Chapter III: Part 3

This Ixia has been long cultivated in Britain, so says Millar, &c. but, till within these few years, we have not seen it in our gardens; perhaps it has been (like many others) lost to us, and recently introduced with the multitude of other species, which now decorate our green-houses; either from the Cape of Good Hope or Holland. It is one of the most desirable of the genus, from the length of time it continues in flower; which is, at least a month, from the first flowers beginning to expand. It increases by the bulb, and is to be cultivated as other common Ixias. Flowers in May or June.

PLATE CXCVII.

NYMPHÆA CŒRULEA.

_Blue Water-Lily._

CLASS XIII. ORDER I.

_POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Many Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium inferum, tetraphyllum, magnum, supra coloratum, persistens.

COROLLA. Petala numerosa (quindecem sæpe,) germinis lateri insidentia, serie plus quam simplici.

STAMINA. Filamenta numerosa (septuaginta sæpe,) plana, curva, obtusa, brevia. Antheræ oblongæ, filamentorum margini adnatæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen ovatum, magnum. Stylus nullus. Stigma orbiculatum, planum, peltato-sessile, radiis notatum, margine crenatum, persistens.

PERICARPIUM. Bacca dura, ovata, carnosa, rudis, collo angustata apice coronata, multilocularis (decem ad quindecem loculis,) pulpa plena.

SEMINA plurima, subrotunda.

EMPALEMENT. Cup beneath, four leaved, large, coloured above, permanent.

BLOSSOM. Petals numerous (often fifteen,) placed on the side of the seed-bud, in more than one row.

CHIVES. Threads numerous (often seventy,) flat, curved, blunt, short. Tips oblong, fixed to the margin of the threads.

POINTAL. Seed-bud egg-shaped, large. Shaft, none. Summit round, flat, central, sitting, marked in rays, scolloped at the edge, remaining.

SEED-VESSEL. Berry hard, egg-shaped, fleshy, rough, narrowed at the neck, crowned at the top, many-celled (from ten to fifteen cells,) full of pulp.

SEEDS many, roundish.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Nymphæa foliis cordato-orbiculatis, senioribus crenatis, lobis acutis imbricatis, acuminatis; petalis acutis, lanceolatis, cæruleis.

Nymphæa with between heart-shaped and round leaves, the old ones scolloped, lobes sharp, tiled, and tapered; petals sharp, lance-shaped, and blue.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Chive.

2. The Seed-bud and Summit.

3. The Seed-bud, cut transversely, to shew the number of cells.

Amongst aquatic or water plants, the Nymphæas are undoubtedly the most desirable in cultivation; although, we should agree to the exclusion of N. Nelumbo, &c. now forming a distinct genus in the Sp. Plant. of Willdenow; taken from Usteri’s Ed. of Jussieu’s Gen. Plant. classed from the natural characters, under the title of Nelumbium’s. This plant may be kept in the green-house, or hot-house, in a large tub filled with water and a small portion of mud at the bottom. It propagates by the root, and the flowers, which are extremely fragrant, are produced in August, in which month, this year, our drawing was made, from a large plant in the Hibbertian collection; but, from an omission in the figure, we were obliged to finish the plate from a plant, in the collection of J. Vere, Esq. Kensington Gore, still in flower, the beginning of October. The leaves of this species are most beautifully scolloped, and near a foot in diameter; but the indentitions are scarcely to be perceived in the younger; one of which, as we could not introduce the larger, is shewn on the plate of the natural size.

It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and was introduced to the Royal Gardens, Kew, by Mr. F. Masson, about the year 1792.

PLATE CXCVIII.

BAUERA RUBIOIDES.

_Three-leaved Bauera._

CLASS XIII. ORDER II.

_POLYANDRIA DIGYNIA._ Many Chives. Two Pointals.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium octophyllum, foliolis persistentibus, acuminatis, reflexis, dentatis.

COROLLA. Petala octo, ovata, concava, patentia, æqualia, calyce majora.

STAMINA. Filamenta numerosa, capillaria, corolla breviora, receptaculo inserta. Antheræ latiusculæ, obtusæ, erectæ.

PISTILLA. Germen subovatum, villosum. Styli duo, filiformes, longi, apice curvati. Stigmata simplicia.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula subrotunda, pilosa, apice dehiscens, bilocularis, bivalvis.

SEMINA plurima, subrotunda.

EMPALEMENT. Cup eight-leaved, remaining, leaflets tapered, reflexed, and toothed.

BLOSSOM. Eight petals, egg-shaped, concave, spreading, equal, larger than the cup.

CHIVES. Threads numerous, hair-like, shorter than the blossom, fixed into the receptacle. Tips broadish, obtuse and erect.

POINTALS. Seed-bud nearly egg-shaped, hairy. Shafts two, thread-shaped, long, curved at the ends. Summits simple.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule roundish, hairy, splitting at the top, two cells, two valves.

SEEDS many, roundish.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Bauera foliis ternatis, apice dentatis, sessilibus, oppositis.

Bauera with leaves composed of three leaflets, toothed at the point, growing close to the stem, and opposite.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, with the Chives and Pointal.

2. The Chives and Pointal magnified.

3. The Empalement, Seed-bud, Shafts, and Summits, magnified.

4. The Seed-bud cut transversely, with the seeds in the cells, magnified.

This handsome shrub, a native of Port Jackson, New Holland, was first raised at the seat of the Hon. the Marchioness of Rockingham, Hillingdon, Middlesex, in the year 1793; and, from a plant, in the conservatory, still in flower, this present month November, our drawing was made, at the Nursery, Hammersmith. It is hardy, although delicate in structure, and flourishes in the green-house. The stem of the plant from which our figure was taken, although the oldest in the kingdom, and near six feet high, is scarce the thickness of a quill at the base, therefore must be supported. The young shoots and leaves are covered with a slight pile; the smaller branches stand out at right angles, proceeding from the insertion of the leaves, and the whole plant has, at first sight, much the appearance of a Rubus. It is propagated by cuttings, made in the month of March, and put under a small bell-glass on the heat of a hot-bed; the cuttings should be from the extreme ends of the young shoots. Sir J. Banks, Bart. P. R. S. &c. from whose natural genius and love for the science, and by whose fostering and liberal hand to promote it, the study of Botany has become so general a taste; has named this genus, in honour of two most eminent Botanical painters, of the name of Bauer, natives of Germany, and brothers. The one, now under the immediate patronage of Sir Joseph, as Botanical Painter to his Majesty at Kew; well known for his superb and excellent coloured engravings of Heaths, &c. in large folio. The younger considered no less able, engaged under the same influence, with the other artists, &c. who are now upon the last expedition for discovery to the South Sea; but not equally known to Botanists, as the person who accompanied the late Dr. Sibthorpe, on his voyages through Greece; and whose pencil has produced all those drawings, designed to decorate and illustrate the famous Flora Græca, preparing for the public, under the auspices of the intelligent Dr. Smith, P. L. S. &c. &c.

