Chapter II: Part 2

The magnificent species of Amaryllis here represented is a native of Sierra Leona; and was introduced from thence to this country, by Professor Afzelius, several years ago; but has not yet been described by any author whose works have reached us: although it will unquestionably be inserted in the Flora of that part of Africa, which the abovementioned learned Botanist is said to be preparing for publication.

Although a very tender hot-house species, it flowers freely in the tan-bed, in rich earth; but its elegant flowers, like those of Amaryllis ornata, which it also resembles in foliage, are of very short duration, and do not individually last in full beauty longer than a day; unless they are taken out of the hot-house as soon as expanded, and placed in some cool apartment; which indeed they well deserve. Our figure was taken from plants in very great perfection, at J. Vere’s, esq. Kensington Gore, in the month of July.

PLATE CCCXCI.

NYMPHÆA LOTUS.

_The Ægyptian Lotus._

CLASS XIII. ORDER I.

_POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Many Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA polypetala. Calyx 4-s. 5-phyllus. Bacca multilocularis, loculis polyspermis.

BLOSSOM many-petaled. Empalement 4-or 5-leaved. Berry many-celled, with many seeds in each cell.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

NYMPHÆA, foliis cordatis dentatis glaberrimis lobis approximatis, calyce tetraphyllo. _Willd. Sp. Pl. 2. 1153._

NYMPHÆA, with heart-shaped dentated very smooth leaves, with the lobes approximated, and a four-leaved empalement.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The seed-bud and pointal. 2. A chive. 3. A transverse section of the seed-bud. 4. A capsule.

There can be no doubt, but that the plant here figured is the true “Nymphæa Lotus” of Linnæus, and that it is the plant mentioned by Pliny in Nat. Hist. lib. 13. cap. 17. and lib. 22. cap. 21. He there makes mention of a plant which is found at the ebbing of the Nile, the fruit of which resembles a poppy, and the seed of the size of millet: this exactly answers to the “Nymphæa” before us, and does not at all apply to the “Nelumbium,” the kernels of which are of the size of nuts or thereabouts: he also remarks that the heads are dried by the natives, and that the seed is beat and broken and made into bread.--Herodotus also mentions that the Egyptians baked the seed into bread, and ate of the roots, or rather tubercles, which resembled an apple and had an agreeable flavour. Vide Euterpe 92--Melpomene 177.

Sonnini, in his Voyages, mentions the Lotus as being most abundant in Egypt, and having _white flowers_; and I apprehend the red one to be nothing but a variety of this.

When we know that the Egyptians worship the Nile, as the Indians do the Ganges, we cannot wonder that a plant so beautiful, and so abundant in that river, should also become an object of adoration; and we find it continually though roughly engraved on their idols.--Indeed Pierius, in his Hieroglyphics, mentions that the Egyptians worshipped the Lotus as the type of the rising Sun.--It is always found on the statues of Osiris, the Egyptian Apollo; it is also to be seen on the medals struck in Egypt by the Romans, and especially during the reign of Adrian, who held it in such veneration, that the medals which that Emperor caused to be struck in Egypt, in honour of his favourite Antinoüs, uniformly represent the latter with the Lotus on his head; whence the expression “Antinoëan crown.”--Various animals in the Hieroglyphics appear to have it, as the hawk, the lion, and the ram. It is to be seen on most of, though not all, their deities; as Jupiter Ammon, Iris, Serapis, Orus, Canopus, and most particularly on Harpocrates, who is often figured sitting in the midst of it.--See Cuper’s Harpocrates, passim. The Lotus symbolizes Plenty on many of the medals of Egypt and Sicily, probably from being so great an article of food among the inhabitants, and from its generally appearing at the reflux of the Nile, when the banks were again open to the various uses they might be put to. Whether or not the Lotus here figured, which I think I have sufficiently proved to be the true Egyptian one, is the same which grows in the Ganges, and is in such high veneration throughout the continent of India, China, and Japan, can only be proved by a comparison of the two together: certain however it is, that a plant of great similarity to it, if not quite the same, is to be found on most of their idols also; and as the Ganges is worshipped so may the Lotus be, with which it abounds. It expands in the dusk of the evening, and closes about ten in the morning.

To the Right Honourable the Marquis of Blandford we are indebted for the description of this very interesting plant, accompanied by a fine living specimen from his splendid collection at White Knights near Reading, Berks.

PLATE CCCXCII.

IXIA COLUMNARIS, _var. angustifolia_.

_Columnar-chived Ixia. Narrowed-leaved Var._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA sex-petala patens æqualis. Stigmata tria erectiusculo-patula.

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

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

IXIA, filamentis basi cohærentibus; floribus subcapitatis, petalis purpureis basi saturatioribus, foliis lineari-ensiformibus.

