The botanist's repository for new and rare plants; vol. 03 & 04 [of 10]

Chapter VI: Part 6

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This species of Embothrium was introduced to Britain at the same time as the Silky Embothrium, of our second volume, plate 100; and has been considered but as a third variety of it, by Dr. Smith, in his First Number of New Holland Botany, page 23. But the total difference in the habit of the plant, except in the shape of the flowers, has induced us to give it a specific title. It grows to the height of five or six feet, not very bushy; abounding through the whole year in a succession of flowers, which proceed from the young branches; ripe seed being produced upon the plant at the same time. It should be planted in light sandy peat, and kept in a dry part of the green-house, as the younger branches are apt to suffer from damps in the months of December and January. Our drawing was made at the Hammersmith nursery, in the year 1800, about the month of July.

PLATE CCLXXIII.

LOBELIA PINIFOLIA.

_Pine-leaved Lobelia._

CLASS XIX. ORDER VI.

_SYNGENESIA MONOGAMIA._ Tips united. Flowers simple.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, quinquedentatum, minimum, germini circumnatum, marcescens; denticulis subæqualibus.

COROLLA monopetala, irregularis; tubus cylindraceus, calyce longior, superne longitudinaliter divisus; limbus quinquepartitus; laciniis lanceolatis, quarum superiores dure minores, magis reflexæ, profundius divisæ, constituentis labium superius; tres reliquæ inferiores magis patentes, sæpius majores.

STAMINA. Filamenta quinque, subulata, longitudine tubi petali. Antheræ connatæ in cylindrum oblongum, basi quinquefariam dehiscentem.

PISTILLUM. Germen acuminatum, inferum. Stylus cylindraceus, longitudine staminum. Stigma obtusum, hispidum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula ovata, biloculariis, apice dehiscens, cincta calyce.

SEMINA plurima, minima.

EMPALEMENT. Cup one leaf, five-toothed, very small, growing round the seed-bud, withering; toothlets nearly equal.

BLOSSOM one petal, irregular; tube cylindric longer than the cup, divided longitudinally above; border five-parted; segments lance-shaped, of which the two upper ones are smaller, more reflexed, deeper divided and form the upper lip; the three other lower ones spread more, and often are larger.

CHIVES. Five threads, awl shaped, the length of the tube of the petal. Tips joined together forming an oblong cylinder, splitting into five divisions at the base.

POINTAL. Seed-bud tapered, beneath. Shaft cylindrical the length of the chives. Summit blunt, hairy.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule egg-shaped, two celled, splitting at top, girt by the cup.

SEEDS numerous, small.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Lobelia foliis lanceolato-linearibus, confertis, integerrimis; denticulis calycinis longissimis; floribus cæruleis.

Lobelia with leaves between lance and linear-shaped, crowded together, and quite entire; toothlets of the cup very long; flowers blue.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement.

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

3. A half ripe seed-pod.

4. The Pointal, with the summit detached and magnified.

5. A ripe seed-vessel, cut transversely.

About the year 1786, this plant was sent by Mr. F. Masson, to the royal gardens at Kew; as we find it in the catalogue of that collection. Nevertheless a single plant of it was not to be found in any of our botanic gardens, for these few years back; until the recent introduction of it, by Mr. Niven, to the Hibbertian Collection in 1789. It is a very delicate shrub; grows to the height of eighteen inches; branching but little, and producing mostly two flowers at the termination of each branch. It may be increased by cuttings, or from the seed, which ripens in this country; but, like most of the species of this genus, it is not a long lived plant. It approves most of a light sandy peat, with a small mixture of loam; and to be kept in rather a small pot, in proportion to the general size used for plants of the same bigness. Flowers in July.

PLATE CCLXXIV.

ORNITHOGALUM LACTEUM.

_Large White-flowered Star of Bethlehem._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA 6-petala, erecta, persistens, supra medium patens. Filamenta basi dilatata. Capsula 3-locularis. Semina subrotunda, nuda.

BLOSSOM 6-petals, upright, remaining, spreading above the middle. Threads widened at the base. Capsule 3-celled. Seeds roundish, naked.