PLATE CXCIX.

CAMELLIA JAPONICA. _Var. flo. rubro pleno._

_Double red Camellia._

CLASS XVI. ORDER VI. _of Schreber’s 6th edit. of Gen. Plant._

_MONADELPHIA POLYANDRIA._ Threads united. Many Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX imbricatus, polyphyllus; foliolis interioribus majoribus.

EMPALEMENT tiled, many-leaved; the inner leaflets the largest.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER OF VARIETY.

Camellia foliis senioribus basi attenuatis, junioribus rubentibus; petalis interioribus divaricato-erectis; floribus plenis, rubris.

Camellia with the older leaves tapered at the base, the younger ones reddish; the inner petals stand upright spreading different ways; flowers double and red.

Again have we to call upon the indulgence of our Botanical friends for their sufferance, in a third intrusion on the forms of our own prescription. But, as we had given the two other varieties of this fine plant; and taking it for granted, by judging from our own feelings, that a figure of this very scarce variety would be agreeable to most; that they might be (by comparison) able to decide upon the difference which does exist, but has been denied by many, between this, and the Striped Var.; see our figure, Vol. II. Pl. XCI. It has been thought by most, who have not seen this plant; that it was but the Striped Var. which had lost its variegation. This is certainly not the case; for, it stands as distinct from the Striped, as from the White variety; which may be readily traced, either from the plants themselves, or our figures; by comparing the specific, or rather differing character we have assigned to each. The Double red Camellia was introduced about the year 1794 from China, by R. Preston, Esq. Woodford, Essex.

The largest plant now in Europe, of this variety, is in the select and most valuable collection of the Hon. T. Greville, Esq. Paddington, imported, last year, from China in the highest perfection. It is propagated by cuttings, or layers; and delights in a light, sandy loam; with about one-third of the pot, from the bottom, filled with peat earth. It flowers from November, till February, in the Hothouse; or from January, till April, if kept in the Green-house. Our figure was taken, in November, this year, at the Hammersmith Nursery.

PLATE CC.

MELALEUCA HYPERICIFOLIA.

_St. John’s-wort-leaved Melaleuca._

CLASS XVIII. ORDER IV.

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

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX quinquefidus, semisuperus. Petals quinque. Filamenta multa, longissima, connata in quinque corpora. Pistillum unum. Capsula trilocularis.

CUP five-cleft, half above. Petals five. Threads numerous, very long, united into five bodies. Pointal one. Capsule three-celled.

See MELALEUCA ERICÆFOLIA, Pl. CLXXV. Vol. III.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Melaleuca foliis oppositis, eliptico-oblongis, uninerviis; floribus consertis; filamentis longissimis, linearibus, apice radiato-multifidis.

Melaleuca with opposite leaves, eliptic-oblong, one-nerved; flowers clustered; threads very long, linear, rayed and many-cleft at the top.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A flower, natural size.

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

3. The cup, seed-bud, shaft and summit, natural size, the summit detached and magnified.

About the year 1792 this plant was first raised from seeds, by the late Mr. William Malcolm, Nurseryman, at Stockwell, Surry; and was, from the very great resemblance it bears to the St. John’s-worts, so denominated, until it flowered. It has now become one of the commonest, of what are generally termed, Botany Bay plants; yet unquestionably ranks with the handsomest whether for its foliage, form of growth, or flowers, which are of a most beautiful red-purple, scarcely to be imitated in painting. The singular manner in which the flower-stem is thrown out, as it were, from the old wood, in a horizontal direction, is common to many other species of the Genus. It grows to the height of four or five feet, very erect in every part; is easily increased by cuttings, and thrives best in peat earth. Although it is said to grow in swampy grounds in New South Wales, see Linnæan Transactions, Vol. III. p. 279, nevertheless, with us, a dry, or damp situation in the green-house, appears equally congenial to it. In the month of September 1799, our drawing was taken at the Conservatory of R. James, Esq. Grosvenor Place.

PLATE CCI.

AIZOON CANARIENSE.

_Purslane-leaved Aizoon._

CLASS XII. ORDER IV.

_ICOSANDRIA PENTAGYNIA._ Twenty Chives. Five Pointals.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, quinquepartitum; laciniis lanceolatis, persistentibus.

COROLLA nulla.

STAMINA. Filamenta plurima, capillaria, sinui calycis per phalanges in serta. Antheræ simplices.

PISTILLA. Germen pentagonum, superum. Stili quinque, simplices. Stigmata simplicia.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula ventricosa, retusa, pentagona, quinquelocularis, quinque valvis.

SEMINA plura, subrotunda.

EMPALEMENT. Cup one leaf, five-parted; segments lance-shaped, remaining.

BLOSSOM none.

CHIVES. Threads numerous, hair-like, inserted into the hollow part of the cup in bunches. Tips simple.

POINTALS. Seed-bud five-sided, above. Shafts five, simple. Summits simple.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule bellied, dented, five-sided, five-celled, five-valved.

SEEDS many, roundish.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Aizoon foliis cuneiformi-ovatis; floribus solitariis, subsessilibus, axillaribus.

Aizoon with leaves between wedge and egg-shaped; flowers solitary, growing almost close to the stem from the insertion of the leaves.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement shewn from the inside.

2. The same shewn from the outside.

3. A Chive magnified.

4. The Pointals natural size.

5. The same, magnified.

This plant is herbaceous, and is found near the sea coast, in most parts of the world, within the tropics. It has a character common to many Genera of the natural order of succulents, such as Mesembryanthemum, Crassula, &c. that of an indeterminate number of pointals; which, in this genus, extend from three, to five, on different plants; this circumstance not having been sufficiently attended to has unfortunately occasioned some confusion. Brown in his Natural History of Jamaica has described it as growing on that Island, and with five pointals, therefore placed it to its right genus. Plumier, Sloane, &c. treated it as Portulaca, to which, as the genus now stands, it in no way affines. Læfling in his Iter Hispanicum, published in 1758, having found the plant in Spain with three pointals, immediately placed it to another genus, Halimum; upon whose authority, corroborated by Jacquin, (who acknowledges a variation in the number of pointals, on different plants, found in the different Caribee Islands,) Linnæus took up the plant, said to have but three pointals, under the title Sesuvium. As to the plant said to be cultivated by Miller in the Hort. Kew: under the last named genus, we have no difficulty in referring that, to the Aizoon canariense of the same work; as the time of flowering not being noticed, the distinction of character could not be observed, and the genus introduced, taken upon the _gratis dictum_ of Miller. Burmann, in his Ed: of Rumphius’s plants of Amboyna, has it as Halimus; and Plukenet as Portulaca from East Indian specimens; with numbers of other Botanists from different parts; as Ægypt, the Canary Islands, &c. &c. under different names.

