Chapter I: Part 1

_Vol. VI._

_of the_

Botanists Repository

_Comprising,
Colour’d Engravings_

of

_New and Rare Plants_

ONLY

With Botanical Descriptions _&c._

----_in_----

_Latin and English,
after the_

Linnæan System,

_by
H. Andrews
Botanical Painter Engraver &c._

Mo. Bot. Garden.
1904.
]

PLATE CCCLXI.

SANSEVIERA CARNEA.

_Flesh-coloured Sanseviera._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA infera monopetala, tubo filiformi, limbo, 6-partito, revoluto. Stamina limbo inserta. Bacca 1-sperma.

COROLLA beneath of one petal, with a thread-shaped tube, and 6-parted revolute limb. Threads inserted into the limb. Berry one seeded.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

Sanseviera. Foliis distichis, lanceolato-ensiformibus, carinatis, floribus solitariis sessilibus.

Sanseviera. With leaves two-ranked, lance-sword shaped, keeled, flowers solitary, sessile.

DESCRIPTIO. Herba perennis, habitu Hemerocallidis. _Radix_ subcarnosus, fibris longissimis subsimplicibus. _Folia_ radicalia, subdisticha, effusa, lanceolato-ensiformia, fere pedalia, trinervia, (nervo medio carinæformi) basin imbricata et profunde caniliculata, marginibus apices versus asperiusculis. _Scapus_ radicalis, et quasi lateralis, palmaris, suberectus, angulatus, superne carneus. _Flores_ spicati, ascendentes, sessiles, alterni, carnei, intus pallidiores. _Bracteæ_ ovato-acuminatæ, concavæ, carneæ, flores amplectentes. _Corolla_ 6-partita, tubo angulato longitudine bractearum; laciniis revolutis sublanceolatis, tubo aliquo longioribus, supremâ paulo majore. _Filamenta_ 6 æqualia, alba, basi laciniarum inserta, laciniis aliquo brevioribus. _Antheræ_ erectæ, utrinque emarginatæ, sulphureæ. _Stylus_ carneus, paulo declinatus, antheris vix superans. _Stigma_ obtusum album, obsoletissime trilobatum.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A floral leaf.

2. The flower cut open, with one of the tips magnified.

3. The Pointal and Seed-bud, and the summit magnified.

This new species, of Thunberg’s new genus Sanseviera, which is a branch of the Linnæan genus Aletris; was introduced into this country from China, by T. Evans, Esq. of Stepney; in the year 1792: but is still very rare. Our drawing was made from a fine plant in the collection of J. Vere, Esq. of Kensington Gore, in the month of March[A]. Mr. Anderson, his botanic gardener, informs us, he has treated it as a hothouse plant; but it will probably be found to succeed better in the greenhouse, like other Chinese plants. It is propagated by parting the roots. In habit it resembles Hemerocallis more than Sanseviera, but agrees with the generical characters of Sanseviera zeylanica. With Aletris fragrans it also agrees in many particulars; but with Aletris farinosa is quite at variance.

[A] A root of it, (lately parted from the individual here figured,) flowered at Messrs. Grimwood and Wykes’s, in February.

PLATE CCCLXII.

CROCUS BIFLORUS.

_Yellow-bottomed White Crocus._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA, supera, 6-partita, subæqualis, erecto-patula, tubo longissimo subterraneo.

COROLLA, above, 6-parted, nearly equal, erect-expanding, with a very long subterraneous tube.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

Crocus, foliis angustissimis effusis floribus semper longe superantibus.

Crocus, with very narrow diffused leaves, which are always much higher than the flowers.

DESCRIPTIO. _Radix_ tunicis glabris cochleariformibus. _Folia_, tempore florendi, longissima omnium, magisque effusa. _Spathæ_ sæpe 2-floræ, ut in plurimis. _Flores_ vernales, albæ, magnæ; fundo intus sordide flavo, extus aliquo olivaceo; tubo pergracili, depilato; petalis 3 exterioribus, extus tincturâ flavedinis, et purpureo elegantissime plumoso-striatis. _Filamenta antheræque_ erectæ, luteæ. _Stylus_ percroceus. _Stigmata_ itidem percrocea, antheris vix superantia. _Haworth’s Crocus inedit._

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The outer sheath of the flower.

2. The inner.

3. The flower cut open.

This beautiful Crocus is unquestionably distinct as a species, and has never been noticed by any systematic writer except Miller; who has described it accurately under the name of _biflorus_, in the 8th edition of his celebrated Dictionary. It is very hardy, flowers early in February, and may be readily distinguished from other Crocuses by its leaves being much longer than the flowers, at the time of flowering. When the sun shines strong, the flowers have a just perceptible fragrant scent; a circumstance very unusual in this genus; all the other species, (one we call _fragrans_ excepted) having more or less of an unpleasant smell. It seldom produces seeds in this country, or varies in colour; but increases by the root.

PLATE CCCLXIII.

POLYGALA STIPULACEA.

_Stipuled Milkwort._

CLASS XVII. ORDER III.

_DIADELPHIA OCTANDRIA._ Two Brotherhoods. Eight Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX 5-phyllus: foliolis duobus alæformibus, coloratis. Legumen obcordatura, biloculare.

CUP 5-leaved, with two of the leaves like wings, coloured. Pod inverse heart-shaped, two-celled.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

Polygala. Floribus imberbibus lateralibus, caule suffruticoso, foliis ternis linearibus acutis. _Willd._ _Sp. pl. 892._

Polygala. With beardless lateral flowers, a shrubby stem, and ternate, linear, acute leaves.

DESCRIPTIO. _Suffrutex_, ramulis subdivaricatis, filiformibus, elongatis, pubescentibus. _Folia_ fasciculata, linearia, obsolete mucronata, 3-6 in singulo fasciculo; infimo latiore, breviore, stipuliforme. _Flores_ P. Heisteriæ, at minores, axillares, solitarii, vel subinde binati; sessiles.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement.

2. The same magnified.

3. The Keel magnified.

4. One of the wings.

5. The same magnified.

6. The Chives.

7. The same magnified.

8. The Pointal magnified.

A rare Cape species recently introduced to the Hibbertian Collection, where our drawing was taken last summer. It is a greenhouse shrub of the more delicate kind; and is propagated, but not very readily, by cuttings.

In the structure of the flowers this species agrees exactly with the common Polygala Heisteria, which Linnæus originally made a distinct genus from Polygala; but afterwards united them. In keeping them distinct we think he did right; but wrong in uniting them. Our readers will have an opportunity of judging for themselves in our next number, in which will be figured a true Polygala, and another of the Heisteria family; with proper dissections of each.

Heisteria was named by Linnæus in honour of the celebrated German surgeon Heister.

PLATE CCCLXIV.

IRIS PAVONIA.

_The Peacock-Iris._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA 6-partita: laciniis alternis reflexis. Stigmata petaliformia.

COROLLA 6-parted: with the alternate segments reflexed. The stigmas petal-shaped.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

Iris. Imberbis, folio lineari glabro, scapo sub-unifloro.

Iris. Beardless, with a linear smooth leaf, and a usually one-flowered stem.

IRIS _Pavonia_ Willd. Sp. Pl. I. 238.

_Jacq. Coll. Sup. p. 8, Descriptione optimâ._

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The outer Sheath of the Flower.

2. The inner one.

3 The Seed-bud, Chives and Pointal as they stand in the Flower.

4. The Chives spread open.

5. The Pointal.

This splendid but fugitive plant, is strikingly emblematic of the short duration of superior beauty: its flower is but the transient object of a day; and its whole life in Europe seldom exceeds a single year!

The Peacock-Iris, notwithstanding its attractions, is but imperfectly understood by the Botanists and Horticulturists of this country; for while the latter have been unsuccessful in cultivating it: some of the former have privately considered it as a new Genus: some have referred it to Iris, Morea, or Ferraria; others with more propriety to De la Roche’s Genus Vieusseuxia; and the usually accurate Curtis mistook and figured the widely-different Iris tricuspis for it.