See ORNITHOGALUM ODORATUM. Pl. CCLX. Vol. IV.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ornithogalum racemo longo; filamentis subulatis, alternis sub-lanceolatis; bracteis membranaceis, ovatis, pedunculo duplo brevioribus; foliis lanceolatis, acutis, ad oras villosis; floribus albidis.

Star of Bethlehem with a long flower spike; threads awl-shaped, alternate ones nearly lance-shaped; flower props skinny, egg-shaped, twice as short as the fruit-stalk; leaves lance-shaped, acute, finely haired at the edges; flowers white.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. One of the Flower-props.

2. The Chives and pointal, the petals being removed.

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

This fine species of Star of Bethlehem, from the Cape of Good Hope, was first introduced to Britain, from thence by Lady Miller, of Froyle Place near Alton, Hampshire, in the year 1796. It is a very hardy bulb, but does not flower every year, in this country. It will live with a very slight protection from the severest frosts in winter; should be planted in sandy loam; kept rather dry after the decay of the leaves; and only removed from its pot to renew the earth. It propagates by the root, and flowers in July. Our drawing was made from a plant which had been received from the Cape, in the Hibbertian Collection.

PLATE CCLXXV.

GLADIOLUS RINGENS.

_Var. undulatus._

_Gaping-flowered Gladiolus._

_Waved-flowered Var._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA sexpartita, ringens. Stamina adscendentia.

BLOSSOM six divisions, gaping. Chives ascending.

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

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gladiolus foliis linearibus, costatis; floribus ringentibus, cineriis; petalis undulatis.

Gladiolus with linear leaves, ribbed; flowers gaping, ash coloured; petals waved.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two valves of the Empalement.

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

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

The Clapham collection we believe to be the only one which, at present, possesses this handsome variety of the Gaping Gladiolus. It was introduced, from the Cape, by Mr. Niven in 1800. Our drawing was made in August of the above year, but its natural season of flowering, if we may judge by analogy, should be about May or June, at latest. It increases by the root, and should be treated as a tender Gladiolus. The flower is without smell.

PLATE CCLXXVI.

MONSONIA FILIA.

_Hairy-leaved Monsonia._

CLASS XVIII. ORDER II.

_POLYADELPHIA DODECANDRIA._ Threads in many Sets. Twelve Chives.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium pentaphyllum erectum; foliolis lanceolatis, sub apice mucronatis, æqualibus, persistentibus.

COROLLA. Petala quinque, obovata æqualia, flaccida, plicata, margine inequaliter dentata.

STAMINA. Filamenta quindecim, erecta, connata in quinque corpora, e 3 singula. Antheræ oblongæ, versatiles.

PISTILLUM. Germen pentagonum, breve. Stylus columnaris. Stigmata quinque, recurva, oblonga.

PERICARPIUM nullum. Fructus rostratus, pentacoccus.

SEMINA solitaria, arillata; arista longissima demum spirali.

EMPALEMENT. Cup five-leaved upright; leaflets lance-shaped, pointed at the end, equal, and remaining.

BLOSSOM. Five petals, inversely egg-shaped, equal, flaccid, plaited, unequally toothed at the margin.

CHIVES. Fifteen threads, upright, formed into five bodies, three to each. Tips oblong, versatile.

POINTAL. Seed-bud five-sided, short. Shaft columnar. Five summits, recurved and oblong.

SEED-VESSEL none. Fruit furnished with long awns, five dry berries.

SEEDS solitary, in a seed-coat with a very long awn, becoming spiral.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Monsonia foliis inciso-lobatis, hirsutis; lobis inequaliter dentatis.

Monsonia with deeply-cut lobes, hairy; lobes unequally toothed.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement.

2. A Petal of the flower, shewn from the backside.

3. A Petal of the flower, shewn from the inside.

4. The Chives and Pointal divested of the petals.

5. The Chives spread open, to shew the number of distinct bodies into which they are divided.

6. The Seed bud, Shaft, and Summits.

7. A Seed-bud cut transversely.

8. One of the berries, taken from its coat, a little advanced to maturity.

The Genus Monsonia was formed by Linnæus, in honour of the Right Hon. Lady Ann Monson, whose enthusiasm, in pursuing the study of natural history, knew no bounds; and whose liberal and fostering hand contributed more, perhaps, than any of her cotemporaries, by her encouragement and example, to the then incipient, but now so prevailing taste for the study of Botany.

