Chapter IV: Part 4

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA sex-partita, ringens.

STAMINA adscendentia.

BLOSSOM six divisions, gaping.

CHIVES ascending.

See GLADIOLUS ROSEUS, Plate XI. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gladiolus foliis lineari-ensiformibus, glabris; corolla ringente; laciniis longissimis, acuminatis, crispatis, subæqualibus, tribus inferioribus in medio macula oblonga notalis; corollis albicantibus.

Gladiolus with linear-sword-shaped smooth leaves; blossom gaping, segments very long, tapered to the point, crisped and nearly equal, the three lower ones in the middle have an oblong spot; blossoms whitish.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two valves of the Empalement.

2. The Blossom cut open, with the chives.

3. The Seed-bud, Shaft and Summit, one division of the summit magnified.

Although this species of Gladiolus is as old in our gardens as, almost any, we have; yet, it is not much known, from the unfrequency of its flowering, of which there is no certainty. The best method to assist it with a vigorous growth, is to place it in a considerable degree of warmth, such as the heat of the hot-house, the pot being kept in a pan, with water. With this assistance, it may be made to flower, sometimes, about the end of May. It is a very hardy bulb, in what regards the root, and its preservation. Our figure was made in May, 1800, from a plant which had been treated in the above manner, at the Hammersmith nursery.

PLATE CCXX.

MASSONIA SCABRA.

_Rough-leaved Massonia._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA infera, limbo 6-partito. Filamenta collo tubi imposita. Capsula 3-alata, 3 locularis, polysperma.

BLOSSOM beneath, border 6-divided. Threads placed on the neck of the tube. Capsule 3-winged, 3 celled, many-seeded.

See MASSONIA VIOLACEA, Pl. 46. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Massonia foliis cordato-orbiculatis, supra scabrosis; laciniis corollæ reflexis.

Massonia with leaves between heart-shaped and round, rough on the upper side; the segments of the blossom reflexed.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A skinny sheath, one being attached to each flower, at the lower part of the foot-stalk.

2. A Flower complete.

3. The Blossom cut open, to shew the insertion of the chives into the mouth, just within the honey-cups.

4. The Seed bud, shaft and summit.

The rough-leaved Massonia is, as well as all the hitherto discovered species of the genus, a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and was introduced to Britain, in the year 1796, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy; at whose nursery, our figure was taken in the year 1800; where, it had then flowered for the first time, in this kingdom. It is a hardy greenhouse bulb; propagates from the root, and perfects its seeds; flowers in February and March, and loses its leaves in June. It stands quite distinct from M. latifolia, both in the character of the leaves and blossoms; though, at first sight, it has much the appearance of that species. A loamy soil lightened by a small mixture of sandy peat is that it most approves. The roots should not be taken from the pots after the decay of the leaves, but kept rather dry till the leaves begin to re-appear.

Much will it contribute to the illustration of science, to find our present figure, when copied into a certain magazine at some future period, (and of which we have no doubt,) specifically denominated, smooth-leaved; as unfortunately, the other species figured by us, Pl. 46. Vol. I. with obovate, blunt-ended, or spathula-shaped leaves, has been, by a certain hocus-pocus conjuror, and _our very good friend_, converted into sword shaped! _risum teneatis_.

PLATE CCXXI.

WURMBEA CAPENSIS. _Var._ β.

_Cape Wurmbea._ 2. _Var._:

CLASS VI. ORDER III.

_HEXANDRIA TRIGYNIA._ Six Chives. Three Pointals.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX nullus.

COROLLA monopetala, sexfida, infera; laciniis lanceolatis, acutis, erectis.

STAMINA. Filamenta sex, filiformia, erecta, fauci corollæ insertæ. Antheræ erectæ, didymæ.

PISTILLA. Germen triquetrum, apice tripartitum, glabrum, superum. Styli tres, triquetri, subulati, incurvi, longitudine staminum. Stigmata obsoleta.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula oblonga, triquetra, trisulca, trilocularis, a medio tripartita.

SEMINA plurima, rotunda.

EMPALEMENT none.

BLOSSOM one petal, six-cleft, beneath; segments lance-shaped, pointed and upright.

CHIVES. Threads six, thread-shaped, upright, inserted into the mouth of the blossom. Tips upright, double.

POINTALS. Seed-bud three-sided, three-divided at the top, smooth and above. Shafts three, three-sided, awl-shaped, turned inwards, the length of the Chives. Summits obsolete.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule oblong, three-sided, three-furrowed, three-celled, three-divided from the middle.

SEEDS many, round.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Wurmbea foliis cucullatis, lanceolatis; spica multiflora; floribus sessilibus, atro-purpureis.

Wurmbea with hooded, lance-shaped leaves; spike many-flowered; flowers sitting close to the stem and dark-purple.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Blossom cut and spread open, with the Chives in their place.

2. The Pointals, natural size.

3. The same, magnified.

This genus was first formed by Thunberg as distinct from Melanthium, in his _Dissertatio Nova Genera Plantarum_, under the title Wurmbea, from the construction of the blossom, which in this, is formed of one petal, but in that, is composed of six; a distinction which has always been considered as momentous, in determining the limits of the different genera of this class; since which, however, it has been abandoned by him, and thrown to Melanthium; although Schreber, in his Genera Plantarum, G. 617. p. 239. Vol. I. made no scruple in adopting it. Willdenow has, in his Species Plantarum, G. 703. p. 265. T. 11. P. 1. we think with propriety, renewed its claims to particular distinction, under the first title; but with this difference, that out of the four varieties given by Thunberg, all under the specific name of capensis, he has made three species; reserving his opinion on the fourth, our present plant, and the second Var. of Thunberg, for want, as he observes, of proper documents. Now, as our ideas run not exactly with Willdenow, in this alteration; but thinking with Thunberg, who must have seen the plants alive, and thence, of course, the best judge; we have the rather followed him; as we possess drawings of two more of the varieties quoted by him, taken from living specimens, and whose trifling difference of character does not warrant them to be treated as specifically different, but as mere varieties of each other.

The roots of this species, with the others, of which we have drawings, were received by G. Hibbert, Esq. in the year 1800, from the Cape of Good Hope. The bulbs are solid like those of Ixia, &c. but of a most singular form, having an appendage at the base like the pat of a mole. None of the varieties we have seen produce more than three leaves, which sheath the flower-stem one above the other, and are rather longer than it. It flourishes in sandy peat earth, and flowers in May or June; but has, certainly, more to recommend it to our notice from its singularity, as forming a separate genus; than from its beauty. Our figure was taken from the Clapham collection.

PLATE CCXXII.

