. tubulosa of all the collections, which possess the plant, and so named and figured by us, in the preceding Number of the Botanists Repository, has a new generic and specific title; and in which a gentleman “_with INFINITE skill_” of the name of Gawler, the acknowledged father of the innovation, is spoken of as qualified to scrutinize and rectify the “_errors, false synonims, and blunders upon blunders, which have from carelessness_, &c.” crept into the, of course, insignificant labours of a Linnæus, a Jacquin, a Thunberg, a Willdenow, or a Curtis. It may perhaps be an acquisition to the science, that, since such confusion prevails amongst “_the most learned Botanists_,” from their “_acknowledged inability to determine those plants_;” which, nevertheless, they have all foolishly attempted to do, we have one at last, whose “_scrutinizing_” eye “_has been able to make out all Linnæus’s and even Thunberg’s species_.” This elucidation, of so intricate a subject, by a person whose knowledge of living plants, we fear, does not lead him, scarcely, to an acquaintanceship with the difference of face in a Plane from a Poplar, must be matter of infinite moment, to those, “_who wish to become acquainted with the plants they cultivate_;” and the small trouble, to most persons, of learning new, and ousting the old names for plants, which have been long rivetted to the memory by habitual use, will be amply compensated, by the pleasure of novelty, which must necessarily result, from the certain alteration in some part of the title, of every plant which has hitherto, or is to come under, this learned judge’s dictatorial fiat. Our opinions, as do our labours, run counter to these new fashions, of rendering a difficult science easy; and our road must still be in the old track of the trifler Linnæus.

PLATE CXCIII.

GERANIUM LINEARE.

_Linear-petalled Geranium_.

CLASS XVI. ORDER IV.

_MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA._ Threads united. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

MONOGYNA. Stigmata quinque.

FRUCTUS rostratus, 5-coccus.

ONE POINTAL. Five Summits.

FRUIT furnished with long awns; five dry berries.

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

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

GERANIUM foliis lanceolatis, obtusis, subsinuatis; petalis subæqualibus, linearibus; floribus pentandris; radice tuberosa.

GERANIUM with leaves lance-shaped, obtuse, and a little scolloped at the edges; petals nearly equal, linear; flowers with five fertile chives; root tuberous.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement cut open, to shew its hollow structure.

2. The Chives and Pointal natural size.

3. The Chives spread open, magnified.

4. The Pointal, magnified.

This is another of those curious tuberous Geraniums, which have been introduced to this country, by Mr. Niven; who was sent to the Cape of Good Hope by G. Hibbert, Esq. for the sole purpose of enriching his Gardens and Herbarium, (now, we presume, the first in Europe) with the vegetable productions of that country. It has no apparent difference, in habit, to require any other treatment than has been mentioned in the former part of this work, as necessary to the rest of its congeners. Our drawing was taken, from the Clapham Collection, in July 1801; the roots having been received the preceding autumn.

PLATE CXCIV.

HEMEROCALLIS ALBA.

_White Day-Lily._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA campanulata; tubo cylindrico. Stamina declinata.

BLOSSOM bell-shaped; tube cylindrical. Chives declining.

See HEMEROCALLIS CÆRULEA, Pl. VI. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Hemerocallis foliis cordatis, petiolatis; corolla alba, tubo longissimo.

Day-Lily with heart-shaped leaves that have foot-stalks; blossom white, tube very long.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Chives and Pointal, as they are placed in the flower.

2. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summit.

3. A ripe Seed-vessel of its natural size.

4. The Seed-vessel cut transversely, to shew the situation and number of the cells and valves.

5. A ripe Seed, natural size.

The White Day-Lily is from the same country, and of the same date in our gardens, as the Blue; figured in the First Vol. Pl. VI. and was introduced through the same medium. It is herbaceous, and generally flowers, if kept in the hot-house, about August; having that true and constant character of the genus, and from which it had its name, the producing but one solitary, perfect flower, per diem, till all the blossoms on the spike are exhausted; which, in this species, are much more abundant than in any of the others. It is increased by the root or seed.