The Monsonias are all natives of the Cape of Good Hope; are rather herbaceous plants than shrubs, at least, those generally denominated such; for although the Geranium spinosum has been given to this genus, we have our doubts whether it ought not to remain with Geranium. They are hardy green-house plants, flower in the months of July and August; are propagated by the cutting small portions from the roots; and should be planted in a mixture of sandy peat and loam. This species was introduced by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy in the year 1788. Our drawing was made from a plant in the Hibbertian collection..

It is rather strange that Thunberg in the second part of his Prod. Plant. Cap. published in 1800; and Wildenow in his Spec. Plant. volume the third, part 1, published the same year, should both, in the classification of this genus rather wish to alter its class, as Schreber and Cavanilles had done before them, than give it, in their works, under the class and title where it was originally placed, by the founder of the genus; or take it up on the authority of the catalogue of the plants in the Kew gardens; where, unquestionably, two species, at least, had flowered antecedent to the publication of that work. But indeed both of them, have so jumbled the different synonims which they have adapted to the three species known at present in our gardens under the names of M. speciosa, M. lobata, and M. filia, that it is nearly impossible to recognize in either publication the different plants under the charactered titles they bear with us. As for Thunberg, he has thrown them all to Geranium, under new specific names: and thus, has made his alteration complete. Wildenow indeed has but changed the class, and altered one specific title; but by new naming that which is our M. speciosa he has been obliged to give the name of speciosa to our present plant, and place the specific _filia_, as given by Linnæus to this, as a synonim to M. lobata, upon the authority of Cavanilles; who, we must presume, had never seen more than dried specimens of any species of this genus. But however, we shall not pretend to clear up the bewildered state, in which we there find this tribe of plants; or attempt to throw any farther light on a subject that seems to have been, short as it is, a complete puzzle to two such eminent botanists; but merely state our ideas, that we think these plants were sufficiently well arranged under the first assumed class, and equally readily to be known by their old specific titles.

PLATE CCLXXVII.

PROTEA SPECIOSA.

_Var. foliis glabris._

_Smooth-leaved Shewy Protea._

CLASS IV. ORDER I.

_TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Four Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

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

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

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

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Protea foliis lanceolatis, glabris; squamæ calycinæ interiores barbatæ, apice incurvatæ, fuscæ.

Protea with lance-shaped smooth leaves; the inner scales of the empalement are bearded, turned inward at the point and brown.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Seed-bud and Pointal.

2. A Flower spread open, with the tips in their places.

This fine variety of the Shewy Protea might, indeed, almost pass for a distinct species. It was introduced, to Britain, in the year 1794, by Mr. Williams, Nurseryman, of Turnham Green. The only living specimen in Britain, we believe, of this plant, is at present in the Hammersmith collection. As yet no increase has been produced from it, either by cuttings, or seeds; for although the plant flowers every year, and the seeds in the cone, or rather flower-cup, seem perfect, they never vegetate. It is a hardy, and handsome growing Protea, requiring little attention, and may be placed in any part of the green-house; grows about three feet high, very bushy, and flowers near the month of October.

PLATE CCLXXVIII.

MELALEUCA CORONATA.

_Flax-leaved Melaleuca._

CLASS XVIII. ORDER IV.

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

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX quinquefidus, semisuperus. Petala quinque. Filamenta multa longissima, connata in quinque corpora. Pistillum unum. Capsula 3-locularis.

CUP five-cleft, half above. Petals five. Threads numerous, very long, united into five bodies. Pointal 1. Capsule 3-celled.

See MELALEUCA ERICÆFOLIA, Pl. 175. Vol. III.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Melaleuca foliis oppositis, lanceolatis, enerviis, glaberrimis; floribus sessilibus, ad basin ramulorum confertis; filamentis pinnatis, incurvatis, purpureis.

Melaleuca with opposite, lance-shaped leaves, without nerves and very smooth; flowers grow close to the branches, and crowded together at their base; threads winged, turned inward, and purple.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement and Seed-bud.