The English Gardens have several times possessed this charming species, but we are afraid it is at present entirely lost to them. Our figure therefore, taken from the Hibbertian collection some time since, cannot fail to be highly acceptable to all lovers of plants.

In root Iris Pavonia resembles other Cape Irides; but the varying lustres of its brilliant flowers are seldom equalled; and not much excelled by any plant we ever saw. It is a native of the Cape, flowers early in Spring; and must be treated like the other bulbous species from that country.

PLATE CCCLXV.

SCILLA SIBERICA.

_Siberian Squill._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA 6-petala, patens, decidua. Filamenta filiformia.

COROLLA 6 petaled, expanding, deciduous. Filaments thread-shaped.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

Scilla, tetraphylla, scapis plurimis semiteretibus, striatis, bifloris, post florescentiam decumbentibus.

Scilla, four-leaved, with many semicylindrical, scored, two-flowered stalks, which after flowering are decumbent.

DESCRIPTIO. _Radix_ bulbosus, magnus pro ratione magnitudinis plantæ. _Folia_ in bulbis senectis, sæpius 4, latiuscula, aliquo striatula, parum recurvata, apice obcuneata et subinvoluta. _Scapi_ 3-5: 1-2, vel rarissime 3-flori, inæquales, semicylindrici, valde striati, lucidi, vix palmares, superne atro-cærulescentes. _Pedunculi_ alterni, remoti, difformes, 1-6 lineares, basi bibracteati, erecti, apice nutantes, vel cernui, uniflori, atro-cærulescentes. _Bracteæ_ difformes, parvulæ, inferne purpurascentes, superne albæ et membranaceæ. _Corolla_ hexapetala, nutans, vel cernua, campanulata. _Petala_ sublanceolata, obtusa, concavo-incurva, lætissime cærulea; intus pallidiora, basi albicantia, costâ utrinque saturatiore. _Filamenta_ 6, filiformia, compressa, alba, superne profunde cærulea, petalis duplo breviora. _Antheræ_ majusculæ æruginosa. _Germen_ pallidum, subrotundum, 6-sulcatum, sulcis alternis profundioribus. _Stylus_ antheris superans, decumbens, basi albus, superne azureus. _Stigma_ obsoletissimum.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Flower spread open, with one Chive magnified.

2. The Pointal and Seed-bud, the Summit magnified.

This nondescript and beautiful species of the genus Scilla, is allied to Scilla præcox of Willdenow; but appears to differ in too many particulars, to admit of their being united. It is a native of Siberia, increases slowly by the root, but sometimes ripens seeds in this country. It commences flowering in the beginning of February, before the common Scilla bifolia; but continues in beauty long after that plant is past; and although perfectly hardy, its flowers are liable to be injured by strong frosts, unless occasionally protected.

It thrives well in a light soil, and warm situation; but, like all dwarf plants, appears to most advantage in a pot: and indeed, succeeds best with the treatment usually given to alpine plants.

PLATE CCCLXVI.

GERANIUM BARBATUM. _Var. Undulatum._

_Bearded-leaved Geranium._ _Var. Waved-petalled._

CLASS XVI. ORDER IV.

_MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA._ Threads united. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

MONOGYNA. Stigmata quinque. Fructus rostratus, pentacoccus.

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

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

Geranium. Foliis pinnatis, incisuris pinnarum aristatis barbatisque, petalis omnibus flavicantibus, rubro-notatis undulatisque.

Geranium. With winged leaves, the segments aristated and bearded, all the petals yellowish, marked with red, and undulated.

DESCRIPTIO. Pinnæ foliorum inæqualiter incisæ, incissuris acuminatis, barbatisque. _Scapus_ ramosus. _Flores_ umbellati. _Petala_ omnia linearia, obtusa, elongata, recurvata, valde undulata, flavicantia. basi fere ad medium lætissime rubra. Stamina fertilia quinque.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement.

2. The Chives and Pointal.

3. The same magnified.

4. The Pointal magnified.

This plant was sent from the Cape to the collection of George Hibbert, Esq. at Clapham, where our drawing was taken in September; it is no more than a variety, although a very beautiful one, of the Geranium barbatum of this work, of which one variety has already been figured on plate 323. It is a green-house plant, and requires the same treatment as the other tuberous rooted species.

PLATE CCCLXVII.

ANAGALLIS GRANDIFLORA.

_Great-flowered Pimpernel._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CAPSULA 1-locularis, circumscissa. _Corolla_ rotata. _Stamina_ hirsuta. _Stigma_ capitatum.

CAPSULE one-celled, cut round. _Corolla_ wheel-shaped. _Chives_ hairy. _Summit_ headed.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &c.

ANAGALLIS, foliis ternatis cordato-ovatis acuminatis.

ANAGALLIS, with leaves in threes heart-egg-shaped acuminated.

DESCRIPTIO. _Radix_ annua. _Rami_ elongati, effusi, procumbentes, angulati, superne simplices. _Folia_ ternatim verticillata, remota, elliptica, acuminata, amplexicaulia, utrinque 3-5-lineata. _Pedunculi_ ternatim verticillati, axillares, filiformes, primo patuli, demum sæpe recurvi, foliis duplo longiores. _Calyx_ 4-rarius 5-phyllus, foliolis lanceolatis, acuminatis, carinatis, marginibus membranaceis. _Corolla_ 5-rarius 4-petala, petalis basi confluentibus, patulis, orbiculatis, coccineis, basi intus nigris. _Filamenta_ 5 hirsuta, atro-purpurascentia, petalis multo breviora. _Germen_ pallidum. _Stylus_ pergracilis purpureus antheras luteas superans. _Stigma_ simplex, capitulatum, viride.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A peduncle and calyx.

2. The corolla spread open.

3. The seed-bud and pointal, and summit magnified.

This new and elegant species of Anagallis, the largest and most showy of that genus hitherto discovered, was introduced into England, we believe, in the last year; but by whom, or from what country, we have not yet satisfactorily ascertained. It is reported to be of African origin, and to have come to England from the Paris garden. Our figure was made from a plant trained up near three feet high, in Lady De Clifford’s collection at Paddington, where it is treated as a green-house plant. We have not yet seen it produce good seeds, although apparently an annual plant; but it is easily increased by cuttings in the usual way. In every thing except size, and in having more entire petals, it very much resembles Anagallis arvensis; a plant truly remarkable for being the only one indigenous to Britain (the Poppies excepted) with scarlet flowers.

PLATE CCCLXVIII.

MELANTHIUM MASSONIÆFOLIUM.

_Massonia-leaved Melanthium._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA TRIGYNIA._ Six Chives. Three Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX 0. _Corolla_ infera, 6-petala, petalis staminiferis.

NO CALYX. _Corolla_ beneath, 6-petalled, with the petals staminiferous.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

MELANTHIUM, foliis subrotundis prostratis sulcato-striatis, floribus spicatis.

MELANTHIUM, with roundish prostrate sulcato-striated leaves, and spiked flowers.

DESCRIPTIO. _Folia_ duo humi appressa, subrotunda, viridia, acumine obsoleto recurvato, striisque sulcatis parallelis circiter 12; subtus glabra pallidiora. _Flores_ in spica perbracteata ut in Eucomide. _Scapus_ clavatus teres. _Bracteæ_ ovato-acuminatæ, magnæ; superiores paulo minores. _Flores_ sessiles, bracteis multoties breviores, virides. _Corolla_ hexapetaloidea, vix aperta, petalis sublanceolatis, obtusis, erectis, apicem versus incurvis. _Filamenta_ brevissima, compressa, collo corollæ imposita, basi confluentia. _Antheræ_ erectæ obsoletæ. _Germen_ alato-triangulare, desinens in stylos 3 obsoletissimos, subulatos, et fere adnatos.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A floral leaf.