Seeds received from Spain of our plant were sown by Mr. Anderson in 1798, at the gardens of J. Vere, Esq. Kensington Gore; since which time, it has annually died to the ground, about November, and re-appeared in Spring; from this circumstance, the great delicacy of the plant, and having been treated as an annual, it has been repeatedly lost to this country; though so constantly introduced, in almost every parcel of seeds which arrives from either the East or West Indies. It may be increased by cuttings made early in the year, and put in a hot-bed to accelerate their growth, and should be planted in rich loamy earth. It flowers from July till September. To preserve it more than one year, it must be kept in the hot-house.

PLATE CCII.

SAMYDA SERRULATA.

_Sawed-leaved Samyda._

CLASS X. ORDER I.

_DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Ten Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, interne coloratum; tubus campanulatus, decemstriatus; limbus quinquefidus, laciniis ovatis planis, patentissimis, obtusis, duabus acumine auctis.

COROLLA nulla.

_Nectarium_ monophyllum, conicum, truncatum, decemstriatum, longitudine fere calycis, ejusque limbo ad bann insertum, ore obtuse 10 ad 18-dentato.

STAMINA. Filamenta nulla. Antheræ decem ad octo-decem, oblongæ, erectæ, parvæ, dentibus nectarii insidentes.

PISTILLUM. Germen ovatum. Stylus subulatus, erectus, longitudine nectarii. Stigma capitatum, obtusum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula subrotunda, quadrisulcata, coriacea, crassa, unilocularis, quadrivalvis.

SEMINA plurima, subovata, obtusa, basi foraminulo notata, valvulis affixa, obvoluta pellicula pulposa.

EMPALEMENT. Cup one leaf, coloured within; tube bell-shaped, ten-striped; border five-cleft, segments egg-shaped, smooth, very much spread, obtuse, two lengthened by a pointed end.

BLOSSOM none.

_Honey-cup_, one leaf, conical, appearing cut off, ten-striped, nearly the length of the cup and fixed to it at the base of the border, obtusely from 10 to 18-toothed at the mouth.

CHIVES. Threads none. Tips from 10 to 18, oblong, upright, small, fixed to the teeth of honey-cup.

POINTAL. Seed-bud egg-shaped. Shaft awl-shaped, upright, the length of the honey-cup. Summit headed, blunt.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule roundish, four-furrowed, leathery, thick, one-celled, four valves.

SEEDS many, nearly egg-shaped, blunt, marked with a small hole at the base, fixed to the valves, surrounded with a slight pulpy skin.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Samyda floribus roseis, dodecandris; foliis ovato-oblongis, serrulatis.

Samyda with rosy coloured flowers having twelve chives; leaves between egg-shaped and oblong, slightly sawed.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, with its honey-cup, and the tips, cut and spread open.

2. The Pointal and seed-bud natural size, the summit detached and magnified.

3. The Seed-bud cut transversely and magnified, to shew the number of valves and situation of the seeds.

The Sawed-leaved Samyda is an inhabitant of most of the West India Islands, but was received in England, about the year 1795, from the Island of St. Vincent; transmitted from thence, by Mr. Anderson, curator of the Botanic garden, originally established there, under the sanction of our government, by Dr. Young. It is a very tender plant, grows to about three feet in height, making but few small branches, and rather weak in the stem. Our drawing was taken in July this year at the garden of T. Evans, Esq. Stepney, who we believe first had it to flower in this kingdom. It is propagated by cuttings; must be kept in the bark-bed of the hot-house, and should be planted in very rich mould.

PLATE CCIII.

IXIA COLUMNARIS.

_Columnar-chived Ixia._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA 6-petala, patens, æqualis.

STIGMATA tria, erectiusculo-patula.

BLOSSOM 6 petals, spreading, equal.

SUMMITS three, upright-spreading.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ixia filamentis basi cohærentibus, floribus capitatis; corollis purpureis.

Ixia with threads united at the base; flowers grow in heads; blossoms purple.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two Valves of the empalement.

2. A Blossom cut open.

3. The Chives and Pointal, with the tube of the blossom, the border cut off.

4. The Chives cut and spread open, with the tube of the blossom, magnified.

5. The Pointal and Seed-bud, with one of the Summits detached and magnified.

Here we have a plant which presents one of those obstacles, constantly met, in all attempts to a systematic arrangement of the productions of nature. Every feature of Ixia we find positively expressed, but in the unison of the Threads; a circumstance, which Linnæus in his system, always deemed of such singular moment, that a number of Genera have been formed, from this natural order of plants, hinging on this only character.

But, as this plant has been named, and accurately described by Mr. Salisbury, in the Prodromus to his garden 36. n. 18; and continued, from him, by Professor Martyn, in his Edit. of Miller’s Dict. article Ixia, 50; in the following therefore such superiour judgments to our own, we have thought it proper, not to make any alteration; and in consequence, have retained his Generic and Specific title. The extreme brilliance of the flowers of Ixia Columnaris, pervading all the varieties, (of which we have drawings of 6,) is not exceeded by any in the whole Genus; they generally, are not longer expanded than for about four hours, and that only under a hot sun; from about eight, till twelve o’clock; when they close for the day; but nevertheless they have a permanence not usual in Ixias, as the same blossoms will open diurnally for above a week. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and came first to England, by the way of Holland, about the year 1794. It flowers in June and July, amongst the latest of the tribe, and increases by the root in abundance. Our figure was taken at the Hammersmith Nursery.

PLATE CCIV.

GERANIUM LACINIATUM. _Var. flore purpureo._

_Ragged-leaved Geranium._ _Purple flowered Variety._

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.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

GERANIUM foliis radicalibus, integris laciniatisque, petiolis filiformibus; calycibus monophillis; staminibus quinque fertilibus; radice tuberosa; floribus purpureis.

GERANIUM with leaves growing from the root, entire and jagged, footstalks thread-shaped; cups one-leaved; five fertile chives; root tuberous; flowers purple.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement magnified.