2. The same, shewn in a front view.

3. A Petal.

4. One of the five bundles of Chives, magnified.

5. The Seed-bud with the shaft remaining, the cup cut off.

This singularly delicate little plant, a native of Botany Bay, was first raised from seeds in this country by Mr. I. Fairbairne of the Physic Gardens, Chelsea, in the year 1792. It is rather more tender than most of the plants we have, as yet, received from thence; requires to be kept in a dry and airy part of the green-house and watered but seldom, in the winter. It grows to the height of about two feet, perfects its seeds, and may be increased by cuttings; should be planted in very sandy peat earth, and kept in a small pot proportionally to its size. Our figure was taken from the branch of a plant, in the conservatory, at the Hammersmith Nursery, in the month of August, 1800.

PLATE CCLXXIX.

XERANTHEMUM FASCICULATUM.

_Var. flore albo._

_Bundle-leaved Everlasting-flower._

_White Var._

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, with a ray; the ray coloured.

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

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Xeranthemum foliis caulinis linearibus, sub-teretibus, fasciculatis, longissimis; floribus solitariis; squamis calycis lanceolatis, albis.

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

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. An Hermaphrodite Floret, with its seed, magnified.

2. A Female Floret, with its seed, magnified.

3. The Pointal from a Female Floret, magnified.

As a fine variety of the Bundle-leaved Everlasting flower, figured in this work, Pl. 242 of this Vol.; we now present this plant to our friends. Tis true, it may be thought by some, at first sight, there is too considerable a degree of similitude in the plants to deserve a particular plate for each; but, upon a nigh investigation, it will be found there exists a stronger marked difference, in the growth of the plants, than, at first, meets the eye; not certainly enough to constitute a specific difference, but undoubtedly a strong variety. The flower stems, in this, grow more straddling; and the long stem-leaves are more dispersed on the upper part of the plant; at the base they nearly resemble each other. We have our figure from the Clapham Collection, to which the plants were introduced at the same time, and through the same channel as the above cited species; seeds of both having been sent from the Cape of Good Hope, by Mr. Niven, in the year 1799. For all that relates to the management of this, we most refer our readers to the figure just alluded to; as its habits, time of flowering, &c. in nothing differ.

PLATE CCLXXX.

PERSOONIA LATIFOLIA.

_Broad-leaved Persoonia._

CLASS IV. ORDER I.

_TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Four Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX nullus. Petala 4, basin versus staminifera. Glandulæ 4 ad basin germinis. Stigma obtusum. Drupa monosperma.

EMPALEMENT none. Petals four, supporting the chives near the base. Four glands at the base of the seed-bud. Summit blunt. A pulpy berry with one seed.

See PERSOONIA LANCEOLATA, Pl. LXXIV. Vol. II.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Persoonia foliis subovatis, utrinque glabris, crassiusculis, uninerviis; petiolis brevibus, tortis.

Persoonia with leaves approaching to inversely-egg-shaped, smooth on both sides, thickish, one-nerved; foot-stalks short and twisted.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Flower.

2. One of the Petals, with its Chive.

3. The Pointal and Seed-bud.

4. The same, magnified.

5. The receptacle, with the four glands at the base of the Seed-bud, magnified.

The very exact conformation of the flower in this, when compared with the other two species of the genus, already figured in this work; is a circumstance but seldom to be found, in plants, where the whole habit is so totally different in each species, as we here find it. This plant, until it flowered, was considered as a species of _Conchium_, (one of the Genera made by Dr. Smith from Banksia,) as nighest in appearance to some species of that Genus. It has flowered, for the first time in England, in the month of October, 1802. The plant being set in the conservatory at the Hammersmith-Nursery, the flowers have continued to succeed each other, progressively, upon the young branches, without intermission, as the shoot grows, from the base of each leaf. It is with great difficulty raised by cuttings; but, from every appearance, seed will be procured in this country; as the seed-buds have already become pretty large, and seeds of the other species have matured with us. It was first raised from seed, communicated by Colonel Paterson, from Port Jackson, New South Wales, in the year 1795. Sandy loam, or a mixture of sandy peat and loam, is the soil it most approves.

PLATE CCLXXXI.

METROSIDERA HIRSUTA.

_Hairy Metrosidera._

CLASS XII. ORDER I.

_ICOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Twenty Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, quinquefidum, semisuperum.

COROLLA. Petala quinque, concava, subsessilia, decidua.