This plant, we presume, is the same as those specified under the different titles of Lilium Longiflorum, and L. Japonicum, in Willdenow’s new edition of the Species Plant.; the L. candidum, and L. Japonicum, of Thunberg’s Japan; and the L. Longiflorum of the Linn. Trans. Vol. II. P. 333. The Hemerocallis formerly figured by us, under the specific title of Cærulea, we take to be, the Hemerocallis Japonica, and Lilium Cordifolium of Willdenow; the H. Cordata of Thunberg’s Japan; and the Hemerocallis Japonica, and Lilium Cordifolium of the Linn. Trans. Vol. II. p. 332. Willdenow, who had never seen even dried specimens of the plants in question, has hence been led to place the same plant, under different genera; and to consider the Hemerocallis of the Botanists Repository, as only a variety of H. Japonica, but still admitting it as an Hemerocallis. Now, as we have no doubt, (nor do we think any one can, that will take the trouble to examine the dissections given with each figure,) that if the one is an Hemerocallis, the other must be admitted of the same family; so, have we made no scruple in rejecting the generic name of Lilium, for the present plant; although we would gladly have adopted the specific one of Longiflora, had not that of Alba, already obtained so generally in our gardens; a rule, for our direction, paramount to all others as to specific denomination.

PLATE CXCV.

HYPOXIS OBLIQUA.

_Oblique-leaved Hypoxis._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA sex-partita, persistens, supera. Capsula basi angustior. Spatha bivalvis.

BLOSSOM six-parted, remaining, above. Capsule narrower at the base. Sheath two-valved.

See HYPOXIS STELLATA. Pl. CI. Vol. II.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Hypoxis scapo subtrifloro, piloso, longitudine foliorum; pedunculis flore triplo longioribus; foliis lineari-lanceolatis, oblique flexis, glabris; radice fibrosa.

Hypoxis with mostly three flowers on the stem, which is hairy, the length of the leaves; foot-stalks three times the length of the flower; leaves linearly lance-shaped, obliquely bent downward, smooth; root fibrous.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Petal of the Blossom, with its Chive, as attached to its base.

2. The Seed-bud, on its foot-stalk, with a part of the tube of the blossom, to which the Chives are fixed.

3. The Seed-bud, Shaft and Summit, magnified.

This species of Hypoxis is from the Cape of Good Hope; and, we believe, solely in the possession of G. Hibbert, Esq. Clapham; from whose collection our drawing was made, in June, this year, 1801. It appears to be a hardy green-house plant; but, is certainly more curious than handsome, and, from its general character, we should judge the propagation would be from the root.

Professor Jacquin has given the Hypoxis Obliqua in his Icones Plantarum Rariorum, 2. t. 371; and in his Supplement to the Collectanea, 54; but, we must suppose from a more vigorous specimen than ours; as, the appearance of a woolly character, at the margin of the leaves, was not to be traced in our plant, although every other part is exact. Wherefore, we have retained his name, though we have rejected the latter part of his specific character, to introduce one, which we consider, of more consequence, as opposed to those with bulbous roots, this being fibrous.

PLATE CXCVI.

IXIA MACULATA.

_Spotted-flowered Ixia._

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, spreading.

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

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ixia foliis ensiformibus, glabris, scapo duplo brevioribus; floribus alternis, sub-spicatis; petalis basi obscuris, ovatis, concavis; stigmatibus bifidis.

Ixia with sword-shaped, smooth leaves, half the length of the flower-stem; flowers alternate, rather spiked; petals dark at the base, egg-shaped and concave; summits two-cleft.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two valves of the Empalement.

2. A Flower cut and spread open, with the Chives in their natural station.

3. The Pointal complete, with one of the Summits detached and magnified.