GERANIUM RADIATUM.

_Rayed-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.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Geranium foliis sub-obovatis, crassiusculis, integerrimis, radiatis, humi adpressis; calycibus monophyllis, laciniis erectis; floribus pentandris, maximis, luteis; radice tuberosa.

Geranium with leaves nearly obovate, thickish, quite entire, placed in a ray about the stem, and lying on the ground; cups of one leaf, the segments erect; flowers with five fertile chives, very large and yellow; root tuberous.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Cup laid open, to shew its hollow structure.

2. The Chives and Pointal, natural size.

3. The Chives spread open, to shew the number and situation of the fertile ones.

4. The Pointal, magnified.

The only plants of this species of Geranium are to be found in the Clapham collection; they were among the last, received by Mr. Hibbert from the Cape, in 1801. To affix any particular period as the exact season of its flowering, would be premature; as, the plant from which our figure was taken, in the month of August, last year, had been kept constantly in the green-house; and, we must presume, as the root arrived nearly dry, the regular season of its flowering must have been materially altered. It appears to flourish in a light sandy soil. The propagation must be from the seeds, or from the root.

PLATE CCXXIII.

CLUSIA FLAVA.

_Yellow-flowered Balsam-Tree._

CLASS XXIII. ORDER I.

_POLYGAMIA MONOECIA._ Various dispositions. Upon one plant.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium imbricatum; foliolis concavis, persistentibus, exterioribus gradatim minoribus.

COROLLA. Petala 4, 5, 6, subrotunda concava, crassa, cochleata.

STAMINA. Filamenta plura, simplicia, corolla breviora. Antheræ simplices, apicis lateri adnatæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen ovato-oblongum. Stylus nullus. Stigma stellatum, planum, obtusum, persistens.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula ovata, sulcis exerata, locularis, valvis tum radiatim dehiscentibus.

SEMINA numerosa, ovata, pulpa obtecta, affixa receptaculo columnari, anguloso.

_Obs._ Numerus in parte fructus differt a quatuor ad duodecim proportione observata in stigmate, valvulis, loculis, &c. Flores alii a parte masculina, alii a feminina steriles sunt.

EMPALEMENT. Cup tiled; leaflets concave, remaining, the outer ones gradually smaller.

BLOSSOM. Petals 4, 5, 6, roundish, concave, thick and shell-like.

CHIVES. Threads many, simple, shorter than the blossom. Tips simple, growing to the side of the point.

POINTAL. Seed-bud oblong-egg-shaped. Shaft none. Summit starred, flat, obtuse, remaining.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule egg-shaped, strongly furrowed, celled, the valves bursting into a starred form.

SEEDS numerous, egg-shaped, covered with pulp, fixed to an angular, columnar receptacle.

_Obs._ The number in the parts of the fruit differs from four to twelve, according to the proportion observed in the summit, valves, cells, &c. Some of the flowers are sterile with respect to the male organs, and others with respect to the female ones.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Clusia foliis aveniis; corollis tetrapetalis, luteis.

Balsam Tree with veinless leaves; blossoms with four petals, and yellow.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. Flower complete.

2. A petal shewn from the inside.

3. A petal shewn sideways.

4. The Pointal and Chives, one Chive detached, magnified.

5. The Pointal cleared of the Chives, the Seed-bud and Summit detached and magnified.

The Balsam Tree is a native of all the West India Islands, and has been described by Plumier, Sloan, Jacquin, Browne, &c.; but no good figure of the plant, according with our ideas, has hitherto been given of it. The C. rosea, C. alba, and C. flava of Jacquin, the three various species, are said to grow to different heights, in the different Islands; which we are led to think, are but varieties of the same plant. Linnæus has taken them up as species, upon his authority; although Jacquin himself allows, that the one he denominates _flava_, varies in its blossoms to red and white. This plant does not grow to above the height of eight or nine feet, in this country, and seldom flowers. Our figure was taken last year in September 1801, from a plant in the Stepney Collection. Miller says it was cultivated by him in 1759, and had been introduced by Mr. Parker, of Croydon, in Surrey, from Barbadoes. It is readily propagated from cuttings, and thrives in rich, dungy earth. A slight mistake occurs, in the quotation from Browne, in Martyn’s Edition of the Dictionary; where, the petals are described as screw-shaped; Browne has it, “_cochleata_,” or shell-shaped, a most expressive term for the shape of these petals.

PLATE CCXXIV.

GERANIUM REFLEXUM.

_Reflexed-leaved Geranium._

CLASS XVI. ORDER IV.

_MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA._ Chives 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.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Geranium foliis longe petiolatis, trifoliatis; foliolis lobato incisis, recurvis; floribus umbellatis, pentandris; staminibus duobus superioribus stigmatibusque reflexis; radice tuberosa.

Geranium with leaves that have long foot-stalks, and three leaflets; leaflets gash-lobed, and rolled back; flowers grow in umbels, have five fertile chives, with the two upper chives and the summits reflexed; root tuberous.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement.

2. The Chives and Pointal.

3. The Chives spread open, magnified.

4. The Pointal, magnified.

This pretty Geranium, from the Cape of Good Hope, is another of those which were introduced by G. Hibbert, Esq. in the year 1800, through the medium of Mr. Niven. The root being tuberous, we judge that from a division of the smaller lobes it is to be increased. From the reflexed character, which pervades the whole plant, petals, leaves, parts of fructification, &c. we have adopted our specific title. The cultivation is the same, as for the other tuberous species of this genus. Our figure was made at Clapham in the month of July 1801.

PLATE CCXXV.

GNIDIA OPPOSITIFOLIA.

_Opposite-leaved Gnidia._

CLASS VIII. ORDER I.

_OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Eight Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

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

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

See GNIDIA PINIFOLIA, Pl. LII. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gnidia foliis ovatis, oppositis, concavis, tomentosis; floribus terminalibus, tomentosis.

Gnidia with egg-shaped, opposite, concave, downy leaves; flowers terminate the branches, and are downy.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Flower complete.

2. The Blossom spread open, with the Chives in their place.

3. The same, magnified.

4. The Seed-bud, Shaft and Summit.

The Opposite-leaved Gnidia is from the Cape of Good Hope, and must be treated as a tender greenhouse or dry stove plant; as, but a little excess of wet, in the winter, is sure to destroy it; even in summer, much rain, if it is exposed to it for a few days, will overwhelm it. The Kew Catalogue mentions this species to have been introduced in the year 1788, by Mr. F. Masson. The plant grows to the height of three feet, with a very slender stem, and, often, loses most of its leaves to a considerable height from the earth, which gives it rather a disagreeable appearance towards the lower part. A mixture of two-thirds loam, and one of sandy peat, is a soil it most approves. It is increased by cuttings, made in the month of April, from the tender shoots. Our figure was taken in July, from a plant in the Hibbertian Collection.