STAMINA longissima, libera, filiformia. Antheræ incumbentes.

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

PERICARPIUM. Capsula campanulata, 3 seu 4 locularis, 3 seu 4 valvis.

SEMINA plurima, rotundato-angulata.

EMPALEMENT. Cup one-leaved, five-cleft, half above.

BLOSSOM. Five petals, concave, nearly sessile, falling off.

CHIVES very long, free, thread-shaped. Tips lying on the threads.

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

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule bell-shaped, 3 or 4 celled, 3 or 4 valved.

SEEDS many, roundedly-angular.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Metrosidera foliis oppositis, basi cordatis, amplexicaulibus; ramulis, pedunculis, calycibusque pilis rubro-fuscis tectis.

Metrosidera with opposite leaves, heart-shaped at the base and embracing the stem; small branches, flower-stems, and flower-cups covered with reddish-brown hairs.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Seed-bud and Cup, divested of the Petals and Chives.

2. One of the segments of the Cup, shewn from the under side.

3. A Chive magnified.

4. A Seed-bud cut transversely.

Although little can be said in favour of the flowers of this plant, yet the singularity of its foliage excites our attention, as very distinct from all its congeners. It grows with us to the height of six or seven feet; at which size, it produces its blossoms. The first plants were raised from seeds in the year 1787 at the garden of the late Dr. Pitcairne at Islington. It is increased by cuttings, after the usual mode made use of for propagating Botany Bay plants; that is to say, by placing the cuttings in the heat of a hot-house, or hot-bed, early in the month of March, till they are rooted. It is a hardy green-house plant when old, but rather delicate when young. Our figure was began from a plant in the Hibbertian collection, which flowered in the month of August, 1800; and finished from one at the Hammersmith Nursery, in November, 1802. A short apology may be thought necessary for our retaining the original mode of terminating the name of this Genus, rather than as it is given by most authors at present. Our plea is that only of priority, and the name under which the plants have been known, in our gardens, these 30 years; since, indeed, Sir J. Banks’s return from the South Seas. A slight mistake we wish likewise to notice, in the etymology of the word Metrosideros, as given by Dr. Martyn in his edition of Miller’s Dictionary; it is there said to be thus derived, Μητρα, medulla, the heart or pith of a tree, and σιδηρος iron; supposing the heart of the trees to possess the hardness, or colour of iron. Now the true idea on which the name of the Genus was founded, is the shape and hardness of the seed-vessel, thus; Μετρον a measure, and σιδηρος iron, as the appearance of the capsule, when ripe, will fully justify.

PLATE CCLXXXII.

GERANIUM SPATHULATUM.

_Var. curviflorum._

_Spatula-leaved Geranium._

_Curled-flowered Var._

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 integerrimis, spathulatis, sub-ciliatis calycibus monophyllis; petalis recurvatis; staminibus quinque fertilibus; radice tuberosa.

Geranium with quite entire leaves, spatula-shaped, slightly fringed; cups one-leaved; petals recurved; five fertile chives, root tuberous.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement magnified.

2. The Chives spread open.

3. The Pointal natural size.

4. The same magnified.

This fine variety of the Spatula-leaved Geranium is, as yet, only to be found, in the Hibbertian collection. Its date in Britain is the same as the G. spathulatum, of this work, plate 152, Vol. III. We should not have considered the curved character of the petals, alone, a sufficient groundwork to constitute, even a variety; but the slight fringe which may be discovered on the leaves of our present plant, and not in the smallest degree to be traced in the other, determined this to be, in our opinion, deserving notice, at least as a variety. For the treatment and culture of the plant, see G. punctatum of the Botanist’s Repository, plate 60, Vol. I. which may well serve for this.

PLATE CCLXXXIII.

POGONIA GLABRA.

_Smooth-leaved Pogonia._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Two Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA monopetala; tubus ad faucem pilosus. Stamina supra medium corollæ inserta. Stigma concavum, declinatum. Nux quadrilocularis.

BLOSSOM one petal; tube hairy at the mouth. Chives inserted into the middle of the blossom. Summit concave, declined. Nut four-celled.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Pogonia foliis eliptico-lanceolatis, glabris; floribus pendulis, minutis, albis.