2. The corolla cut open.

3. A back view of the same.

4. The seed-bud and obsolete styles.

This singular plant appears to us to be a new, but somewhat anomalous species of the Genus Melanthium; which, as it at present stands, unquestionably contains several Genera. It is a native of the Cape, and a Green-house plant; and prior to flowering possesses altogether the appearance of a Massonia, and thrives very well with the treatment of one. Our drawing of it was taken from fine plants in the Hibbertian collection in the month of March.

PLATE CCCLXIX.

EUCOMIS PURPUREOCAULIS.

_Purple-stalked Eucomis._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA infera, 6-partita, persistens. Filamenta nectario adnata.

COROLLA beneath, 6-parted, persistent. Chives conjoined to the base of the corolla, forming a nectary.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

EUCOMIS, scapo clavato, foliis multifariis expansis orbiculato-spatulatis.

EUCOMIS, with a clavated scape, leaves pointing many ways expanded orbicular-spatula-shaped.

DESCRIPTIO. _Radix_ ut in affinibus. _Folia_ 5-7, multifaria, expansa, demum prostrata, orbiculato-spatulata, vel subinde multo angustiora, viridia, obsolete sulcato-lineata et lucida, marginibus minute cartilagineis, glabriusculis; subtus pallidiora, lucidiora, magisque sulcata. _Scapus_ claviformis, perbrevis, crassus, atro-purpureus; intra flores valde contractus, viridis, purpureoque punctatus. _Flores_ spicati, conferti, sessiles, sæpe adscendentes, unibracteati. _Bracteæ_ imæ obcuneatæ, subrecurvæ, submembranaceæ, et sæpe purpurascentes; sensim minores; summæ longiores, lineari-lanceolatæ, purpureo-marginatæ, steriles; in coronam foliolorum perelegantem supra flores collectæ. _Corolla_ hexapetaloidea, petalis subæqualibus, lineari-oblongis, vix attenuatis, viridibus. _Filamenta_ 6, basi petalorum valde connata, subulata, compressa; superne incurvata. _Antheræ_ flavescentes; post florescentiam fuscæ, pendulæ, ad apices petalorum vix attingentes. _Germen_ sulcato-triangulare. _Stylus_ flexuoso-adscendens, teres, vix subulatus, filamentis multo brevior. _Stigma_ nullum sive inconspicuum.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. One of the lower floral leaves.

2. The corolla cut open.

3. The seed-bud and pointal.

We find no account of this fine plant in any publication we have consulted: it is closely allied to Eucomis regia, but differs sufficiently from that species in the shape of its leaves, and the smoothness of their margins. It is a green-house plant, and was lately introduced from the Cape by G. Hibbert, Esq. from a plant in whose collection our drawing was taken in the month of March.

PLATE CCCLXX.

POLYGALA TERETIFOLIA.

_Cylindric-leaved Milkwort._

CLASS XVII. ORDER III.

_DIADELPHIA OCTANDRIA._ Two Brotherhoods. Eight Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX 5-phyllus; foliolis duobus alæformibus, coloratis. Legumen obcordatum, biloculare.

CUP 5-leaved; with two of the leaves like wings, coloured. Pod inverse heart-shaped, two-celled.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

POLYGALA, floribus cristatis, racemis terminalibus paucifloris, alis calycinis ovatis acutiusculis multinerviis, caule fruticoso, foliis lineari-subulatis. _Willd. Sp. Pl. 882._

POLYGALA, with cristated flowers, racemes terminal few-flowered, calyx-wings ovate acutish many-nerved, shrubby stem, and linear-awl-shaped leaves.

DESCRIPTIO. Ramuli filiformes, patuli, canescentes. _Folia_ sparsa, sæpe conferta, recurva, et falcata, linearia, obtusa, marginibus revolutis, ut in Erica; supra canescentia: subtus cana. _Racemi_ 2-5 flori. _Pedunculi_ pubescentes.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A leaf.

2. The under surface of the same magnified.

3. The exterior part of the cup.

4. One of the wing-like leaves of the cup, outside.

5. The same inside.

6. The chives, keel and banner spread open.

7. The keel and its crest detached.

8. The same magnified.

9. The chives and banner.

10. The same magnified.

11. The seed-bud and pointal.

12. The same magnified.

Our plate represents the true species of Polygala, which we promised in our account of P. stipulacea. It is a green-house shrub, and rather delicate; yet may, with care, be propagated by cuttings; but is at present very scarce in this country. Its native country is the Cape. Our drawing was taken from a plant in the Clapham collection in the summer of 1803.

PLATE CCCLXXI.

POLYGALA ALOPECUROIDES.

_Fox-tail Milkwort._

CLASS XVII. ORDER III.

_DIADELPHIA OCTANDRIA._ Two Brotherhoods. Eight Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX 5-phyllus, foliolis duobus alæformibus, coloratis. Legumen obcordatum, biloculare.

CUP 5-leaved, with two of the leaves like wings, coloured. Pod inverse heart-shaped, two-celled.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

POLYGALA, floribus imberbibus, pedanculis solitariis axillaribus, foliis fasciculatis ovatis mucronatis margine ciliatis. _Willd. Sp. Pl. 890._

P. floribus imberbibus lateralibus, foliis fasciculatis lanceolatis mucronatis villosis. _Thunb. Prod. 121._

POLYGALA, with flowers beardless, peduncles solitary axillary, leaves fascicled egg-shaped mucronated and ciliated on the margin.

P. with flowers beardless lateral, leaves fasciculated lance-shaped mucronated and villose.

DESCRIPTIO. _Suffrutex_ elegans, ramulis hirtis. _Folia_ valde conferta, fasciculata, pone medium recurva, 5-6 in singulo fasciculo, infimo majore, latiore, stipuliforme; omnia lineari-lanceolata, mucronata, hirta, ad margines valde ciliata. _Flores_ axillares, sessiles, solitarii, minuti, purpurascentes, serrulati.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement magnified.

2. The keel magnified.

3. One of the wings magnified.

4. The chives and pointal magnified.

5. The pointal detached and magnified.

This is the Polygala of the Heisteria family, which we last month engaged to lay before our readers. They will now have an opportunity, from our copious dissections of the flowers, of judging of the great and numerous generical differences which exist between a genuine Polygala and the discarded genus Heisteria. All the Heisteriæ we have yet had an opportunity of examining are heptandrous; all the true Polygalæ octandrous: but these are the least of their distinctions.

The Fox-tail Milkwort is a very elegant shrub of the green-house kind, and is often in flower. It was recently raised from Cape seeds in the Clapham collection, and is at present, we believe, in no other: thrives well in a mixture of bog earth and loam, and is capable of propagation by cuttings.

PLATE CCCLXXII.

MIMOSA PURPUREA.

_Soldier Bush Mimosa._

CLASS XXIII. ORDER I.

_POLYGAMIA MONOECIA._ Various Dispositions. Upon one Plant.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

HERMAPH. Calyx 5-dentatus. Cor. 5-fida. Stam. 5 seu plura. Pist. 1. Legumen.

Mascul. Calyx 5-dentatus, Cor. 5-fida. Stam. 5-1O, plura.

HERMAPH. Cup 5-toothed. Blos. 5-cleft. Chives 5 or more. Pointal one. A Pod.

Male. Cup 5-toothed. Blos. 5-cleft. Chives, 5, 10, or more.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

MIMOSA, inermis, foliis conjugatis pinnatis, foliolis intimis minoribus. _Linn. Sp. Pl. ed. 3. p. 1500._

M. foliis tergeminis. _Plum. Ic. t. 10. f. 2._

MIMOSA, unarmed, with leaves conjugate prinnate, and the inner leaflets smaller.