PLATE CCXXVI.

MAGNOLIA PUMILA.

_Dwarf Magnolia._

CLASS XIII. ORDER VII.

_POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA._ Many Chives. Many Pointals.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium triphyllum; foliolis ovatis, concavis, petaliformibus, deciduis.

COROLLA. Petala novem, oblonga, concava, obtusa, basi angustiora.

STAMINA. Filamenta numerosa, brevia, acuminata, compressa, receptaculo communi pistillorum infra germina inserta. Antheræ lineares, margini filamentorum utrinque adnatæ.

PISTILLA. Germina numerosa, ovato-oblonga, bilocularia, receptaculum clavatum tegentia. Styli recurvi, contorti, brevissimi. Stigmata longitudinalia styli, villosa.

PERICARPIUM. Strobilus ovatus, tectus capsulis compressis, subrotundis, vix imbricatis, confertis, acutis, unilocularibus, bivalvibus, sessilibus, extrorsum dehiscentibus, persistentibus.

SEMINA bina seu solitaria, subrotunda, baccata, filo pendentia ex sinu singulæ squamæ strobili.

EMPALEMENT. Cup three-leaved; leaflets egg-shaped, concave, the form of the petals, falling off.

BLOSSOM. Nine petals, oblong, concave, obtuse, narrower at the base.

CHIVES. Threads numerous, short, tapered, flattened, inserted below the seed-buds into the common receptacle of the Pointals. Tips linear, fixed on side to the margin of the threads.

POINTALS. Seed-buds numerous, oblong-egg-shaped, two-celled, covering a club-shaped receptacle. Shafts turned backward, twisted, very short. Summits grow out of the shafts longitudinally, hairy.

SEED-VESSEL. Cone egg-shaped covered with capsules which are flattened, roundish, scarcely tiled, crowded, pointed, one-celled, two-valved, sitting close to the receptacle, splitting from the outside and remaining.

SEEDS by twos or solitary, roundish, like berries hanging by a thread from the inside of each scale of the cone.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Magnolia foliis elipticis, undulatis, acuminatis, subglaucis; floribus nutantibus, albis; petalis carnosis, obovatis, concavis.

Magnolia with eliptic, waved leaves, tapered to a point, rather glaucous; flowers hanging down and white; petals thick, inversely egg-shaped and concave.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. One of the outer petals.

2. An inner petal.

3. The Chives and Pointals, on the receptacle.

4. The outside of one of the Chives.

5. The inside of the same.

6. The same, magnified.

7. The Pointals.

The Magnolia pumila, (as are, generally, all plants upon their first arrival from China,) has been hitherto treated as a hothouse plant; by which means, a continued foliage has been preserved: but, from every appearance of the plant, it is by nature deciduous, and, certainly hardy enough to be preserved in the greenhouse, if not to bear the exposure of the open ground. It grows to the height of about two feet, flowers in the hot-house about September or later, and is propagated by cuttings. The blossoms are very fragrant, but of short duration. To the late J. Slater, Esq. of Laytonstone, we owe this plant; which was one of that rich cargo brought home in the Carnatic, for him, by Captain Connor, in the year 1793. Our figure was taken at the Hammersmith nursery. The accession to this magnificent Genus has been considerable within a very few years: to the species formerly cultivated in Britain, viz. the _grandiflora_ with its four varieties, the _glauca_ and its two varieties, the _acuminata_ and _tripetala_, are now added; the _auriculata_ and _maxima_, from America; the _pumila_, _fuscata_ and _tomentosa_ or _Yow-lang_, from China; making in all, with the varieties, fifteen. The short acquaintance we have with the three last from China, or the knowledge of what part of that extensive country they are natives, does not enable us to decide, whether they will endure our winters; although we may on the two from America, as being hardy plants, or at least equally hardy with the _grandiflora_, being from the same part of America.

PLATE CCXXVII.

GLADIOLUS RINGENS. _Var. multiflorus._

_Gaping Gladiolus._ _Many-flowered Var._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA sex-partita, ringens.

STAMINA adscendentia.

BLOSSOM six-divided, gaping.

CHIVES ascending.

See GLADIOLUS ROSEUS, Plate XI. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gladiolus foliis sub-linearibus, costatis; floribus ringentibus cineriis, odoratissimis; scapo multifloro.

Gladiolus with nearly linear-ribbed leaves; blossoms gaping, ash-coloured, and very sweet scented; stem many flowered.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two-valved Sheath.

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

3. The Pointal complete.

This is a fine variety of the Gladiolus ringens, given on Plate XXVII. Vol. I. of this work; the only specimen we have ever seen of it, is in the Hibbertian collection, from whence our figure was taken, last year, 1801, in the month of May. It is a strong variety, but we cannot consider the difference it exhibits, from our first figure, of sufficient prominence to warrant a specific distinction. The bulbs were received at Clapham, in the autumn of 1800, from the Cape of Good Hope; they are rather delicate, and the treatment must be such as directed for the former variety of this species.

PLATE CCXXVIII.

HIBISCUS MUTABILIS. _Var. flore pleno._

_Changeable-Rose Hibiscus._ _Double-flowered Var._

CLASS XVI. ORDER VI.

_MONADELPHIA POLYANDRIA._ Threads united. Many Chives.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium duplex.

_Exterius_ polyphyllum, persistens; foliolis linearibus, rarius monophyllum, multifidum.

_Interius_ monophyllum, cyathiforme, semiquinquefidum, persistens; seu quinquedentatum, deciduum.

COROLLA. Petala quinque, subrotundo-oblonga, basi angustiora, patentia, tubo staminum inferne adnata.

STAMINA. Filamenta plurima, inferne coalita in tubum, superne (in hujus apice et superficie) divisa et laxa. Antheræ reniformes.

PISTILLUM. Germen subrotundum. Stylus filiformis, staminibus longior, superne quinquefidus. Stigmata capitata.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula quinquelocularis, quinquevalvis; dissepimentis contrariis, duplicatis.

SEMINA solitaria seu plura, ovato-reniformia.

_Obs._ Capsula aliis ovata, aliis longa; calyx exterior 3-12-phyllus.

EMPALEMENT. Cup double.

_The outer_ many leaved, permanent; leaflets linear, more rarely one-leaved, many-cleft.

_The inner_ one-leaved, cup-shaped, half five-cleft, permanent; or five toothed, and deciduous.