2. The Chives spread open.

3. The Pointal and seed-bud magnified.

This very handsome variety, (for we cannot consider it as a species,) of the Geranium laciniatum, was imported in 1800, from the Cape of Good Hope, by G. Hibbert Esq.; in whose collection it flowered, last year, in the month of June, when our drawing was taken; and we believe it is in no other at present in this kingdom. Mr. Allen, under whose care that collection is preserved in such high order and perfection, and to whose kind communications, we are much indebted; informs us, that he has not, as yet, been able to increase it; but, from every appearance, the plant, he has no doubt, may, by the root, as are the other species which have the tuberous character; and that he did not treat it differently from the rest of the Geraniums which compose this branch of that interesting family.

PLATE CCV.

PLATYLOBIUM LANCEOLATUM.

_Lance-shaped-leaved Flat-pea._

CLASS XVII. ORDER IV.

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

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX campanulatus, quinquesidus; laciniis duabus supremis maximis, obtusis. Stamina omnia coalita. Legumen pedicellatum, compressum, dorso alatum; polyspermum.

CUP bell-shaped, five-cleft; the two upper segments very large and obtuse. Chives all united. Pod on a footstalk, compressed, winged along the back; many seeded.

See Plate CXCI. Vol. III. PLATYLOBIUM SCOLOPENDRUM.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Platylobium foliis glaberrimis, distichis, lineari-lanceolatis; floribus solitariis, axillaribus; ramis junioribus sub-compressis.

Flat-Pea with very smooth leaves pointing opposite ways, linear-lance shaped; flowers grow solitary from the lower part of the leaves close to the branches; the younger branches are rather flatish.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement of the flower.

2. The Standard, or upper petal of the blossom.

3. One of the Wings, or side petals of the blossom.

4. The two lower Petals, or keel of the blossom.

5. The Chives, natural size.

6. The same, magnified.

7. The Seed-bud, natural size.

8. The same magnified, but rather more mature.

No Class, amongst the 24, is more distinct in its natural character than Diadelphia; yet, since the discovery of New South Wales, no one has presented more difficulty to the botanist. From the great number of plants of that country, appertaining to this Class, and the strong differing characters which most of them exhibit, such indeed, as might formerly have been thought of sufficient moment to constitute new Genera; many must now bend a little for the ease of science; or otherwise they will in a short time become doubled in number; a matter of no small moment to weak although willing memories. Our having placed the P. scolopendrum of this Volume, Pl. CXCI., and our present plant to the Genus Platylobium, is the occasion of the above prelude; as it may be thought by some who have not seen the seed vessel and seeds, the principal parts upon which the Genus is founded, that nature is a little outraged in so doing; but, without we had so joined them, we must have given them a new title. This plant was introduced at the same time as the P. scolopendrum, and the three other species now in Britain; not one of them, but has baffled all our most experienced cultivators to increase it, by any other mode than from the seed; some of which has been procured from the P. formosum, only. They all require to be kept in the dryest part of the green-house, as they are impatient of damp. Our drawing was made in November 1801, at the Nursery of Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, by whom it was first raised in 1792. The general height of the Platylobiums, is about three feet and a half, at most, in this country, and they do not form bushy shrubs. They require a light, sandy peat soil, with rather less root room, than is in general necessary for plants of equal size.

PLATE CCVI.

DRACÆNA BOREALIS.

_Oval leaved Dracæna._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointals.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX nullus.

COROLLA. Petala sex, oblonga, erectiuscula, æqualia, unguibus cohærentia.

STAMINA. Filamenta sex, unguibus inserta, subulata, medio crassiora, basi membranacea, longitudine vix corollæ. Antheræ oblongæ, incumbentes.

PISTILLUM. Germen ovatum, sexstriatum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine staminium. Stigma trifidum, obtusum.

PERICARPIUM. Bacca ovata, sexsulcata, trilocularis.

SEMINA solitaria, ovato-oblonga, apice incurvata.

OBS. Character fere Asparagi, habitus diversus.

EMPALEMENT none.

BLOSSOM. Petals six, oblong, rather upright, equal, cohering by the claws.

CHIVES. Threads six, inserted into the claws, awl-shaped, thicker about the middle, skinny at the base, almost the length of the blossom. Tips oblong, incumbent.

POINTAL. Seed-bud egg-shaped, six-streaked. Shaft thread shaped, the length of the chives. Summit three-cleft, obtuse.

SEED-VESSEL. Berry egg-shaped, six-furrowed, three-celled.

SEEDS solitary, oblong-egg-shaped, turned inward at the end.

OBS. The Character is very near Asparagus, the habit different.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Dracæna, herbacea, subcaulescens, foliis elipticis.

Dracæna, herbaceous, rather aspiring to a stem, leaves eliptic.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Petal with its chive.

2. A Chive, magnified.

3. The Pointal, magnified.

4. A ripe Berry.

5. The same, cut transversely.

About the year 1776, this plant was first received in England, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy from Montreal, Canada, N. America. It is a native of all the northern parts of that country, as far as New England; propagates itself by the root, and flowers in July. It will not thrive but on a shady border, which should be made of light sandy peat.

Much we revere the name of Solander, and highly rate his merit as a Botanist; yet we cannot forbear stating our dissent from the arrangement of this plant, as a Dracæna, certainly nothing can be more dissimilar, in every part; this may be easily traced by comparing our figure and dissections, as connected with the Generic character. The whole natural habit of the plant, points out Convallaria for its genus, to which it is much nearer allied than Dracæna, even in the sexual characters. However, we only state our opinions, without even thinking of change, as the plant is known as Dracæna, having been figured and described in the First Vol. of the Kew Catalogue, page 454, under the present title.

PLATE CCVII.

MIMOSA LONGIFOLIA.

_Long-leaved Mimosa._

CLASS XXIII. ORDER I.

_POLYGAMIA MONOECIA._ Various dispositions. Upon one Plant.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

Hermaphrod. CALYX 5-dentatus. Cor. 5-fida. Stam. 5 seu plura. Pist. 1. Legumen.

Mascul. CALYX 5-dentatus. Cor. 5-fida. Stam. 5, 10, plura.

Hermaph. CUP five-toothed. Bloss. 5-cleft. Chives 5 or more. Pointal one. A pod.

Male. CUP 5-toothed. Bloss. 5-cleft. Chives 5, 10, or more.

See MIMOSA STRICTA. Pl. LIII. VOL. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Mimosa foliis integris longissimis, utrinque glabris, obtusis; capituli geminati, racemosi, longissimi, oppositi, lutei, subcernui.