Pogonia with leaves eliptically lance-shaped, smooth; flowers hanging down, small and white.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, magnified.

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

3. A Chive, magnified.

4. The Pointal and Seed-bud, natural size.

5. The same magnified.

This plant from New Holland, is rather more delicate than most of those we possess from that country; as it is apt to lose its leaves if exposed either to damps, or much cold. It was first raised in the year 1790, by the late Mr. Robertson, of Stockwell; is easily propagated by cuttings, and flowers in January, or February. The other species figured in this work, Plate 212, and our present plant, are the only two yet known of this genus. They require a very light sandy loam, or peat soil, to make them flourish. The P. glabra does not grow more than three feet high and flowers the first year from cuttings. Our figure was taken at the Hammersmith Nursery.

PLATE CCLXXXIV.

CHIOCOCCA RACEMOSA.

_Opposite-leaved Snowberry-tree._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium quinquedentatum, superum, persistens.

COROLLA monopetala, infundibuliformis; tubus longus, patens; limbus quinquepartitus; laciniis æqualibus, acutis, reflexis.

STAMINA. Filamenta quinque, filiformia, longitudine corollæ. Antheræ oblongæ, erectæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen inferum, subrotundum, compressum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine staminum. Stigma simplex, obtusum.

PERICARPIUM. Bacca subrotunda, compressa, coronata calyce, bilocularis.

SEMINA duo, subrotunda, compressa, distantia.

EMPALEMENT. Cup five-toothed, above and remaining.

BLOSSOM one petal, funnel-shaped; tube long, spreading; border five divided; segments equal, pointed and reflexed.

CHIVES. Five threads, hair-like, the length of the blossom. Tips oblong, upright.

POINTAL. Seed-bud beneath, roundish, flattened. Shaft thread-shaped, the length of the chives. Summit simple, blunt.

SEED-VESSEL. A roundish berry, flattened, crowned with the permanent cup, two-celled.

SEEDS two, roundish, flattened, and at a distance from each other.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Chiococca foliis oppositis, ovatis, acuminatis; ramis horizontalibus; floribus racemosis, pendulis.

Snowberry-tree with opposite leaves, egg-shaped, tapered; branches grow horizontal; flowers grow in bunches hanging down.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, natural size.

2. The same, magnified.

3. A Flower.

4. The Chives and Pointal, natural size.

5. The same magnified.

The Snowberry-tree is a native of Jamaica, and some of the other West India islands; requiring the temperature of the hothouse to preserve it; growing to the height of four or five feet; but the stem being too weak to support itself, must be assisted. It is propagated by cuttings, and delights in a rich soil. We are informed in Miller’s Dictionary, treating of this plant, that it was introduced to us, in the year 1729, by Mr. Warner, of London; and that it was cultivated, in the garden of Mr. Sherard, at Eltham, about that time. The root of this plant is used medicinally, and has a very bitter, acrid taste. It is a very free blowing plant, flowering the first year from the cuttings; but never produces its fine white berries in this country, which constitute its greatest beauty, and whence its generic title. Our figure was made from a plant in the Hammersmith Collection. Flowers in September.

PLATE CCLXXXV.

FERRARIA VIRIDIFLORA.

_Green-flowered Ferraria._

CLASS XVI. ORDER I.

_MONADELPHIA TRIANDRIA._ Threads united. Three Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

MONOGYNA. Spathæ unifloræ.

PETALA sex, undulato-crispata. Stigmata cucullata. Capsula 3-locularis, infera.

ONE POINTAL. Sheaths one-flowered.

PETALS six, waved and crisped. Summits cowled. Capsule three-celled beneath.

See FERRARIA PAVONIA, Pl. CLXXVIII. Vol. III.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ferraria foliis distichis, vaginantibus, costatis; petalis lanceolatis æqualibus, interioribus immaculatis, angustioribus, virescentibus.

Ferraria with leaves pointing opposite ways sheathing the stem and ribbed; petals lance-shaped, equal, the inner ones without spots, narrower and greenish.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Seed-bud, Chives and Pointal.