BLOSSOM. Petals five, roundish-oblong, narrower at the base, spreading, fastened at bottom to the tube of the chives.

CHIVES. Threads numerous, united at the base into a tube, at top (in its apex and surface) divided and loose. Tips kidney-shaped.

POINTAL. Seed-bud roundish. Shaft thread-shaped, longer than the chives, at top five-cleft. Summits headed.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule five-celled, five-valved; partitions contrary, doubled.

SEEDS solitary, or many, between egg and kidney-shaped.

_Obs._ The capsule of some species is egg-shaped, of some long; the outer cup, 3-12-leaved.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Hibiscus follis cordatis, angulatis, quinquelobis, acuminatis, dentatis; calyce exteriore octophyllo; capsula villosa; caule arboreo; floribus plenis.

Hibiscus with heart-shaped leaves, angled, five-lobed, pointed and toothed; outer cup eight-leaved; capsule hairy; stem growing to a tree; flowers double.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The double cup with the Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summits in their place.

2. The Threads cut and spread open, with those which are perfect and have the tips, remaining; those which give the plant the double flowered character being cut away; one tip detached and magnified.

3. The Seed-bud, cut transversely to shew the perfect seeds in their cells.

Barnard Dickinson, Esq. of Monks-House, near Devises, Wilts, we believe to be, at present, the only possessor, in Britain, of this fine variety of Hibiscus mutabilis. The plants were produced in 1788, from some Jamaica seeds, which were sown at Bowden, another adjoining seat of that gentleman, and where they have flowered for several years. Although the flowers are double; yet good seeds are produced, which is common to most plants of this natural order, such as Alcea Malva, &c. the fullness of the blossoms being, as usual, formed from some of the chives becoming petals, many nevertheless remaining perfect; which in these plants stand particularly distinct from the pointal, being seated on the upper part of the tube, formed by the connection of the lower part of the threads, leaving the pointal as perfect as in a single flower. It is also propagated by cutting, and thrives in rich earth. It may be considered rather a tree, than shrub, as even in this country, it acquires the height of from 15 to 20 feet. It is a native of Japan, China, and the East Indies; where it is much esteemed for the extreme beauty of its flowers, as well as in our West India islands, where it is also cultivated. The Single-flowered has been known in England above a century, having, says the Kew Catalogue, been introduced by Mr. Bentinck in the year 1690. The specific title is assumed on the singular change of the flower, from white to flesh colour, before its decay, as shewn in our figure; which was taken from a fine branch received in a perfect state from Bowden in the month of November 1801, and obligingly communicated, to the author, by Mrs. Dickinson.

PLATE CCXXIX.

MAGNOLIA FUSCATA.

_Brown-stemmed Magnolia._

CLASS XIII. ORDER VII. _of Schreb. Gen. Plant._

_POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA._ Many Chives. Many Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX 3-phyllus. Petala 6-12. Capsulæ 2-valves, imbricatæ. Semina baccata, pendula.

CUP 3-leaved. Petals 6-12. Capsules 2-valved, tiled. Seeds, berries, pendulous.

See MAGNOLIA PUMILA, Pl. 226. Vol. IV.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Magnolia foliis elipticis, senioribus glabris, junioribus ramulisque tomentosis, fuscatis; petalis interne subalbidis, marginibus elegantissime coloratis.

Magnolia with eliptical leaves, the old ones smooth, the younger as well as the small branches are downy, and browned; petals whitish within, the margins elegantly coloured.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The outer fence of the flower, which falls off before the flower expands.

2. An outer petal of the blossom.

3. A Chive, with the parts complete, before the pollen has been emitted, a little magnified.

4. The same shewn from the outside.

5. A Chive shewn from the inside with the tips burst, magnified.

6. The Chives and Pointals, natural size.

7. The Pointals as they are placed on the columnar shaft, the Chives being removed, natural size.

Of all the Magnolias with which we are as yet acquainted, this species is the most elegant; whether for the growth of the plant, the brilliancy of the foliage, or the extreme delicacy, fragrance, and beauty of the flowers. It is a native of China; from whence it was first introduced to us, in the year 1796, by T. Evans, Esq. of Stepney; from a plant in whose collection, our figure was taken, this year, 1802, in the month of February, the general season of its flowering in this climate if kept in the hot-house; to which station it has, as yet, been doomed, although, from the general character of the Genus, we should be led to treat it more hardily. It is increased by cuttings, and layers; but the first is the best method, as, in the latter mode the branches do not take root under two years. The plant from which our drawing was made, did not exceed a foot and a half in height, which leads us to suppose it never becomes a large shrub, even in China. It thrives in leaf mould, and light loam. We believe this plant has not hitherto come under the review of any botanical author.

PLATE CCXXX.

DODONÆA TRIQUETRA.

_Three-sided Dodonæa._

CLASS VIII. ORDER I.

_OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Eight Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium tetraphyllum, planum; foliolis ovatis, obtusis, concavis, deciduis.

COROLLA nulla.

STAMINA. Filamenta octo, brevissima. Antheræ oblongæ, arcuatæ, conniventes, longitudine calycis.

PISTILLUM. Germen triquetrum, longitudine calycis. Stylus cylindricus, trisulcatus, erectus. Stigma subtrifidum acutiusculum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula trisulca, inflata, trilocularis; angulis membranaceis, magnis.

SEMINA bina, subrotunda.

EMPALEMENT. Cup four-leaved, flat; leaflets egg-shaped, obtuse, concave, falling off.

BLOSSOM, none.

CHIVES. Eight threads, very short. Tips oblong, curved, approaching, the length of the cup.

POINTAL. Seed-bud three-sided, the length of the cup. Shaft cylindrical, three-furrowed, upright. Summit nearly three-cleft rather pointed.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule three-furrowed, swelled out, three cells, angles skinny, large.

SEEDS by twos, nearly round.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Dodonæa foliis lanceolatis, utrinque attenuatis, glaberrimis; ramulis triquetris; floribus dioicis.