Mimosa with entire, very long leaves, smooth on both sides and blunt; flower heads grow by pairs in very long bunches opposite to each other, yellow and rather nodding.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A flower, magnified, shewn sideways.

2. The Empalement, magnified.

3. The Blossom, magnified.

4. A Chive, magnified.

5. The Pointal, magnified.

About the year 1792 J. Ord, Esq. of Pursers Cross, Fulham, received the seeds of this Mimosa from New South Wales; the plants were raised, the ensuing year, by Mr. White, who has managed, much to his credit, the select collection of that Gentleman near 20 years, and who obligingly sent us a fine specimen in March 1801, taken from a plant near 18 feet in height. Of the Mimosas now in Britain, we think, this species is likely to exceed them all in height; making a very handsome plant; and most beautiful at the season when covered with its long pendulous bunches of flowers. It is increased by cuttings, but with difficulty; and, as yet, seeds have not been perfected in this country. A light sandy earth is what it thrives in most, but it will grow in almost any soil.

PLATE CCVIII.

LASIOPETALUM FERRUGINEUM.

_Rusty Woolly-blossom._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium triphyllum, foliolis subulatis, tomentosis, persistentibus, ferruginosis.

COROLLA monopetala, rotata, lanuginosa, quinquefida; laciniis ovatis, apicibus acutis, incurvatis.

STAMINA. Filamenta quinque, brevia, erecta, germinis basi affixa. Antheræ erectæ, dorso bilobæ, apice poris duobus.

PISTILLUM. Germen ovatum, superum. Stylus minutus, filiformis, erectus. Stigma obsoletum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula subrotunda, supera, trisulcata, trilocularis, trivalvis, dissepimentis e medio valvularum.

SEMINA numerosa, subrotunda.

EMPALEMENT. Cup three-leaved, leaflets awl-shaped, downy, permanent, and of a rusty iron colour.

BLOSSOM, one petal, wheel-shaped, woolly, and five-cleft; segments egg-shaped, sharp pointed and incurved at the point.

CHIVES. Threads five, short, upright, fixed to the base of the seed-bud. Tips upright, two-lobed at the back, and two pores at the point.

POINTAL. Seed-bud egg-shaped, above. Shaft small, thread-shaped, upright. Summit obsolete.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule roundish, above, three-furrowed, three cells, three valves, partitions from the middle of the valves.

SEEDS numerous, roundish.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Lasiopetalum foliis sublinearibus, obtusis, inequaliter sinuatis, supra glabris subtus lanuginosis; floribus racemosis, axillaribus.

Woolly blossom with nearly linear leaves, blunt, unequally indented, smooth above, woolly beneath; flowers grow in long bunches from the insertion of the leaves into the stem.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement.

2. The Blossom.

3. The Chives and Pointal.

4. A Chive, magnified.

5. The Pointal.

6. The same magnified.

The singularity of this plant recommends it to our notice, rather than its beauty. It is a native of New South Wales, near Port Jackson, and is found in marshy grounds; where its branches are seen to extend many yards, embracing all the under shrubs they meet; they seldom exceed the size of small twine, but are exceeding tough. The whole plant, when old, has a dirty or rusty brown appearance, the leaves becoming very small and narrow; although from culture in this country, we have seen the leaves, on some plants, near an inch in breadth, and three in length. For the Generic and Specific titles of this plant we are indebted to Dr. Smith, P. L. S. &c. and we do not think more appropriate ones could have been invented. The giving specific names and characters to plants, where only one has been discovered of the Genus, although a little from Linnæan principles, we must confess accords with our ideas; for, although, to compare is necessary to distinctive difference; yet, if the most ostensible, and novel appearance of the parts, are taken from the first discovered plant, for the specific character; there is no more danger of confusion, from any addition to the Genus, than if no such observations had been made; for, what must in future be taken as specific distinction must arise from an opposition to the first plant on which the Genus was founded: wherefore we have adopted this manner, from the commencement of the work. This plant was first raised at the Hammersmith Nursery, from seeds received from New South Wales in 1791. It is propagated by cuttings taken from the young shoots, in April; should be planted in very sandy peat earth, and kept very dry in winter. It is in flower nearly the whole year.

PLATE CCIX.

GERANIUM MELANANTHUM.

_Black-flowered 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.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Geranium foliis lobatis integrisque, hispidis, obtusis; calycibus monophyllis, laciniis linearibus; floribus nigricantibus, dioicis; radice tuberosa.

Geranium with lobed, and entire leaves, hairy and obtuse; cups one leaved, segments linear; flowers blackish, with the chives and pointals distinct; root tuberous.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, natural size, the tube cut open.

2. The Chives of a male blossom, natural size.

3. The same, cut open and magnified.

4. The abortive Pointal of a male blossom, natural size.

5. The same, magnified.

6. The abortive Chives of a female blossom, natural size.

7. The same, magnified.

8. The Pointal of a female blossom, magnified.

This species of Geranium has been given by Professor Jacquin in his Icon: rar. 514, and his Collectanea 4. 188; from him, we find it collated by Professor Martyn into his Edit. of Miller’s Dict. under the article Pelargonium, 59. But, as no notice has been taken by Jacquin of so remarkable a circumstance as this species being Dioecious, or with male and female flowers on different plants; we may be led to suppose, that it has not flowered in Germany; or that the specimens he had seen, were from male plants, as he numbers the fertile chives as five, which could not have been discovered from a female specimen. Of five plants we had the good fortune to examine, which were all in flower at the same time, the roots of which had been imported from the Cape of Good Hope in the year 1793; three were male, with five fertile tips, the pointals obsolete; and two female, without the least trace of a tip, in either blossom, or bud. As the tips frequently fall upon the expansion of the flower, in many species, the bud is the only sure situs whence to determine this character. It is increased from seed, procured from female plants only, which are much more unfrequent than the male; likewise from the roots, which, (like to those of most of the species forming this link of the Genus,) are tuberous; forming small bulbs of unequal sizes, connected to the main root by slight radicles, and at a little distance from it: which, indeed, is the reason we have not adopted the term rapaceous, or turnip rooted, although it is a character which has been applied to them by very able Botanists, yet we think unadvisedly, or from their not having had the opportunity of examining them closely; as, we presume, this term cannot with propriety be given to any root which is composed of more than one body, as are the Turnip, Carrot, Parsnip, Radish, &c. where it applies. It must be planted in light peat earth, and kept in the dryest part of the green-house, where it will flower about the month of July. Our figure was taken at Clapham in June, this year, from a male plant in the Hibbertian Collection.