M. with leaves three times twinned.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A single flower.

2. The cup.

3. The blossom.

4. The seed-bud and pointal.

The Mimosa purpurea is a native of the West Indies, and is there known by the expressive appellation of Soldier Bush; from the plants being sometimes almost covered with their bright red-purple flowers, in which state it is said they are visible, and even cognizable, on the sides of hills, at the distance of a mile.

The Soldier Bush in this country must be treated as a tender hot-house shrub, and kept constantly in the tan-bed, planted in rich earth. It is a plant of handsome growth and foliage; but its charming flowers are so very rare, that we do not recollect seeing any of them except those which are here represented, from a plant which flowered in March last, in the collection of Mrs. Wright at Bayswater. It is propagated by cuttings in the usual way.

PLATE CCCLXXIII.

PÆONIA SUFFRUTICOSA.

_Shrubby Pæony._

CLASS XIII. ORDER V.

_POLYANDRIA PENTAGYNIA._ Many Chives. Five Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX 5-phyllus. Petala 5. Styli 0. Capsulæ polyspermæ.

CUP 5-leaved. Petals 5. Pointal none. Capsules many-seeded.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

PÆONIA, foliolis subtus glaucis et villosis, capsulis sericeis, caule suffruticoso.

PÆONY, with leaflets glaucous and villose beneath, capsules silky, and shrubby stem.

PÆONIA officinalis. _Thunb. Fl. Jap. 230._--_Loureir. Fl. Cochin. 1. 343._

DESCRIPTIO. Suffrutex 3-pedalis et ultra, ramosus. _Rami_ erectiusculi, cortice subfusco; ramulis erectis lævibus, apicem versus viridibus, pauloque pubescentibus. _Folia_ alterna, bipinnata, pedalia et ultra, horizontalia; superiora adscendentia; petiolis amplexicaulibus, canaliculatis, villis perpaucis sæpe instructis, canaliculâ, petiolorum semper lætissime roseâ; pinnæ 2-4, petiolatæ; pinnulæ sæpe 3, sessiles, infimæ oppositæ, tertia terminalis; omnes basi oblique cuneatæ, superne irregulariter inciso-dentatæ; supra virides, venosæ, nudæ, subtus glaucæ, nervosæ, villosæ. _Flores_ speciosissimi ut in affinibus, sed in nostris exemplaribus pleni, rosei. _Capsulæ_ sericeo-pubescentes.

The Pæonia suffruticosa is perhaps the most showy and desirable species, in this short but magnificent genus of plants. To the striking peculiarity of a shrubby stem, it unites the advantages of superior size; a profusion of very large flowers; and a facility of culture which ensures an annual succession of them: no wonder, therefore, that it is assiduously sought after by all who admire the beauties of Flora.

The shrubby Pæony was introduced into Britain in the year 1794, from China; where, as well as in Japan, many varieties of it are said to be common in almost every garden. We conceive it to be extremely distinct as a species, from the P. officinalis of all authors except Thunberg and Loureiro: yet Professor Willdenow has not enumerated it in his edition of Species Plantarum. Although introduced so long since, it is still rare; and must be treated as a very hardy green-house plant: indeed it succeeds best when planted in the earth and protected by a glass case; is propagated by slipping the roots, and by cuttings. All the plants hitherto received from China have double flowers; and among them there are two varieties; the rosy one here figured, from the Clapham collection; and another with purplish petals, the bases of which are of a still deeper colour. Flowers in April, making a very fine appearance; but is nearly scentless.

PLATE CCCLXXIV.

XERANTHEMUM PROLIFERUM.

_Proliferous Eternal Flower._

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

_SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA._ Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

RECEPTACULUM paleaceum, aut nudum. Pappus setaceus. Calyx imbricatus, radiatus; radio colorato.

RECEPTACLE chaffy, or naked. Feather bristly. Empalement tiled, rayed; the ray coloured.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

XERANTHEMUM, caule fruticoso prolifero, floribus sessilibus, foliis granulato-subrotundis imbricatis obsoletis.

XERANTHEMUM, with a shrubby proliferous stem, sessile flowers, leaves grain-shaped roundish tiled and obsolete.

XERANTHEMUM proliferum. _Mant. Pl. 467._--_Gmel. Syst. Nat. 2. 1218._

DESCRIPTIO. Frutex erectus, proliferus, tripedalis et ultra. _Rami_ teretes, lanâ densâ, niveâ undique vestiti; et ramulis numerosissimis, incipientibus, brevissimis, sæpe quasi reflexo-imbricatis, instructi. _Flores_ solitarii magni, squamis calycinis lanceolatis, lætissimæ et profundissime rubicundis, basin versus valde lanatis, superioribus sensim majoribus.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. An hermaphrodite floret magnified.

2. The chives, pointal and seed-bud magnified.

3. One of the scales of the empalement.

4. The receptacle.

Few genera of plants attract attention so universally and deservedly, as those of the genus Xeranthemum. All the species it contains are at once the favourites of the Botanist, the Gardener, and the Florist. The former, with pleasing satisfaction, contemplates their polished beauties still undiminished in his herbarium; while the latter find them (if sufficiently guarded from humidity) of easy management and ready growth. They bloom annually, and their durable and highly finished empalements are gathered and used in decorating many a mantle-piece; long, very long after they have ceased to live: whence the name of Eternal Flower. Many species of Gnaphalium possess a similar durability; and we have seen dried bouquets of both united, which were extremely beautiful.

The proliferous Eternal Flower is shrubby, commences flowering in May, lasts a long time in bloom, and in point of singularity and showiness yields to few of its congeners. It is a Cape plant: succeeds with the treatment of several species figured before by us; and is propagated by cuttings: was introduced some years since. Our figure was made from the Clapham collection.

PLATE CCCLXXV.

XERANTHEMUM BRACTEATUM.

_Waved-leaved Eternal Flower._

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

_SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA._ Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

RECEPTACULUM paleaceum, aut nudum. Pappus setaceus. Calyx imbricatus, radiatus; radio colorato.

RECEPTACLE chaffy, or naked. Feather bristly. Empalement tiled, rayed; the ray coloured.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

XERANTHEMUM, foliis alternis amplexicaulibus longo-lanceolatis undulatis, caulibusque erectis pubescentibus; receptaculis nudis, radice annua.

XERANTHEMUM, with alternate stem-clasping long-spear-shaped waved pubescent leaves, pubescent erect stems, naked receptacles, and annual root.

XERANTHEMUM bracteatum. _Vent. Jard. de la Malmaison, tab. 2._

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A hermaphrodite floret magnified.

2. The chives, pointal and seed-bud magnified.

3. The pointal and seed-bud of a female floret magnified.

4. The receptacle.

Xeranthemum bracteatum has the appearance of proving as hardy an annual as a China Aster or French Marygold; and if so, will prove a considerable acquisition to our open borders; as it ripens its seeds well, and they vegetate readily.

In being annual, it recedes in its nature from all the species of the genus we are acquainted with, except X. annuum of Linnæus; which, however, we think, with Jussieu, of a perfectly distinct genus; on account of its squamous receptacle; and its variety (inapertum) a distinct species: the structure of the receptacle in the extensive class Syngenesia being of great consequence in the formation and distribution of genera.

The seedlings of the waved-leaved Eternal Flower are best raised early, like China Asters, on a gentle hot-bed, and, when large enough, should be transplanted out in showery weather, where they are intended to remain: they will become erect and bushy, attain the height of three feet or upwards, and produce their polished, golden-coloured flowers in autumn, in profusion. Possessing no recent specimens in bloom, we have omitted a technical description. Our drawing was made last summer, from fine living plants at Mr. Colvill’s, Nurseryman, in the King’s Road; who raised it in the year 1799 from Port Jackson seeds sent him by Colonel Paterson.

PLATE CCCLXXVI.

NEOTTIA MINOR.