Dodonæa with lance-shaped leaves, tapered to both ends, very smooth; the small branches three-sided; flowers with chives and pointals distinct.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

_Male Flower._

1. The Empalement, magnified.

2. The Empalement and Chives, before the bursting of the tips, magnified.

3. The same, when the tips have emitted the pollen, magnified.

_Female Flower._

1. The Empalement, magnified.

2. The Empalement, seed-bud, shaft and summit, magnified.

3. A ripe capsule, natural size.

4. One of the divisions of the capsule.

5. A ripe seed, natural size.

The species here figured of Dodonæa is from New Holland; where, Forster says he found it, as we have given it, with the chives and pointals distinct; but, that the same species was hermaphrodite, when growing in New Zealand, which may perhaps be the fact, though we should suspect, from such circumstance, they were different species. Martyn in his Ed. of Miller’s Dict. mentions this plant, and throws it to the broad-leaved species found in the tropical climates of America and Asia. Willdenow, in his Sp. Plant. Tom. 11. P. 1. p. 345, has made it a species, without any observation on its parts of fructification; which leads us to suppose, he had not seen flowering specimens. It is as hardy as any greenhouse plant we possess, but will not resist the severity of our frosts; is easily propagated by cuttings, and thrives in almost any earth. It is so very common in New Holland, that, scarce a parcel of seeds has arrived from thence, but has contained some of the seeds. The two figures were taken from two plants at the nursery Hammersmith.

PLATE CCXXXI.

CERBERA AHOUAI.

_Oval-leaved Cerbera._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CONTORTA. Drupa monosperma. Corolla infundibuliformis.

FLOWERS contorted. Pulpy seed-vessel, one-seeded. Blossom funnel-shaped.

_See Plate 130, Cerbera undulata, Vol. II._

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Cerbera foliis ovatis, acutis, laciniis corollæ undulatis; calycis foliolis reflexis.

Cerbera with egg-shaped, pointed leaves; segments of the blossom waved; leaflets of the cup reflexed.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement.

2. A Blossom cut open, the Chives in their place.

3. The Seed-bud, Shaft and Summit; with the summit detached, magnified.

The oval-leaved Cerbera is a native of the continent of South America, in Brazil and the other provinces within the tropics; therefore, must be treated as a tender hothouse plant. It is increased by cuttings, delights most in a rich soil, and flowers in July, or August. It is said to acquire the height of ten feet, in its native clime, but, with us, it seldom attains to three; becoming a handsome, bushy shrub. The flowers have a faint smell, as have most of this natural order; the whole plant is replete with a whitish juice, of a most deleterious quality; and the wood when rubbed emits a disagreeable odour. The fruit is considered by the indians as a deadly poison against which there is no antidote. Our figure was taken from a plant in the Hibbertian Collection, Clapham. Introduced to England, (or rather cultivated about that period) says the Kew Catalogue, by Mr. Miller, in the year 1739.

PLATE CCXXXII.

IXIA CAPITATA. _Var. Stellata._

_Bunch-flowering Ixia._ _Var. Star-flowered._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA 6 partita, patens æqualis. Stigmata tria, erectiusculo patula.

BLOSSOM 6 divisions, spreading, equal. Summits three, between upright and spreading.

See IXIA REFLEXA, Plate XIV. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ixia foliolis ensiformibus, erectis, scapo brevioribus; floribus capitatis, confertis, pallide carneis; petalis basi stellatis.

Ixia with sword-shaped leaves, upright shorter than the stem; flowers grow in heads, crowded, of a pale flesh-colour; petals starred at the base.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two valves of the sheath.

2. A flower cut open, the Chives remaining.

3. The Pointal.

As we cannot think this plant possesses sufficient distinctive character, to entitle it to a particular specific title, we have placed it as above; although we must confess that the root, in this plant, is very dissimilar from most of the bunch-flowering species. It is a very hardy bulb, and in no ways liable to rot, increasing very abundantly, and flowering, without any assistance from heat, about the end of May. Our figure was taken at the Hammersmith nursery in 1799; to which it had been introduced, about four years previous.

PLATE CCXXXIII.

MELANTHIUM VIRIDE.

_Green-flowered Melanthium._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX nullus.

COROLLA. Petala sex, ovato-oblonga, patentia, unguibus linearibus longioribus, persistentia.

STAMINA. Filamenta sex, filiformia, erecta, longitudine corollæ, cui inserta supra ungues. Antheræ globosæ.

PISTILLA. Germen conicum, striatum. Styli tres, distincti, curvi. Stigmata obtusa.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula ovata, trigona, trisulca, trilocularis, ex capsulis tribus introrsum unitis.

SEMINA plurima, compressa, semiovata.

EMPALEMENT, none.

BLOSSOM. Six petals, oblong egg-shaped, spreading, with linear longer claws remaining.

CHIVES. Threads six, thread-shaped, upright, the length of the blossom into which they are inserted above the claws. Tips globular.

POINTALS. Seed-bud conical, streaked. Shafts three, distinct, curved. Summits blunt.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule egg-shaped, three-sided, three furrowed, three-celled, formed of three capsules united within.

SEEDS numerous, flattened, half egg-shaped.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Melanthium foliis ovato lanceolatis, scapo vaginantibus, erectis; corollis viridi-purpureis, reflexis.

Melanthium with leaves between lance and egg-shaped, sheathing the stem and upright; blossoms greenish-purple, reflexed.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Petal with its Chive attached, magnified.

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

3. The Seed-bud cut transversely, magnified.

The Green-flowered Melanthium was introduced to the Kew collection, by Mr. F. Masson, in the year 1788, as we are informed by the catalogue of that garden, from the Cape of Good Hope. The plant from which our figure was taken, had been sent to the Clapham collection amongst other bulbs which were received from Mr. Niven in the year 1800; it flowered the succeeding year, when our drawing was made. We believe, at present, it is in no other collection than that of Mr. Hibbert; nor do we think, without a fresh supply, it will be long seen in this country, as it has been often introduced, and as often lost; nor does it increase with us by the root, and the seeds have not, as yet, matured in this country; it appears to grow luxuriantly in sandy peat earth, and flowers in July.

PLATE CCXXXIV.

PROTEA SPICATA.

_Spike-flowered Protea._

CLASS IV. ORDER I.

_TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Four Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

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

BLOSSOM 4-cleft or 4-petalled. Tips linear, inserted into the petals below the point. Proper cup none. Seeds solitary.

See PROTEA FORMOSA, Plate XVII. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Protea foliis bipinnatis, subfiliformibus, pinnulæ canaliculatæ, apice glandulosæ; capitula spicata, quadriflora.

Protea with twice-divided leaves nearly thread-shaped, small divisions channelled and glandular at the end; small heads in spikes and four-flowered.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement.

2. One of the small heads of flowers, not yet expanded.

3. The same, with the flowers open.

4. A flower taken from the general cup, with one of the petals detached, magnified.

5. The Pointal, the Summit detached, magnified.

From a plant now in flower, May 1802, in the Hibbertian collection, our figure was taken. It is one of those described by Thunberg in his Dissertatio de Protea, n. 11, and in his Prodromus 25, under the title we have given it; and which is, certainly, very appropriate; although many have the flowers growing in spikes. We believe this is the first time it has flowered in Britain, and that, at present, it is very scarce; having been introduced by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy in the year 1790. It is a hardy greenhouse plant, is increased by cuttings, and thrives in a sandy loam with a small portion of sandy peat earth. Native of the Cape of Good Hope.