2. One of the Chives, a little magnified, as seen from the inside.

3. The same seen from the outside.

4. The Seed-bud, Shaft and Summits, the Chives removed.

5. One of the Summits magnified.

Our figure represents the Moræa Ferrariola of Jacquin’s Collectanea 4. p. 141; but, as we conceive Ferraria a good, and distinct genus, we have not followed either him, or Thunberg, who has likewise thrown these plants to Moræa. At first sight we did not think this plant possessed of sufficient distinctive character to be treated as a different species from the F. undulata; but upon closer inspection found it to vary nearly in every part; in the shape of the flower, the leaves and the root. The singular character of this, and the other Cape Ferrarias, of making but one growth in two, and sometimes three years; is hardly to be traced in any other plants, but constantly so in these. They produce their flowers about July, the season of their flowering; the flowers are as transitory as those of the F. pavonia; that is to say, the duration of about six hours. Our figure was taken from a plant in the Hibbertian Collection, which flowered in the month of July 1802. The Ferrarias all propagate by the root; and should be planted in sandy peat mixed with a small portion of loam.

PLATE CCLXXXVI.

HIBISCUS PATERSONIUS.

_Norfolk Island Hibiscus._

CLASS XVI. ORDER VI.

_MONADELPHIA POLYANDRIA._ Threads united. Many Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX duplex; exterior polyphyllus. Stigmata 5. Capsula 5-locularis, polysperma.

EMPALEMENT double; outer one many-leaved. Five Summits. Capsule five-celled, many-seeded.

See HIBISCUS MUTABILIS, Pl. CCXXVIII. Vol. IV.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Hibiscus foliis acuminato-lanceolatis, coriaceis, supra punctatis, subtus tomentosis: floribus axillaribus; calycibus monophyllis, quinquedentatis.

Hibiscus with tapering lance-shaped leaves, leathery, dotted above and downy underneath; flowers grow from the insertion of the leaves; cups one-leaved, five-toothed.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Cup with its foot-stalk.

2. The columnar part of the Chives cut open, the pointal taken away.

3. The Pointal.

4. A skinny membrane, which surrounds the seed-bud at the base.

5. A ripe capsule, with the enlarged cup attached.

6. The same, cut through the middle horizontally.

7. A ripe seed.

The Norfolk Island Hibiscus is a tender greenhouse plant; was introduced to Britain, in the year 1792, having been raised from seeds communicated by Col. Paterson, then stationed on that Island. It attains the height of 13 feet, or more, becoming a small tree; may be increased readily from cuttings, and should be planted in a mixture of loam and sandy peat. Our figure is from a specimen received from the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Courtenay, in whose collection at Powderham, near Exeter, it flowered for the first time in the year 1800; and where also the seeds ripened.

We have no doubt but this plant belongs to the Genus Lagunæa, of Schreber; but as he proposes himself, and as L’Heritier as justly observes, the simplicity of the cup is not a sufficient ground, on which to found a new genus; so we have rather given our present subject, the name under which it is in general known, than adopt a title for it which is acknowledged by the author, as rather unwarrantable.

PLATE CCLXXXVII.

STYPHELIA PARVIFLORA.

_Small-flowered Styphelia._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX imbricatus. Corolla tubulosa.

STAMINA fauci inserta. Drupa quinquelocularis. Semina bina.

EMPALEMENT tiled. Blossom tubular.

CHIVES inserted into the mouth of the blossom. A five celled berry. Seeds by twos.

See STYPHELIA TRIFLORA, Pl. LXXII. Vol. I.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Styphelia foliis lanceolatis, oppositis; floribus capitatis terminalibus; corollis minutis, albis.

Styphelia with lance-shaped, opposite leaves; flowers terminate the branches in heads; blossom small and white.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement magnified.

2. A Flower, natural size.

3. The same, magnified.

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

5. The Pointal, natural size.

6. The same, magnified.

This Styphelia, as are all the known species of the genus, is a native of New Holland, and was amongst the first plants which were raised from seeds from that country. It is a hardy greenhouse plant; grows very bushy, handsome in its foliage, and seldom exceeds two feet in height. It is propagated by cuttings, made from the tender shoots, about the month of April; and treated as directed for other plants natives of the same clime. Should be planted in sandy peat earth.

Our figure was taken from a specimen communicated by Mr. Cuff, from his select collection at Teddington, Middlesex; where it flowered, we believe, for the first time in England, last year, in the month of August, 1802.