PLATE CCX.

ANTHOLYZA ÆTHIOPICA.

_Broad-leaved 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 foliis floribusque distichis; lacinia summa corolla recla, spathulata, basi ferrata; spathis rigidis, adpressis.

Antholyza with the leaves as well as the flowers pointing opposite ways; the upper segment of the blossom straight, spithula-shaped, and sawed at the base; sheaths harsh and pressed to the blossoms.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The whole plant, upon a diminished scale.

2. The Empalement.

3. A Blossom cut open, with the chives remaining.

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

This very handsome Antholyza, which is seen so seldom to flower, in this kingdom, has been long an inhabitant of our gardens. So long ago as 1759, it is said to have been cultivated by Miller; and from the firm and hardy character of the root, we should question its having been since that period, ever, like many others of this natural order, left to us. The unfrequency of its flowering has, perhaps, occasioned the inattention, which is in general shewn to its cultivation, though most collectors possess the bulbs, few have seen their flowers. Our figure was taken in the month of July, this year, from a plant in the collection of T. Evans, Esq. Stepney. It is increased from the roots, which should be removed from the pots in July, and replanted the end of October. We have not been able to procure any certain data on which to give directions to insure its flowering; but the plant in question was planted in a very large pot, the earth was a compound of light peat one part, stiff loam one part, and old rotten dung one part. It has been thought by some, that the Antholyza we have figured in the Botanist’s Repository, Plate XXXI. was the A. Æthiopica of Linnæus, &c; but, we have given it as a broad-leaved variety of the A. ringens of that author, as we have a drawing of the Narrow leaved Var: taken from a living plant, to which, as well as to our present figure, it much affines; and, we are led to think, natural order would not be much violated, if we had treated them all as varieties of one species.

PLATE CCXI.

IXIA COLUMNARIS. _Var. versicolor._

_Columnar-leaved Ixia._ _Changeable-coloured var._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

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

BLOSSOM 6-petals, spreading, equal. Summits three, upright-spreading.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ixia filamentis basi cohærentibus; floribus sub-capitatis; corollis versicoloribus.

Ixia with threads united at the base; flowers grow nearly in heads; blossoms changeable-coloured.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement.

2. A Blossom spread open.

3. The Seed-bud, with the Chives, as they stand upon the mouth of the blossom; the petals being cut off, and the summits as they appear through the tips, the whole magnified.

4. The Threads cut open, magnified.

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

This most beautiful variety, of the Columnar-chived Ixia, was introduced to us, from Holland, in the year 1799. It flowers about the beginning of June, and continues in blossom about three weeks. The beautiful manner in which the colours of the flowers, of this variety, are blended, and which appear to change, as regarded from different points of view, is beyond the painter’s skill; the best that can be done is but a faint imitation. The roots of this plant are rather more delicate than the other varieties of this species.

PLATE CCXII.

POGONIA DEBILIS.

_Slender-stemed Pogonia._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium pentaphyllum persistens; foliolis lanceolatis, erectis, acutis, apicibus reflexis.

COROLLA monopetala, infundibuliformis, tubus cylindricus, longitudine calycis, ore villis clauso; limbus semiquinquesidus, laciniis concavis, acutis.

STAMINA. Filamenta quinque, tubo supra medium inserta. Antheræ erectæ, sagittatæ, intra faucem.

PISTILLUM. Germen ovatum. Stylus filiformis, apice parum curvatus, longitudine tubi, persistens. Stigma concavum.

PERICARPIUM. Bacca ovata, compressa, calyci accreta.

SEMEN. Nux quadrilocularis, putamine durissimo; nuclei oblongi.

EMPALEMENT. Cup five-leaved, permanent; leaflets lance-shaped, upright, pointed, and reflexed at the ends.

BLOSSOM one petal, funnel-shaped, tube cylindrical, the length of the cup, the mouth closed with soft hairs; border half five-cleft; segments concave and pointed.

CHIVES. Threads five, inserted into the tube above the middle. Tips upright, arrow-shaped, within the mouth.

POINTAL. Seed-bud egg-shaped. Shaft thread-shaped, a little curved at the end, the length of the tube, remaining. Summit concave.

SEED-VESSEL. An egg-shaped, flattened berry, growing to the cup.

SEED. A four-celled nut, shell very hard; kernels oblong.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Pogonia foliis lanceolatis, apicibus sæpe serrulatis, distichis; floribus solitariis, axillaribus, cæruleis; cortice scabrosa.

Pogonia with lance-shaped leaves, often slightly sawed at the ends, and pointing opposite ways; flowers solitary, growing from the insertion of the leaves into the stem, and blue; bark rough.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement.

2. A Flower cut open, with the Chives as they stand in the blossom.

3. A Chive, magnified.

4. The Pointal.

5. Summit, with part of the Shaft, magnified.

6. The Cup, with the ripe berry, the shaft remaining, and the cup a little enlarged.

7. A Berry cut transversly, to shew the situation of the kernels in the cells.

The Pogonia here figured, is the only one of the genus we at present possess; it is a native of Port Jackson, New South Wales, and was first transmitted to England, by Col. Paterson, in the year 1793. It is a climbing plant, the branches acquiring a considerable length, the bark being covered with small tubercles, like glands, and the younger branches covered, their whole length, with blossoms. Although this is not to be reckoned amongst the handsomest of the productions of that country, yet, from the lively colour of the flowers, the profusion of them which the plant produces, and their continued succession, from April, till September, it must be considered as a valuable addition to the small number of scandent plants, as yet in our green-houses; more particularly at the present juncture, when, from fashion, a trellis has become a necessary appendage to them. It is propagated from the seeds, which ripen in this country; as well as from cuttings, which should be made in May, and kept in the heat of a cucumber-frame, or hot-house, till they are rooted. It is grown best in sandy peat. Our figure was taken at the Hammersmith Nursery, where it was first raised in this kingdom. The name, Pogonia, is derived from the appearance of the mouth of the flower which is bearded; Πωγωνιον, _Pogonion_, signifying a little beard.

PLATE CCXIII.

IXIA COLUMNARIS. _Var. latifolia._

_Columnar-chived Ixia._ _Broad-leaved var._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

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

BLOSSOM 6-petals, spreading, equal. Summits three, upright-spreading.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ixia filamentis basi cohærentibus; floribus sub-capitatis; corollis pallide cæruleis; foliis latioribus, falcatis.