PLATE CCXXXV.

MIMOSA DISCOLOR.

_Two-coloured leaved Mimosa._

CLASS XXIII. ORDER I.

_POLYGAMIA MONOECIA._ Various dispositions: Upon one plant.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

HERMAPH. Calyx 5-dentatus. Cor. 5-fida.

STAMINA 5 seu plura. Pist. 1. Legumen.

MASC. Calyx 5-dentatus. Cor. 5-fida.

STAMINA 5, 10, plura.

HERMAPH. Cup 5-toothed. Blossom 5-cleft.

CHIVES 5 or more. Pointal 1. A pod.

MALE. Calyx 5-toothed. Blossom 5-cleft.

CHIVES 5, 10, or more.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Mimosa inermis; foliis bipinnatis, sexjugis, bicoloribus; pinnis acutis, æqualibus; spicis axillaribus; capitulis globosis; siliquis latissimis, planis.

Mimosa without spines; leaves doubly winged, in six pairs, and two coloured; wings sharp pointed and equal; spikes grow from the insertion of the leaves; small heads globular; pods very broad and flat.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, natural size.

2. The same, magnified.

3. A Blossom.

4. A Chive, magnified.

5. The Pointal natural size, from an hermaphrodite flower.

6. The same, magnified.

In the year 1788 the seeds of this plant were received, from New South Wales, by a number of persons; and were raised, the same year, by most of those who sowed the seeds. The character of the plant from whence it derives its specific title is much lost in its advanced state; but in the first two or three years of its growth, it is extremely powerful; the under part of the young leaves being of a bright purple. It is extremely difficult to propagate from cuttings; and it has not, as yet, perfected its seeds in England. It grows to the height of six or seven feet; is a hardy green-house plant; and thrives most in sandy peat earth. Our figure was made from a very fine specimen, communicated by the Hon. W. H. Irby, in September 1801, from his elegant collection at the Parsonage, Farnham Royal, near Windsor, Bucks.

PLATE CCXXXVI.

HYPOXIS STELLATA. _Var. flore albo._

_Star-flowered Hypoxis._ _White Var._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA sexpartita, persistens, supera. Capsula basi angustior. Spatha 2-valvis.

BLOSSOM sixparted, remaining, above. Capsule narrower at the base. Sheath two valves.

_See Hypoxis stellata. Pl. 101. Vol. II._

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Hypoxis scapo unifloro; foliis sublinearibus, laxis, striatis; petalis basi maculatis; corolla intus alba.

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

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Petal of the Blossom, shewn from the outside.

2. The Chives and Pointal.

3. One of the Chives.

4. The Pointal, cleared of the chives.

This most brilliant variety of Hypoxis stellata, is as old an inhabitant of our gardens as the other Var. figured in the 2d Vol. of the Repository, Pl. 101; it was likewise introduced by Mr. F. Masson. The roots of this plant are rather more tender, or delicate, than those of the yellow variety; which makes it scarcer, and much less known. The nursery, Hammersmith, is the only place at which we have seen it; and, we believe, they have it not in Holland. The root from which our figure was taken, had been imported, from the Cape, in 1801. It flowers in April, and increases by the root; should be planted in very light sandy peat earth, and removed from the pot soon after the flowers are decayed.

PLATE CCXXXVII.

CYTISUS TOMENTOSUS.

_Downy-leaved Cytisus._

CLASS XVII. ORDER IV.

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

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, campanulatum, breve, basi obtusum; ore bilabiato; labio superiore bifido, acuminato; inferiore tridentato.

COROLLA papillionacea.

_Vexillum_ ovatum, assurgens, laterioribus reflexis.

_Alæ_ longitudine vexilli, rectæ, obtusæ.

_Carina_ ventriculosa, acuminata.

STAMINA. Filamenta diadelpha (simplex et novemfidum) assurgentia. Antheræ simplices.

PISTILLUM. Germen oblongum. Stylus simplex, assurgens. Stigma obtusum.

PERICARPIUM. Legumen oblongum, obtusum, basi attenuatum, rigidum.

SEMINA nonnulla, reniformia, compressa.

EMPALEMENT. Cup one-leaved, bell-shaped, short, blunt at the base; mouth two-lipped; upper lip two cleft, tapered; lower tip three-cleft.

BLOSSOM butterfly shaped.

_Standard_ egg-shaped, rising upwards, turned back at the sides.

_Wings_ the length of the standard, straight, blunt.

_Keel_ a little bellied, tapered.

CHIVES. Threads in two sets (one single, the other nine-cleft) turned upwards. Tips simple.

POINTAL. Seed-bud oblong. Shaft simple, turned upwards. Summit obtuse.

SEED-VESSEL. Pod oblong, obtuse, tapered at the base, stiff.

SEEDS a few, kidney-shape, flattened.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Cytisus racemis lateralibus, erectis; ramis teretibus, divaricatis; foliolis ovatis, tomentosis; vexillo crenulato; corollis luteis.

Cytisus with the bunches of flowers growing from the sides of the branches, which are round and straddle; leaflets egg-shaped and downy; standard a little scolloped; blossoms yellow.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement.

2. The standard.

3. One of the Wings.

4. The Keel.

5. The Empalement, Chives, and Pointal, a little magnified.

6. The Seed-bud, magnified.

7. A ripe Pod.

8. The same, split open, to expose the situation of the seeds.

This pretty Cytisus, a native of the Cape of Good Hope, was raised from seeds at the Hammersmith nursery, in the year 1798. It is rather a weak, and loose growing shrub, attaining the height of a foot and a half, and flowering about August. It delights in a light soil, and is propagated with ease by cuttings; it likewise perfects its seeds. The whole habit of the plant much more resembles Crotolaria than Cytisus; but the seed-vessel and empalement preclude its admission to that Genus.

PLATE CCXXXVIII.

ROËLLA DECURRENS.

_Decurrent-leaved Roella._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, turbinatum, quinquepartitum, persistens; laciniis lanceolatis, acutis, dentatis, magnis.

COROLLA monopetala, infundibuliformis, decidua; tubus calyce paulo brevior; limbus erecto-patens, quinquepartitus, calyce longior.

_Nectarium_ e squamis quinque, conniventibus, in fundo corollæ.