_The Lesser Neottia._

CLASS XX. ORDER I.

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

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPATHÆ vagæ. Spadix simplex. Corolla petala 5 æqualia erecta. Nectarium monophyllum indivisum acuminatum.

SHEATHS scattered. Fruit-stalk simple. Corolla 5 petals of equal length erect. Nectary one-leafed undivided sharp-pointed.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

NEOTTIA, foliis ellipticis acuminatis quintuplinerviis.

NEOTTIA, with elliptic sharp-pointed leaves, with five nerves meeting above the base.

NEOTTIA minor, foliis planis, spathis virescentibus. _Jac. Ic. 3. 16. t. 601._--SATYRIUM elatum. _Gmel. Syst. Nat. 2. 56._--SERAPIAS Neottia. _Gmel. Syst. Nat. 2. 59. monente Dryandro, in Linn. Tr. 2. 215._

DESCRIPTIO. _Folia_ elliptica, acuminata, quintuplinervia, nervo medio subtus cæteris multo majore, viridia, infra pallidiora. _Caulis_ tereti-compressus, pubescens 1-3-pedalis, foliis alternis spathaceis, remotis, instructus. _Flores_ siccos exceptos non possideo. H.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A blossom, seed-bud and sheath.

2. The same magnified without the sheath, the cover of the tips elevated.

3. A flower without the honey-cup.

4. The chives and pointal as they appear detached.

5. The pointal magnified.

What the Neottia minor wants in splendour and beauty, is counterbalanced by the interesting structure of its flowers; which however is not peculiar to it; but frequent in the fine order to which it belongs: the Orchideæ.

Until Jacquin established it as a distinct genus, it was considered as a species of, and retained a place in the genus Serapias, as well as the more showy N. speciosa of our third plate.

The Lesser Neottia is a native of the West Indies; is a very tender hot-house plant, but grows freely in rich earth; either in or out of the tan-bed; rises to the height of about three feet, and flowers in the month of March: is propagated by parting its roots; and although at present rare, was introduced to us before N. speciosa, in the year 1790, by Mr. John Fairbairn, gardener to the Worshipful Company of Apothecaries at Chelsea. Our drawing was taken at Lady De Clifford’s collection at Paddington.

PLATE CCCLXXVII.

ALLIUM CHAMÆ-MOLY.

_The Dwarf Moly._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA 6-partita, patens. Spatha multiflora. Umbella congesta. Capsula supera.

COROLLA 6-parted, expanding. Sheath many-flowered. Umbel crowded. Capsule above.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

ALLIUM, scapo nudo subnullo, capsulis cernuis, foliis planis ciliatis.

ALLIUM, with a naked very short stalk, drooping capsules, and flat ciliated leaves.

ALLIUM Chamæ-Moly. _Willd. Sp. Pl. 2. 83._--_Cavan. Ic. 3. p. 4. t. 207. f. 1.?_

DESCRIPTIO. _Radix_ bulbus parvulus. _Folia_ circiter 4, cruciatim disticha, expansa, linearia, subulata, basin versus parum canaliculata, et subcarinata; hirta, præcipue ad margines, unde ciliata. _Flores_ umbellati subsessiles. _Scapus_ brevissimus, reconditus, nudus. _Spatha_ monophylla 3-8-flora, membranacea, 3-cuspidata. _Pedunculi_ perbreves, teretes, superne incrassati, post florescentiam cernui. _Petala_ 6, lanceolato-linearia, obtusa, alba, costâ utrinque virescente. _Filamenta_ 6, tenuissima, alba, petalis duplo breviora. _Antheræ_ luteæ. _Germen_ superum, turbinatum, 6-sulcatum superne umbilicatum. _Stylus_ albus longitudine filamentorum, sed robustior, apice furcatus. _Stigmata_ fere nulla.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The sheath.

2. A flower spread open, magnified.

3. The seed-bud and pointal.

4. The same magnified.

Although now an old inhabitant of the British gardens, Allium Chamæ-Moly has ever been considered as a rare and interesting one; and is at present extremely scarce. It has several times been entirely lost to us, and again introduced from the south of Europe; where it occurs spontaneously.

In the Hortus Kewensis of Mr. Aiton, it is marked as a hardy species: perhaps inadvertently: because we never knew it survive a single winter in the open ground near London: notwithstanding our having repeatedly tried it, in situations by no means unfavourable: hence, possibly, its present rarity.

It is properly a hardy green-house plant: requires a light soil, and the treatment of an Ixia: increases both by offsets from the root, and by seeds: and flowers annually in the months of January and February. The leaves die down in April or May. In the structure of the flowers, but not the spathe, it agrees with Allium gracile of this work, which is not the gracile of the Hortus Kewensis. The genus Allium is an extensive one; but the present is the least species in it, and possesses the shortest stalk. Cavanilles describes and figures the style as subulate and entire; but in our plant that part is forked: and the spathe in his plant differs much from ours.

PLATE CCCLXXVIII.

GERANIUM FISSIFOLIUM.

_Cloven-leaved Geranium._

CLASS XVI. ORDER IV.

_MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA._ Threads united. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

MONOGYNA. Stigmata quinque. Fructus rostratus, pentacoccus.

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

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

GERANIUM, radice tuberosa, pinnulis foliorum inæqualiter fissis, scapis radicalibus simplicibus numerosis.

GERANIUM, with a tuberous root, the little wings of the leaves unequally cloven, and flower-stalks radical simple and numerous.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement.

2. The chives spread open.

3. The pointal and seed-bud.

4. The same magnified.

This charming species of the tuberous-rooted family of Geranium adds one more to the considerable number in that branch of the genus, which we have already had the satisfaction of laying before our subscribers: nor is it the last we hope to have it in our power to treat them with; for we still possess drawings of two or three more. As a species, it is extremely distinct; and as a beauty, rivalled by very few of its affinities we are acquainted with. It does not appear to have been noticed by any author within our knowledge; flowers at the same time as Geranium barbatum, requires the same treatment, and belongs to L’Hertier’s genus Erodium.

Our drawing was taken from the Clapham collection some time since; but we cannot at present procure any specimen of it: which prevents us from describing it in a technical manner.

PLATE CCCLXXIX.

RHODODENDRON PONTICUM, _var. deciduum_.

_Deciduous Purple Rhododendron._

CLASS X. ORDER I.

_DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Ten Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX 5-partitus. Corolla rotato-infundibuliformis. Stamina declinata. Capsula 5-locularis.

EMPALEMENT of 5 divisions. Blossom wheel-funnel-shaped. Chives declined. Capsule 5-celled.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

RHODODENDRON, foliis lanceolatis deciduis, laciniis corollæ valde undulatis.

RHODODENDRON, with lanced deciduous leaves, and segments of the corolla very much waved.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement and peduncle.

2. The same, with the chives and pointal.

3. A chive detached, the tip magnified.

4. The seed-bud and pointal.

The figure which accompanies this description represents a beautiful plant, which is probably an hybrid one; generated between some Azalea and the pontic Rhododendron. It is reported to have been raised some time since in the Nursery at Mile-end, from seeds which were grown in this country. In appearance, and in the structure of the leaves, it resembles its supposed mother the Rhododendron ponticum; but in their deciduous nature, and in some parts of the inflorescence; and likewise in other particulars; it betrays a considerable similitude to the American Azaleæ.

The pontic Rhododendron is a very sportive species; varies much in the formation and colour of its corolla; and we cultivate a strong variety of it with the flowers of R. maximum. The present variety has not any of its undulated flowers spotted with yellow, no more than that which is figured by Pallas in Flora Rossica: yet the spotting of the three superior segments of the corolla is pretty constant in most of the varieties which we have examined; and is even present, although faintly, in R. maximum. Our figure was taken at Whitley and Brames’s in the month of May.

PLATE CCCLXXX.

ACHYRANTHES PORRIGENS.