Ixia with threads cohering at the base; flowers grow nearly in heads; blossoms pale-blue; leaves broader, scymitar-shaped.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement.

2. A Blossom cut open, with the chives remaining attached.

3. The Tube of a blossom, with the chives, the petals cut off.

4. The same, cut open and magnified.

5. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summits; the summits detached and magnified.

The variety here given, was introduced to England, with the changeable-flowered variety, in 1799, from Holland. It is the strongest marked variety of the six we possess; it flowers in May. The petals of this variety are remarkably thick at the insertion into the tube, and have a soft, beautiful brown on the outside, when the flower is closed, which still is never so fully so, but a small margin of the blue appears; which gives them a most beautiful appearance in that state. No particular regime is necessary to this plant, more than what is necessary to all the common species.

PLATE CCXIV.

WESTERINGIA ROSMARINACEA.

_Rosemary-like Westeringia._

CLASS II. ORDER I.

_DIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Two Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, sub-cylindricum, erectum, persistens, quinquedentatum, æquale; bracteis binis suffultum.

COROLLA monopetala; petalum tubulatum calyce paulo longius; limbus patens, quinquepartitus, sub æqualis; laciniis duabus superioribus emarginatis.

STAMINA. Filamenta quatuor, filiformia, fauci tubi inserta, quorum duo superiora longiora, fertilia; duo breviora sterilia. Antheræ loculis oblongis, duæ superiores dependentes; duæ inferiores erectæ, sagittatæ, squamiformes.

PISTILLUM. Germen tetragonum. Stylus filiformis, parum curvatus, longitudine tubi. Stigma bifidum, reflexum.

PERICARPIUM nullum. Calyx in fundo semina continens.

SEMINA quatuor, ovalia.

EMPALEMENT. Cup one-leaf, nearly cylindrical, upright, remaining, five-toothed, equal; supported by two leaflets.

BLOSSOM one petal; petal tubular, rather longer than the cup; border spreading, five-divided, nearly equal; the two upper segments notched at the end.

CHIVES. Four threads, thread-shaped, inserted into the mouth of the tube, of which the two upper ones are longer, and fertile; two shorter, and sterile. Tips with oblong cells, the two upper ones hang down; the two lower are upright, arrow-shaped, and like thin scales.

POINTAL. Seed-bud four-sided. Shaft thread-shaped, a little curved, the length of the tube. Summit two-cleft, reflexed.

SEED-VESSEL none. Cup containing the seeds at the bottom.

SEEDS four, oval.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Westeringia foliis verticillatis, sub-linearibus, acutis, subtus sericeis; floribus axillaribus, spicatis.

Westeringia with leaves growing in whorls, nearly linear, pointed and silky underneath; flowers grow from the base of the leaves close to the stem, in spikes.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, with the two props attached to the base.

2. A Flower spread open, with the chives in their place, magnified.

3. The Pointal, natural size.

4. The same magnified.

The present plant was introduced to our gardens, in the year 1791, from New South Wales, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith. It was first named Cunila verticillata, and, from what we can judge, it might, without much forcing of the characters of the genus, have been so continued; but our opinions shall always give way, when the decision is past from such superior talents as those of Dr. Smith; by whom it has been thought to possess a sufficiency of distinctive character, on which to form a new genus, under the title it here bears. It is a bushy shrub, grows to the height of three feet, the branches standing out almost horizontally, in whorls, and the whole plant bearing a great resemblance to the Rosemary. It is propagated by cuttings made in March from the end of the small branches; approves most of light sandy peat, and is in flower from March till November. The whole plant is scentless.

PLATE CCXV.

EMBOTHRIUM SALIGNUM.

_Willow-like Embothrium._

CLASS IV. ORDER I.

_TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Four Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX nullus. Cor. tetrapetala. Stamina limbo petalorum inserta. Folliculus polyspermus. Sem. alata.

EMPALEMENT none. Bloss. four-petalled. Chives inserted into the limb of the petals. One-celled-pod, many seeded. Seeds winged.

See EMBOTHRIUM SERICEUM, Pl. C. Vol. II.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Embothrium foliis lanceolatis, uninervis, utrinque glaberrimis; umbellulis axillaribus; corollis subalbidis.

Embothrium with lance-shaped leaves, one nerved, very smooth on both sides; the small umbels of flowers grow from the insertion of the leaves into the stem; blossoms whitish.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A flower complete, with the summit relieved from the petals, magnified.

2. The same with the summit yet restrained by the petals.

3. One petal with the tip, magnified.

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

This Genus, if we may judge from what we already possess, amounting to 6 species, promises to furnish an ample feast for Botanists; for we have no doubt, but the species are as numerous as of any one from New Holland. The Willow-like Embothrium makes a very handsome bushy green-house plant; the leaves are not subject to damp, and the stem acquires the height of 5 or 6 feet. It flowers about May, and from the manner in which the leaves rather fall downwards, from their insertion, leaving the bunches of flowers fully exposed, at their base, it has a very picturesque appearance, as the whole plant is sometimes covered with blossoms. It thrives best in sandy peat earth, and is increased by cuttings, made about March, or April, and placed in the heat of the Hot-house, or a cucumber frame. Our figure was taken at the Hammersmith Nursery; where, it was first raised from seeds, in the year 1791.

PLATE CCXVI.

EPIDENDRUM SINENSE.

_Chinese Epidendrum._

CLASS XX. ORDER I.

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

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

NECTARIUM turbinatum, obliquum, reflexum.

HONEY-CUP top-shaped, oblique and reflexed.

See Plate XIII. Vol. I. EPIDENDRUM COCHLEATUM.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Epidendrum foliis ensiformibus, nervosis, radicalibus; nectario revoluto, punctato; petalis striatis.

Epidendrum with sword-shaped leaves, nerved, and growing from the root; honey-cup rolled back, and dotted; petals striped.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A flower, one of the petals and the honey-cup cut off; to shew the situation, and place of the parts of fructification.

2. The Honey-cup.

3. The Seed-bud, Shaft, Summit, and Chives; the small hood which covers the Chives, lifted up.

This long genus of plants, so little known hitherto, but in our books, bids fair to become one of the greatest ornaments of our hot-houses; 20 species we already enumerate, in the different collections in the vicinity of London; one of which, the present plant, has not flowered in this kingdom, till this year, although introduced, so long ago as 1793, by the late J. Slater, Esq. of Layton-stone; at the same time with the two varieties of the Double Camellia, from China. Our figure was taken in September 1801, from a plant which had been placed in the spring of the same year, in the Conservatory built on purpose for the protection of Chinese plants, and where they flourish to a degree, not seen before in this country, in the garden of G. Hibbert Esq. Clapham common. It is propagated by offsets, from the root; is rather a hardy hot-house plant; and thrives most in a mixture of sandy loam, and peat; about one fourth of the loam, and three fourths peat, or leaf-mould.