STAMINA. Filamenta quinque, subulata, nectario insidentia. Antheræ subulatæ, conniventes, longitudine filamentorum, altitudine calycis.

PISTILLUM. Germen oblongum, inferum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine staminum. Stigmata duo, oblonga, depressa, patentia.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula cylindracea, calyce brevior, coronatacalyce patentimajoreque facto, bilocularis.

SEMINA plurima, angulata.

Obs. Campanulæ valde affinis.

EMPALEMENT. Cup one leaf, top-shaped, five-divided, remaining; segments lance-shaped, pointed, toothed, large.

BLOSSOM one petal, funnel-shaped, deciduous, tube a little shorter than the cup; border between upright and spreading, five-divided, longer than the cup.

_Honey-cup_ formed of five scales, approaching, at the bottom of the blossom.

CHIVES. Five threads, awl-shaped, placed upon the honey-cup. Tips awl-shaped, approaching the length of the threads, the height of the cup.

POINTAL. Seed-bud oblong, beneath. Shaft thread-shaped, the length of the chives. Summits two, oblong, flattened, spreading.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule cylindrical, shorter than the cup, crowned with the spreading cup which has become larger, two celled.

SEEDS many, angled.

Obs. This Genus is very nigh affined to campanula.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Roëlla foliis lanceolatis, ciliatis, integerrimis, decurrentibus; floribus solitariis, pedunculis longissimis, axillaribus.

Roella with lance-shaped leaves, fringed, quite entire, decurrent; flowers solitary, foot-stalks very long, growing from the base of the leaves close to the stem.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, Chives, and Pointal, the blossom removed.

2. A Blossom cut on one side, and spread open.

3. One of the scales of the Honey-cup, with its Chive magnified.

4. The Pointal, cleared of the other parts of fructification.

As an annual, this is a most beautiful little plant; but, although the seeds have been received several times, from the Cape of Good Hope, where it is native; and first at the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1787, sent by Mr. F. Masson; yet, has it never been seen the second year; owing, we suppose, to the impracticability of procuring ripe seeds in our climate. Perhaps future trials, by different treatment, may meet with a happier issue. The figure was taken at the Clapham Garden, in August 1800; when the plant had apparently attained its greatest perfection; but unfortunately, no seeds ripened; and at present, we believe, there is no vestige of the plant in Britain. It appears to delight in sandy peat, and to be kept under cover, even in the summer season.

PLATE CCXXXIX.

GERANIUM SELINUM.

_Rock-Parsley-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. Vol. 1. Pl. XII.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Geranium foliis pinnatis, foliolis alternis, laciniatis, hirsutis; petala bina superiora refracta, 3 inferiora concava, conniventia, recta; staminibus 5 fertilibus; radice tuberosa.

Geranium with winged leaves; leaflets alternate, ragged, and hairy; the two upper petals appearing broke back, the 3 lower concave, approaching and straight; five fertile chives; root tuberous.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement.

2. The Chives, cut open and magnified.

3. The Pointal and Seed-bud magnified.

Geranium selinum claims the priority of introduction, with us, to any of that numerous division, in this large family, which are tuberous rooted and stemless, not including the G. triste, G. lobatum, or G. prolificum; and of which, although we have given many figures, we still possess drawings of 18 handsome species, besides numberless varieties. It was introduced in 1788 by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy; is a hardy greenhouse plant, being less subject to rot, after the decay of the leaves, than any of its congeners; flowers freely about June, and is propagated by the root; the seed (sometimes) ripens likewise. Our figure was taken from a plant, whose root had been received at the Clapham Garden, in 1800. As all the plants figured in the Botanist’s Repository, are titled with the commonly accepted names, if any, in England; and, as many have been given under different names, in some other publications, whence much confusion; we shall defer all attempt at synonim, till the end of this Volume, when a copious _Index Synonimorum_ will be published, of all the plants figured in the work, for the use of those who wish for such authorities.

PLATE CCXL.

GLADIOLUS CARNEUS.

_Flesh-coloured Gladiolus._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA sexpartita, ringens.

STAMINA adscendentia.

BLOSSOM six divisions, gaping.

CHIVES ascending.

See GLADIOLUS ROSEUS, Pl. 11. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gladiolus foliis ensiformibus, costatis, glabris; floribus secundis, cernuis, carneis; petalis tribus superioribus divergentibus, inferioribus supra medium punctatis.

Gladiolus with sword-shaped leaves, ribbed, and smooth; flowers pointing one way, nodding and flesh-coloured; the three upper petals diverge, the three lower are dotted upon the middle.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two valves of the sheath.

2. The Blossom spread open, with the Chives in their place.

3. The Pointal, complete.

Our present plant has a nigh affinity with G. communis, and indeed might, perhaps, be considered as a variety of it; but, as upon a close examination this will be found to differ, in many respects, we have adopted the name, quoted by Willdenow, from Jacquin, De la Roche, Burman, &c. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and introduced, from thence, to us, in 1800. Our figure was made at the Hammersmith Nursery, this year, being the first of its flowering in this country. It is a very hardy bulb, and increases freely. Flowers in May.

PLATE CCXLI.

GLADIOLUS ORCHIDIFLORUS.

_Orchis-like-flowered Gladiolus._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA sexpartita, ringens.

STAMINA adscendentia.

BLOSSOM six divisions, gaping.

CHIVES ascending.

See GLADIOLUS ROSEUS, Pl. II. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gladiolus foliis linearibus; scapo polystachio; floribus spicatis, secundis; laciniis binis lateralibus corollæ latissimis, summa erecta, tribus inferioribus dependentibus, maculatis.

Gladiolus with linear leaves; flower-stem branched; flowers grow in spikes, all from one side; the two side segments of the blossom are very broad, the top one upright, the three lower hang down, and are spotted.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two valves of the sheath.

2. A Blossom spread open, with the Chives in their place.

3. The Pointal, one of the divisions of the summit magnified.

As a singularity among its fellows, this Gladiolus stands prominently distinct; and the uncommon and curious formation of its flowers will, undoubtedly, counterbalance, in the eye of the botanist, what they want in brilliancy of colour. It is a hardy bulb, and appears to require only the usual treatment of the hardier species of the genus. The Clapham collection is, we believe, the only one in which it is to be found in England; to which it was introduced, by Mr. Niven, in the spring of the year 1801, and where our drawing was made, this present year, in the month of March 1802.

PLATE CCXLII.

XERANTHEMUM FASCICULATUM.

_Bundled-leaved Everlasting-flower._

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

_SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA._ Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

Receptaculum paleaceum. Pappus setaceus. Calyx imbricatus, radiatus; radio colorato.