_Divaricating Achyranthes._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

FLORES incompleti, inferi. Calyx 5-phyllus. Corolla 0. Stigma 2-fidum. Semina solitaria.

FLOWERS incomplete, beneath. Empalement 5-leaved. Corolla none. Summit 2-cleft. Seeds solitary.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

ACHYRANTHES, foliis oppositis, lanceolatis, spicis ovatis, acutis. _Jacq. Hort. Schœnb. 3. 349. t. 350._

ACHYRANTHES, with leaves opposite, spear-shaped, and egg-shaped sharp-pointed spikes.

DESCRIPTIO. Suffrutex ramulis distantibus, filiformibus, canescentibus. _Folia_ opposita, elliptico-ovata, breviter petiolata, obsolete venosa, supra pallide viridia lente pubescentia; subtus pallidiora magisque pubescentia. _Flores_ dichotome-paniculati, divaricati, capitulis ovalibus, persistentibus, ante et post exsiccationem læte purpureis pulchellisque, ut in Gomphrenâ perenni.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A flower complete.

2. The empalement magnified.

3. The blossom magnified.

4. The same cut open.

5. The seed-bud and pointal.

Achyranthes porrigens was introduced into this country from Paris, in the year 1802, by Mr. Woodford of Vauxhall; but its native country we have not ascertained. Our figure was taken from a fine plant in the collection of J. Vere, esq. at Kensington Gore; where it is considered and treated as a hot-house plant of the more hardy kind; and rises to the height of 2 or 3 feet. Thrives well in rich earth, and flowers freely in spring, making an elegant but not showy appearance. Its flowers resemble those of Gomphrena perennis, and like them preserve their colours after death, if gathered before they are fully blown; and are capable of becoming both a novel and a graceful addition to our dried bouquets. Is propagated by cuttings, and promises fair to ripen seeds; but is at present extremely rare.

PLATE CCCLXXXI.

SARRACENIA FLAVA.

_Yellow Side-saddle Flower._

CLASS XIII. ORDER I.

_POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Many Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CAPSULA 5-locularis. Stigma clypeatum. Calyx exterior 3-phyllus, superior 5-phyllus.

CAPSULE 5-celled. Stigma shield-shaped. Calyx outer 3-leaved, upper 5-leaved.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

SARRACENIA, foliis erectis tubulatis, valva collo contracta, apice plana erecta.

SARRACENIA, with erect leaves, the valve contracted in the neck, with its point flat and erect.

SARRACENIA flava, _Walt. Fl. Carol. 153._--_Aiton Hort. Kew. 2. 225._--_Willd. Sp. Pl. tom. 2. 1150._

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A back view of the flower.

2. A flower deprived of its superior calyx leaves, showing the situation and structure of the stamina and style.

Few of the productions of Flora exhibit such extraordinary appearances as those of the small but interesting genus Sarracenia: whether we contemplate their tubulose, water-holding, lidded leaves; or the strange conformation of their flowers; but more especially their enormous shield-shaped stigmata.

Walter enumerates four species of Sarracenia in his Flora Caroliniana, all perennial-rooted; and all at this time existing in the London gardens; but they are rare.

The Side-saddle Flowers are rather difficult of cultivation, and succeed best when treated as green-house bog plants; and when plentifully supplied with water. They are propagated by dividing their roots in spring. The specimen from which our figure was taken, was obligingly sent us by the honourable Mr. Irby of Farnham Royal, Bucks.

PLATE CCCLXXXII.

LIPARIA VILLOSA.

_Concave-leaved Liparia._

CLASS XVII. ORDER III.

_DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA._ Two Brotherhoods. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYCIS lacinia infima elongata. Alæ inferius bilobæ.

THE lower segment of the empalement elongated. The wings two-lobed on the lower margin.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &c.

LIPARIA, floribus fasciculatis, foliis subrotundis concavis, extus tomentosis, intus villosis nudisque.

LIPARIA, with fasciculated flowers, leaves roundish concave, downy outwardly, and villose or naked within.

LIPARIA villosa α. _Willd. Sp. Pl. 3. 1117._ excluso synonymo Thunbergii; quod ad varietatem β. potius pertinet.

LIPARIA vestita, floribus capitatis, foliis ovatis concavis subtus lanatis. _Thunb. Prod. 124. et etiam Willd. Sp. Pl. 3. 1115._

GENISTA africana tomentosa, folio cochleariformi, flore luteo. _Seba Thes._ 1. _p. 38. tab. 24. f. 1._

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement.

2. The banner.

3. One of the wings.

4. The keel.

5. The chives and pointal.

6. The seed-bud.

The Liparia villosa is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and rises with a shrubby, but not much branched stem, to the height of two or three feet. The silvery wool which clothes the younger branches and leaves of the plant, gives it a very handsome appearance; yet by age it sometimes acquires a somewhat rusty tint. The leaves are nearly round, and assume, particularly when dried, a deep concave form, and very much resemble in shape, small bivalve shells; a circumstance noticed long since by the great naturalist Seba, as will appear on consulting the synonyms above given. The variety β. of Willdenow has much narrower, and not concave leaves; and is a very distinct species.

The concave-leaved Liparia is propagated, but not readily, by cuttings; prefers the treatment of a green-house plant, a light, but good soil; and, like most woolly plants, is very liable to be destroyed by damps. Our figure was taken in May last at George Hibbert’s, esq.

PLATE CCCLXXXIII.

PITTOSPORUM UNDULATUM.

_Waved-leaved Pittosporum._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CAPSULA 2-5-locularis, 5-valvis. Semina tecta pulpa. Petala conniventia in tubum.

CAPSULE 2-5-celled, 5-valved. Seeds covered with pulp. Petals converging into a tube.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

PITTOSPORUM, foliis lanceolatis undulatis acutis.

PITTOSPORUM, with lance-shaped, waved sharp-pointed leaves.

DESCRIPTIO. Frutex erectus, ramosus. _Ramuli_ fusci, cicatricibus foliorum asperi. _Folia_ breviter petiolata, lanceolata, vel elliptico-lanceolata, acuta, undulata, rigida, lucida, viridia, et reticulatim venosa; subtus pallidiora. _Flores_ terminales, racemosi, albicantes, pedunculis inæqualibus, rufescentibus, obsolete bracteatis. _Calyx_ 5-fidus, deciduus, laciniis acutis, recurvis. _Corolla_, petala 5, lineari-lanceolata, obtusa, revoluta, inferne in tubum conniventia. _Stamina_, filamenta 5, receptaculo inserta, stricta, subulata, subcompressa, altitudine styli; antheræ erectæ, luteæ. _Stylus_ albidus, petalis brevior. Stigma obtusum.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement.

2. One of the petals.

3. The chives and pointal, with one tip magnified.

4. The pointal and seed-bud magnified.

The Pittosporum undulatum is a new plant, introduced into this country in the year 1793 from New Holland, where it is a native. It rises with a shrubby stem, which is branched above, to the height of several feet. Its branches are adorned with a fine undulated foliage that is rigid to the touch; and are terminated, in the month of May, with bunches of whitish flowers.

Is as yet a very rare species, and is raised from imported seeds; and likewise by cuttings. Requires, and thrives well with, the common treatment of a green-house or conservatory plant; and deserves a place in every extensive collection. Our drawing was made from a specimen in the Nursery of Messrs. Colvil, in the King’s Road.

PLATE CCCLXXXIV.

XERANTHEMUM VARIEGATUM.

_Variegated Eternal Flower._

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

_SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA._ Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

RECEPTACULUM paleaceum, aut nudum. Pappus setaceus. Calyx imbricatus, radiatus; radio colorato.

RECEPTACLE chaffy, or naked. Feather bristly. Empalement tiled, rayed: the ray coloured.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

XERANTHEMUM, floribus solitariis nutantibus, squamis calycinis obtusis maculatis.