PLATE CCLXXXVIII.

PROTEA CYNAROIDES.

_Artichoke-like-flowered Protea._

CLASS IV. ORDER I.

_TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Four Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA quadrifida seu quadripetala. Antheræ lineares, insertæ petalis infra apicem. Calyx proprius nullus.

SEMINA solitaria.

BLOSSOM four-cleft or four petals. Tips linear, inserted into the petals below the point. Empalement proper none.

SEEDS solitary.

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

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Protea foliis suborbiculatis, glaberrimis; petiolis longissimis; squamulis calycinis lanceolatis, apice carinatis.

Protea with nearly orbicular leaves, and very smooth; footstalks very long; scales of the cup lance-shaped, keeled at the point.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Floret spread open, with the Chives in their places.

2. The Pointal and Seed-bud.

To the Right Hon. the Earl of Coventry we are indebted for the figure of this superb plant; it having flowered in his Lordship’s rich, and extensive collection at Croome, Worcestershire, this present February, 1803, for the first time, in England; his Lordship did us the favour to order the flower to be cut, and sent to London; where it arrived, without the least injury, and continued in perfection many days.

The magnificence of this species of Protea, can be but poorly expressed within the limited bounds of our publication; we have, nevertheless, endeavoured to do it all the justice within our grasp. A considerable part of the lustre of the flower is lost, from the small portion of the leaves which could be introduced; as the contrasted beauty of the fine broad shining leaves, which form, as it were, a nidus, or ground wood for the blossom, contribute, so much, to heighten the beauty of the whole.

The Protea cynaroides is a hardy greenhouse plant, was introduced to Britain, in 1792, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, from the Cape of Good Hope. May be increased by cuttings, taken off the lower part of the plant; where they shoot out in clusters to the length of an inch or more, and must be treated as has already been directed for Proteas in general. The plant, even at the Cape, seldom grows higher than 18 inches, or two feet.

INDEX

TO THE PLANTS CONTAINED IN VOL. III.

ERRATA.

Plate 153, Order, dele _polygamia_.
163, Sp. Ch. lin. 2, genetalibus, lege, _genitalibus_.
171, Sp. Ch. lin. 2, longiore, lege, _longior_.
175, Sp. Ch. lin. 2, enerviis, lege, _enervis_.
Ref. lin. 1, for, one which, read, _one of which_.
184, Gen. Ch. Nect. lin. 1, exterium, lege,
_exterius_. Lin. 4, interium, lege, _interius_.
188, Sp. Ch. lin. 2, longior, lege, _longiore_.
189, Sp. Ch. lin. 1, for, without, read, _with_.
191, Gen. Ch. Stam. lin. 3, assurentia, lege, _assurgentia_.
197, Gen. Ch. Corol. lin. 1, quindecem, lege, _quindecim_.
200, Sp. Ch. lin. 2, uninerviis, lege, _uninervis_.
202, Gen. Ch. Stam. lin. 2, octodecem, lege, _octodecim_.
206, Order, for Pointals, read, _Pointal_.
Gen. Ch. Pist. lin. 2, staminium, lege, _staminum_.
207, Sp. Ch. lin. 1, post, integris, ins. (,)
210, Sp. Ch. lin. 2, corolla, lege, _corollæ_.

INDEX

TO THE PLANTS CONTAINED IN VOL. IV.

ERRATA.

Plate 217, Passiflora maliformis. For Plate CCVII, put, CCXVII.
218, To No. 1 and 2 of the reference to the plate, add, _magnified_.
226, Gen. Char. Chives, line 4, for, fixed on side, read,
_fixed on each side_.
233, For, Order I, read, Order III, for monygynia, read,
_trigyma_, and for One Pointal,
read, Three Pointals. Blossom, after claws put a comma.
235, English name. For, two coloured leaved, read,
_two-coloured-leaved_.
243, Char. Spec, line 2, dele (,) post _longitudine_.
257, Gen. Char. Pist. Pro Germen, lege, _Germina_.
270, Specific Char, line 3, for flower head, read, _flower-head_.
276, Gen. Char. Corolla. Post obovata pone comma.
282, Geranium spathulatum, for, Plate CCLXX, put, CCLXXXII.

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