Receptacle chaffy. Feather bristly. Cup tiled, rayed; the ray colored.

See XERANTHEMUM SPECIOCISSIMUM, Pl. LI. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Xeranthemum foliis caulinis linearibus subteretibus, fasciculatis, longissimis; floribus solitariis; squamis calycinis lanceolatis, pallide-luteis.

Everlasting-flower, with the stem leaves linear, roundish, bundled, very long; flowers solitary; the scales of the cup lance-shaped, and pale yellow.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A scale of the cup.

2. An hermaphrodite floret, with its seed, magnified.

3. A female floret, with its seed, magnified.

4. The Pointal of a female floret, magnified.

Amongst the number of very beautiful plants introduced by Mr. Niven, and which now enrich that fund of botanical rarity, the Clapham collection, this species of Xeranthemum does not stand the least conspicuous. Twelve years since we possessed but four species of this genus, viz. X. fulgidum, X. retortum, X. vestitum, and X. speciocissimum; now they extend to fourteen. The others, as well as the foregoing, are all (but one, the X. lucidum of Port Jackson, New South Wales) from the Cape of Good Hope, and introduced to us from thence, by various hands, in the following order; X. proliferum, through Holland, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy; X. formosum and X. candicans by the same, from Cape seeds; X. sessamoides by Mrs. Gostling, of Hounslow; X. filiforme by Mr. Dunn, of Cambridge; X. fasciculatum and X. truncatum by G. Hibbert, Esq. X. argenteum and X. spirale by Montague Burgoyne, Esq. of Mark Hall, Essex. They are very subject to damp in the leaves, from a confined air therefore, should be kept in the window, or most airy part of the greenhouse. The most sandy peat that can be procured is the best for their growth. They may be all, thus, propagated by cuttings, taken off in the early part of the month of June; put these into a pot filled with sand, and covered by a bell-glass the size of the pot; plunge it in a north or east border, and let the whole be covered with a hand glass, which must be kept quite close till the cuttings are rooted; then the inner glass must be removed, and in about a week the pot maybe taken from under the outer one, when the plants may be removed into small pots in about a fortnight. Our present plant seldom grows higher than two feet, of which, at least, one is the foot-stalks of the flowers; it continues in flower from March till September.

PLATE CCXLIII.

PROTEA LAGOPUS.

_Woolly-leaved Protea._

CLASS IV. ORDER I.

_TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Four Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

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

BLOSSOM 4-cleft or 4-petalled. Tips linear, inserted into the petals below the point. Proper Cup none. Seeds solitary.

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

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Protea foliis bipinnatis, filiformibus; capitulis spicatis, aggregatis, quadrifloris; corollis intus purpureis.

Protea with doubly winged leaves, thread-shaped; small heads grow in spikes close together, four flowers in each; blossoms purple within.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The scales of the cup of one of the small heads.

2. A small head of flowers, one of the flowers open, the rest not yet expanded.

3. A floret, with the petals expanded.

4. A petal, with its chive, magnified.

5. A Pointal, natural size, with the summit detached and magnified.

This handsome Protea we owe to Mr. R. Williams, of Turnham-green, nurseryman, who raised it by seeds received from the Cape of Good Hope in the year 1797. It is one of the handsomest we yet possess of the winged-leaved kind of Proteas; of which division, in this large family, there are now in the Hibbertian collection eighteen distinct species. This plant grows to the height of three feet, makes a very bushy head, and, when in flower, has a handsome appearance; as there are sometimes twenty spikes of flowers on it at one time. It is propagated by cuttings, thrives in sandy loam, and flowers in June; in which month this year, 1802, our drawing was made at Clapham.

PLATE CCXLIV.

HEMEROCALLIS GRAMINEA.

_Grass-leaved 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 linearibus, carinatis, gramineis; petalis tribus interioribus majoribus undulatis, exterioribus minoribus, extus bruneis.

Hemerocallis with linear leaves, keeled and grassy; the three inner petals larger, waved, the outer smaller, brown on the outside.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. An outer leaf of the Blossom, shewn from the outside.

2. The Chives and Pointal.

3. The Pointal and Seed-bud, cleared of the chives.

We have little doubt but that this is the species of Day-Lily known to botanists, since the days of Parkinson and Gerarde, under the character of a small leaved variety of the Yellow Day-Lily, although it has been many years lost to the country. It is one amongst the many plants introduced by the late Dr. Sibthorpe, to the Oxford botanic garden. As a native of the northern parts of Europe, it is as hardy as either the H. flava or H. fulva, to both which species it bears strong affinity; although, we conceive, sufficiently distinct from either, to constitute a species; which however we should not have done, but that the plant is now known in our gardens, under our specific title. The flowers of this plant last, in general, two or three days before they decay, are very sweet scented, and as large as those of the H. fulva. It is increased as easily as any of the genus, by parting the roots, and thrives in almost any soil.

PLATE CCXLV.

IXIA PUSILLA.

_Dwarf blue Ixia._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

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

BLOSSOM 6-divided, spreading, equal. Summits three, between upright and spreading.

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

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ixia foliis sublinearibus, costatis, crassis; scapo bifloro, longitudine, foliorum; floribus distantibus, cæruleis.

Ixia with nearly linear leaves, ribbed, thick; flower-stem two-flowered, the length of the leaves; flowers grow distant, and are blue.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two valves of the sheath.

2. A Flower cut open, with the Chives in their place.

3. The Pointal, one of the summits detached and magnified.

This pretty little Ixia is quite new to our gardens, never having, as far as we can learn, been seen to flower before this year. It is the most delicate in shape and character of any we have as yet examined; and as we could not trace it as described in any author, we have given it the trivial name it here bears. The figure exhibits a large specimen of the whole plant, which is too weak to support itself, although the leaves are thick and stiff. Our drawing was made in the month of April, from a plant in the Clapham collection, where only it is to be found; the roots having been sent from the Cape of Good Hope in the autumn of the preceding year. It appears to flourish with the treatment Mr. Allen has given it, a dry situation, planted in very sandy peat. From the construction of the root, which has a hard smooth skin, we should be led to think its increase will not be very abundant.

PLATE CCXLVI.

GERANIUM INCRASSATUM.

_Fleshy-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 carnosis, inequaliter pinnatis seu lobatis, laciniis tridentatis, obtusis; corollis saturate rubris, striatis; floribus pentandris; radice tuberosa.

Geranium with fleshy leaves, unequally winged or lobed, segments three-toothed, blunt; blossoms of a deep red, and streaked; flowers with five fertile tips; root tuberous.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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

2. The Chives spread open.

3. The Pointal, natural size, with the summits detached, magnified.