XERANTHEMUM, with solitary nodding flowers, and the scales of the empalement obtuse and spotted.

XERANTHEMUM variegatum. _Syst. Veg. 614._--_Syst. Veg. Litchf. ed. 2. p. 614._--_Reich. Syst. Pl. pars 3. 766._

XERANTHEMUM africanum Gnaphalii foliis tomentosis, foliis et squamorum summitatibus ferrugineis. _Raii Suppl. 181._

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. An hermaphrodite floret magnified.

2. The chives, pointal, and seed-bud magnified.

3. One of the scales of the empalement.

4. The receptacle.

The Xeranthemum variegatum is a small shrub, and seldom attains the height of two feet. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and was lately introduced from that country to the collection of George Hibbert, esq. where our drawing was taken in the month of May. It requires the same treatment as the other species of the genus, and is propagated in the same manner. The leaves are linear-lanced, embrace the stem alternately, and when old are often reflexed in an imbricated manner: they are clothed, as well as the stems, with wool; and resemble fine woollen cloth to the touch, and often have their edges and points of a purplish rusty colour. The bracteated peduncles are from one to three in number, at the end of each branch. The young flowers are more highly coloured than the old ones, which sometimes assume a nodding attitude: when aged they bleach almost white, except the points of the calycine scales, which always retain a purplish blotch.

PLATE CCCLXXXV.

CAMPANULA LACINIATA.

_Ragwort-leaved Bell Flower._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA campanulata, fundo clauso valvis staminiferis. Stigma 3-fidum. Capsula infera, poris lateralibus dehiscens.

COROLLA bell-shaped with the mouth closed by staminiferous valves. Summit 3-cleft. Capsule beneath, gaping with lateral pores.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

CAMPANULA, capsulis obtectis pedunculatis, foliis serratis; radicalibus lyratis; caulinis lanceolatis.

BELL FLOWER, with pedunculated covered capsules, and serrated leaves; the root ones lyrated; the stem ones spear-shaped.

CAMPANULA laciniata. _Willd. Sp. Pl. 1. 911._

CAMPANULA Græca, saxatilis, Jacobeæ foliis. _Tourn. Voyage 1. 201._ cum icone.--_Coroll. Inst. Rei Herb. 3._

DESCRIPTIO. Herba undique villosa. _Radix_ biennis. _Folia_ radicalia lyrato-pinnatifida, pinnulis incisis; caulina alterna, sublanceolata, inciso-serrata. _Pedunculi_ bracteis subovatis dentatis instructi. _Flores_ numerosi cærulei.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement.

2. The blossom laid open.

3. The seed-bud, chives and pointal.

4. A chive magnified.

5. The seed-bud and pointal, the summit magnified.

The Campanula laciniata, although introduced into the British gardens so long since as the year 1790, is still a very scarce species: this is not owing to a want of beauty, but to its having a biennial root, and not perfecting its seeds well, except in favourable situations. It was originally discovered by the celebrated French traveller and botanist Tournefort, about a century since, on a remarkable rock in the Island of Sikino in Greece; where he appears to have been highly delighted with its beauty and appearance, and says it is “_the fairest Campanula in all Greece_[B].” However applicable this encomium may have been in those days, it ceases to be so now; for, without detracting from the fairness and beauty of the present plant, we have in cultivation another Grecian Campanula, still more fair and beautiful, and much more rare, which we hope soon to have the pleasure of presenting to our subscribers.

The Ragwort-leaved Campanula is usually treated as an alpine plant, and wintered in a frame: it is increased by seeds, and is impatient of superfluous moisture.

[B] Tournefort’s Voyage, vol. i. page 201.

PLATE CCCLXXXVI.

ANTHERICUM PUGIONIFORME.

_Dagger-leaved Anthericum._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX patens aut connivens. Stamina filamentis filiformibus hirsutis. Stigma 1. Semina angulata. _Juss. Gen. Pl. 52._

EMPALEMENT expanding or converging. Chives thread-shaped hairy. Summit 1. Seeds angulated.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

ANTHERICUM, foliis carnosis linearibus acuminatis canaliculatis, scapo foliis duplo longiore.

ANTHERICUM, with fleshy linear acuminated channelled leaves, with a stalk twice their length.

ANTHERICUM pugioniforme. _Willd. Sp. Pl. 2. 144._

ANTHERICUM filamentis barbatis acaule, radice subrotunda perenni, foliis crasso-subulatis antice sulcatis apice teretibus pulposis erectis. _Jacq. Ic. rar. 2. t. 405._

PETALA sex, oblonga, obtusa, plana, patentissima, lutea, cum fascia longitudinali media utrinque viridi. Filamenta subulata patula, petalis breviora, flavescentia, circa medium omnia ex viridi-flavo dense barbata. Antheræ oblongæ, flavæ. Germen ovatum, superum. Stylus filiformis, erectus, longitudine staminum. Stigma obtusum. _Jacq. Collect. Supp. 83._

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The seed-bud, chives and pointal.

2. A chive magnified.

3. The seed-bud and pointal.

A native of the Cape of Good Hope, from whence it was sent some time since to the collection of G. Hibbert, esq. Clapham Common; where our figure was taken last autumn. It is rather more singular in its appearance, than beautiful; but is at present extremely rare, and deserves a place in all collections; prefers the treatment of a green-house succulent plant, and requires much air; but must be carefully defended from superfluous humidity; particularly when not in a state of active growth; and is best kept constantly in the house. Is propagated by parting its roots, but not very readily: and requires a light, dry soil.

PLATE CCCLXXXVII.

XERANTHEMUM RIGIDUM.

_Rigid-leaved Eternal Flower._

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

_SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA._ Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

RECEPTACULUM paleaceum, aut nudum. Pappus setaceus. Calyx imbricatus, radiatus; radio colorato.

RECEPTACLE chaffy, or naked. Feather bristly. Empalement tiled, rayed; the ray coloured.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

XERANTHEMUM, floribus parvis paniculatis; foliis villosis lineari-lanceolatis acuminatis viridibus.

XERANTHEMUM, with small paniculated flowers; and hairy linear-lanced sharp-pointed green leaves.

DESCRIPTIO. Suffrutex, ramulis teretibus, subflexuosis, villosis. _Folia_, superiora remotiora, alterna, amplexicaulia, lineari-lanceolata, acuminata, canaliculata, rigida, villosa, viridia, superne patula. _Flores_ paniculati, terminales, parvi in hoc genere, et inconspicui. _Pedunculi_ lanuginoso-villosi, bracteati. _Calyces_ argentei. _Corollulæ_ flavicantes.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A scale of the empalement.

2. One of the hermaphrodite florets magnified.

3. The chives and pointal.

4. The receptacle.

The plant here delineated is by no means a conspicuous one; nevertheless, as it is a genuine member of a favourite genus, and at the same time a new species, and almost the last of its fine family we shall be able to present to our readers, it cannot fail to be acceptable to them.

The present species is a weak shrubby plant, flowers freely, and succeeds with the treatment of the other eternal flowers, and is propagated in the same manner: and was lately raised from Cape seeds at our never-failing source of rare plants, the choice collection of G. Hibbert, esq. where the figure here given was made in May last.

It is very closely allied to X. argenteum of our 327th plate, which is the X. paniculatum of Thunberg and the younger Linnæus.

PLATE CCCLXXXVIII.

MESEMBRYANTHEMUM INCLAUDENS.

_Unclosing-flowered Fig-Marygold._

CLASS XII. ORDER IV.

_ICOSANDRIA PENTAGYNIA._ Twenty Chives. Five Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

PETALA valde numerosa, linearia, basi cohærentia.

PETALS very numerous, linear, cohering at the base.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

MESEMBRYANTHEMUM, foliis triquetris lævibus perviridibus, carinâ gibbosâ, corollis inclandentibus, petalis interioribus valde abbreviatis imbricatisque.