Upon the first observation of this plant, we were inclined to think it the species designed by Thunberg in his Icon. Plant. Japon. 28, under the Genus Limodorum; and afterwards, altered by him, in the Linnæan Trans. Vol. ii. p. 327, to Epidendrum striatum. But upon close examination of it, as answering his descriptions, &c. we cannot but think it, if not a different species, at least a very strong variety of his plant; wherefore, we have retained the name it is in common known by, in the various collections in which we have seen it. If we were to decide on the subject, it should be to place both that and this plant again to Limodorum; to which, they hold greater affinity than to Epidendrum; but indeed, we have an opinion, that one title might readily serve for the plants constituting both genera.

_Vol. IV._ _of the_ Botanist’s Repository _Comprising,_ _Colour’d Engravings_ of _New and Rare Plants_ ONLY

With Botanical Descriptions &c. _in_ _Latin and English,_ _after the_ Linnæan System.

_by_ _H. Andrews_

_Botanical Painter Engraver &c._

PLATE CCVII.

PASSIFLORA MALIFORMIS.

_Apple-fruited Passion-Flower._

CLASS XX. ORDER IV.

_GYNANDRIA PENTANDRIA._ Chives on the Pointal. Five Chives.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium quinquepartitum, planum, coloratum, petalis conforme.

COROLLA. Petala quinque, semi-lanceolata, plana, obtusa, magnitudine et figura calycis.

_Nectarium_ corona triplex; exterior longior, intra petala stylum cingens, superne magis coarctata.

STAMINA. Filamenta quinque, subulata, ad basin germinis columnæ annexa, patentia. Antheræ incumbentes, oblongæ, obtusæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen subrotundum, apici columnæ cylindraceæ, rectæ insidens. Styli tres, superne crassiores, patuli. Stigmata capitata.

PERICARPIUM. Bacca carnosa, subovata, unilocularis, pedicellata.

SEMINA plurima, ovata, arillata.

_Receptaculum_ feminum triplex, cortici pericarpii longitudinaliter adnatum.

EMPALEMENT. Cup five-parted, flat, coloured, like the petals.

BLOSSOM. Petals five, half lance-shaped, flat, blunt, of the size and shape of the cup.

_Honey-cup_, a triple crown; the outer longer, encircling the shaft within the petals, more contracted above.

CHIVES. Five threads, awl-shaped, fixed to the base of the column of the seed-bud, spreading. Tips fixed by their backs, oblong, obtuse.

POINTAL. Seed-bud roundish, falling into the end of a cylindrical, upright column. Three shafts, thicker above, spreading. Summits headed.

SEED-VESSEL. A fleshy berry, nearly egg-shaped, one-celled, pedicelled.

SEEDS many, egg-shaped, covered by a seed-coat.

_Receptacle_ of the seeds triple, fixed longitudinally to the rind of the berry.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Passiflora foliis indivisis, cordato-oblongis, integerrimis; petiolis biglandulosis; involucro triphyllo, flore majore; fructu maliformi.

Passion-Flower with undivided leaves, heart-shape-oblong, quite entire; foot-stalks with two glands, fence three-leaved, larger than the flower; fruit like an apple.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A ripe fruit.

2. A Flower cut perpendicularly through the middle, to shew its interior structure, with the parts of fructification complete.

This species of Passion-Flower is said to be a sojourner with us since the year 1731, and to have been then cultivated by Miller. It is likewise said to be a native of Dominica, but it is found in all the West India islands. It rarely flowers in this climate; and we should not now have been able to gratify our friends with this figure, but for the particular ingenuity, in the treatment of hot house plants, by Mr. Anderson, superintendant of the rich collection of plants in the gardens of J. Vere, Esq. Kensington Gore, who by a long experience in cultivation, added to a particular love for the profession, has placed his knowledge in the treatment of exotics, in particular, much beyond most cultivators of the present day. Our figure was taken from a plant which continued in flower from July till November; it was planted in a border of rich earth, close to the tan-pit, and trailed along the front rafter of the house; the only method, we presume, by which it can be induced to flower, as we have never seen it elsewhere. It is propagated with ease by cuttings.

Much contention has arisen among Botanists, since the days of Linnæus, where to place this tribe of plants. Swartz placed it to Monadelphia, who is lately followed by Willdenow. Schreber, Thunberg, &c. have thrown it to Pentandria. But our antiquated notions of the capability of that great man, in classifying to his own system, those plants which came under his actual review, has occasioned our retaining it, under its old class, just as he left it.

PLATE CCXVIII.

EMBOTHRIUM BUXIFOLIUM.

_Box-leaved Embothrium._

CLASS IV. ORDER I.

_TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Four Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA tetrapetala. Stamina limbo inserta. Folliculus polyspermus. Semina alata.

BLOSSOM four-petals. Chives inserted into the limbs. One-celled pod, many seeded. Seeds winged.

See EMBOTHRIUM SERICEUM, Pl. C. Vol. II.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Embothrium foliis ellipticis, integerrimis, margine revolutis, pubescentibus; umbellis terminalibus; folliculo villoso.

Embothrium with elliptical, entire leaves, rolled back at the edge, and downy; umbels terminal; seed-pod hairy.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Flower, magnified, the petals yet attached to each other.

2. The same, the petals disengaged.

3. The Pointal, magnified.

4. A Seed-vessel, natural size.

5. A ripe Seed, natural size.

This we believe is amongst the most rare of the plants, hitherto introduced, from New Holland. It has been figured in the third Number of New Holland Botany, published by Dr. Smith in 1793: it is there said not to have been, at that time, in England; but, as it had not then flowered, the plant was not known, although in the collection of Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, three years precedent to that publication; and where, it first flowered in 1795. Our figure was taken in September 1789 from a plant (we fear the only one at present in this kingdom) in the Hibbertian collection. It has not yet been propagated with us, and the seeds do not mature. The plant is nearly four feet high, and forms a handsome, bushy shrub, continuing in flower nearly the whole summer. Over the whole plant there is a brown, or rusty-like appearance, which takes much from its beauty. It flourishes in peat earth.

PLATE CCXIX.

GLADIOLUS CUSPIDATUS. _Var. petalis crispis._

_Spear-spotted Gladiolus._ _Var. with crisped petals._

CLASS III. ORDER I.