FIG-MARYGOLD, with triquetrous smooth deep green leaves, with a gibbous keel, unclosing flowers, and interior petals extremely abbreviated and imbricated.

DESCRIPTIO. M. mutabili nobis affinis, sed species valde distincta: differt in his, foliis lævioribus, et longe viridioribus, minusque mucronatis, marginibus sæpius plus minusve purpureis: floribus speciosis semper apertis; nec inconspicuis, nocteque clausis; saturatissime et vivacissime rubicundis, petalis cuneato-linearibus, latis in hoc genere, apicibus erosis; interioribus (petalis) maxime abbreviatis, imbricatisque quasi in stellam. _Calyx_ subanceps, 5-fidus, membranis rubro punctatis. _Filamenta_ recondita, brevissima omnium (vix linearia), alba, basi purpurea. _Antheræ_ albidæ, circiter longitudinem filamentorum. _Styli_ 5, erecti, pergrossi, virides, altitudine antherarum. Capsulam non vidi. _H._

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement, seed-bud, chives and pointals.

2. The same cut perpendicularly, to show the insertion of the chives and pointal.

Our figure represents a perfectly new and nondescript, and at the same time very ornamental species of Mesembryanthemum: each flower possesses the valuable property of lasting about ten days in beauty, and never closes after being once expanded: a circumstance of exceeding rare occurrence in this very extensive genus; no fewer than 214 distinct species of which we have now a knowledge of[C].

M. inclaudens rises with a branched, shrubby stem, to the height of 10 or 12 inches, and is cultivated in the same manner, and propagated with the same facility, that is common and well known in this tribe: they are all very hardy green-house plants; require in winter as much air as possible, if frost is but avoided; strike freely from cuttings; are great lovers of hot, sunny and sheltered situations, when out for the summer; and are better not watered over their heads, but at the roots only.

The present species was raised from Cape seeds last season, in the collection of G. Hibbert, esq. where our drawing was made in July. Mr. Ross, Nurseryman at Stoke Newington, has also raised it from Cape seeds, and flowered it in July; and he likewise very fortunately flowered at the same time several fine specimens of M. rostratum; the fructifications of which have not been produced before in Europe, that we know of, although the plant has been common in the English gardens ever since the year 1732, and is one of the very few which Dillenius thought proper to figure without flowers, in his celebrated Hortus Elthamensis.

[C] 211 are described in my Miscellanea Naturalia, lately published. _H._

PLATE CCCLXXXIX.

DOMBEYA ERYTHROXYLON.

_Saint Helena Red-wood._

CLASS XVI. ORDER VII.

_MONADELPHIA DODECANDRIA._ Threads united. Twelve Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX duplex, exterior 3-phyllus deciduus. Corolla 5-petala. Stamina 10-20, quorum 5 sterilia. Stylus 5-fidus. Capsulæ 5, coalitæ uniloculares, 1. s. polyspermæ.

EMPALEMENT double, outer 3-leaved deciduous. Corolla 5-petalled. Chives 10 to 20, of which 5 are sterile. Style 5-cleft. Capsules 5, conjoined one-celled, 1-or many-seeded.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

DOMBEYA, foliis ovatis acuminatis cordatis, subtus tomentosis reticulatis, pedunculis subtrifloris, floribus pentandris.

DOMBEYA, with ovate acuminated heart-shaped leaves, downy and reticulated beneath, peduncles about 3-flowered, and pentandrous flowers.

DOMBEYA Erythroxylon. _Willd. Sp. Pl. 3. 725._

PENTAPETES Erythroxylon, foliis cordatis subcrenatis subtus tomentosis rugoso-reticulatis, floribus subumbellatis decandris. _Ait. Hort. Kew. 2. 438._

ALCÆA arborea, populi nigræ foliis, prona parte albicantibus, flore amplissimo rubicundo. _Pluk. Mant. 6. t. 333. f. 1._

DESCRIPTIO. Frutex dumosus; ramulis, petiolis teretibus, paginis inferioribus foliorum, pedunculis calycibusque tomentoso-canis, et ferrugineo dense punctulatis. _Folia_ alterna, petiolata, cordata, subintegra, supra perviridia, utraque venosa, subtus obsolete reticulata. _Flores_ malvacei, speciosi. _Calyx_ duplex, exterior minutus, 3-phyllus, foliolis subulatis, sesquilinearibus, superior 5-phyllus, foliolis lineari-lanceolatis, acuminatis. _Petala_ 5, alba, retuse cuneata, venosa, basi uno latere, gibbosa, imbricata. _Stamina_, filamenta 10, atra, patula, quorum 5 sterilia, cæteris duplo longiora. _Antheæ_ erectæ luteæ. _Stylus_ teres, albus, 5-fidus, antheras superans.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement.

2. One of the petals.

3. The chives and pointal.

4. The chives spread open.

5. The pointal and seed-bud.

The handsome plant here represented is a native of Saint Helena, and is known by the name of Saint Helena Red-wood. Although introduced into this country by Sir Joseph Banks in the year 1772, it is at this time one of our very rarest and most desirable of hot-house plants. Mr. Aiton enumerates it in the Hortus Kewensis, but marks no time for its flowering; which therefore, we must suppose, but seldom occurs. Our specimen was obligingly sent us by T. Evans, esq. from his fine collection at Stepney in June 1803, and we last month saw it beautifully in bloom at the honourable Charles Greville’s, Paddington.

In the colour of its flowers, and in other particulars, it appears to vary. Plukenet calls them rubicund: ours were white: and in the extensive herbarium of A. B. Lambert, esq. we have examined a Saint Helena specimen with purple flowers, and less hoary but more reticulated leaves, which wanted the minute ferruginous spotting so abundant upon ours. It is propagated by cuttings in the usual way.

PLATE CCCXC.

AMARYLLIS SPECTABILIS.

_Waved-leaved Amaryllis._

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA hexapetaloidea irregularis. Filamenta fauci tubi inserta declinata inæqualia proportione vel directione.

COROLLA 6-petal-like irregular. Chives inserted into the throat of the tube, bent downward, and unequal in proportion or direction.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

AMARYLLIS, spatha multiflora, tubo corollæ laciniis sesquilongiore, foliis lato-subulatis serrulatisque scapo longioribus.

AMARYLLIS, with a many-flowered sheath, the tube of the corolla longer than its segments, the leaves broad-awl-shaped serrulated and longer than the stalk.

DESCRIPTIO. _Radix_ bulbus mediocris tunicatus, et rotundatus, pallidusque. _Folia_ multifaria, lato-subulata, sesquipedalia, subcanaliculata, lævia, viridia, carinâ pallidâ, striisque parallelis ad lucem utrinque etiam pallidis; basin versus undulata, et aliquo attenuata; margine cartilagineo, serrulis minutissimis, expansis, albis, remotisque, aspero. _Scapus_ foliis duplo brevior, rubens, grossus, obtuse compressus, obsolete at irregulariter sulcato-striatulus, æquali crassitie. _Spatha_ diphylla, subquadriflora, valida, foliolis lineatis, apicibus obtusissimis, et minute emarginatis, intus albis, extus virentibus, tinctura rubedinis. _Flores_ sessiles, hexapetaloidei, tubulosi: tubus curvatus, angulatus, sulcatus, 5-uncialis et ultra, at gracilis, laciniis sesquilongior. _Petala_ late lanceolata, undulata, acuta, alba, vittâ purpureâ. _Filamenta_ alba, declinata, laciniis longe breviora. _Antheræ_ versatiles, arcuatæ, magnæ, demum atræ. _Germen_ sessile, compressum, viride. _Stylus_ albus, superne purpureus, antheras superans. _Stigma_ minutum. Infra germina, filamenta perpauca, staminiformia, sæpius adsunt.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A petal with its chive attached.

2. The seed-bud and pointal.