IXIA, with threads united at the base, flowers rather in heads, petals purple with darker bases, and linear-sword-shaped leaves.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two valves of the sheath.

2. An entire flower, cut open in the tube only, which is extended nearly to the end of the threads.

3. The chives cut open and magnified.

4. The pointal complete, one of the summits detached and magnified.

The figure which accompanies this description represents the narrowest-leaved variety of the columnar-chived Ixia hitherto introduced into the British gardens.

Like the other varieties already figured in this work, it is a native of the Cape of Good Hope; and like them must be treated as a Cape-bulb; requiring only the protection of the green-house, and a mixture of loam and peat; and no water during its quiescent state.

It flowers in June or July, and is a very brilliant variety. Our figure was taken some time since at Messrs. Colvill’s, Nurserymen in the King’s Road.

PLATE CCCXCIII.

FUMARIA FORMOSA.

_Beautiful Fumitory._

CLASS XVII. ORDER II.

_DIADELPHIA HEXANDRIA._ Two Brotherhoods. Six Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX diphyllus. Corolla ringens. Filamenta duo membranacea, singula antheris tribus.

EMPALEMENT two-leaved. Blossom gaping. Threads two, membranaceous, each with three tips.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

FUMARIA, scapis erectis, pedunculis cernuis subtrifloris bracteatis, corollis basi bilobis.

FUMITORY, with erect stalks, cernuous nearly 3-flowered bracteated peduncles, and blossoms two-lobed at the base.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement.

2. A flower spread open, showing the insertion of the chives, with one filament detached and magnified.

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

The beautiful species of Fumaria which we have here represented is a hardy plant; but of what country it is a native, or by whom first introduced into the British gardens, we have yet to learn; neither have we hitherto been able to ascertain it in any author. Our drawing was made from very fine specimens communicated to us by William Anderson, botanic gardener to James Vere, esq. Kensington Gore, in whose collection it flowered copiously in the month of June last.

It is allied to the tuberous-rooted species; and perhaps nearer to Fumaria nobilis than any other: succeeds very well in a mixture of peat earth and loam, but prefers a sheltered and a somewhat shaded situation; and makes a very fine appearance when in flower: it also possesses unusual elegance in its foliage.

PLATE CCCXCIV.

MIMOSA LINIFOLIA.

_Flax-leaved Mimosa._

CLASS XXIII. ORDER I.

_POLYGAMIA MONŒCIA._ Various Dispositions upon one Plant.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

HERMAPH. Calyx 5-dentatus. Corolla 5-fida. Stamina 5 sive plura. Pistillum 1. Legumen.

Mascul. Calyx 5-dentatus. Corolla 5-fida. Stamina 5-10, sive plura.

HERMAPH. Empalement 5-toothed. Blossom 5-cleft. Chives 5 or more. Pointal 1. A Pod.

Male. Empalement 5-toothed. Blossom 5-cleft. Chives 5-10, or more.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

MIMOSA, foliis sparsis suberectis angustissime linearibus.

MIMOSA, with scattered erectish very narrow linear leaves.

MIMOSA linifolia. _Ventenat Plantes Nouvelles_, tab. 2.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement and blossom magnified.

2. The empalement detached and magnified.

3. A chive magnified.

4. The seed-bud and pointal magnified.

The Mimosa linifolia is a native of New South Wales, from whence it was introduced to this country several years ago.

It has been considered in the gardens as a new species, and is known under the name of pinifolia; but as it has been recently named linifolia, by M. Ventenat in his Plantes Nouvelles, from plants which we believe were sent to France from England, we have adopted the latter name.

It is a very elegant greenhouse shrub; and arises with stiff erect slender branches to the height of several feet, and does not flower when young.

The Flax-leaved Mimosa is propagated chiefly by seeds, and either not at all, or with great difficulty, from cuttings; and is usually cultivated in light rich earth.

The individual here represented flowered very fine in the month of May at Mrs. Wright’s, Bayswater; where our drawing was made.

PLATE CCCXCV.

ANTHERICUM PANICULATUM.

_Panicled 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.

ANTHERICUM, foliis canaliculato-ensiformibus gramineis, scapo paniculato diffuso, radice tuberosâ.

ANTHERICUM, with channel-sword-shaped grassy leaves, diffuse panicled flower-stem, and a tuberous root.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A leaf.

2. The chives and pointal.

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

4. The seed-bud magnified.

The Anthericum paniculatum is a native of New Holland, and was lately introduced from that country to this. In its tuberous root and woolly filaments, it accords very well with the genus Anthericum, as defined by Jussieu, in his celebrated Genera Plantarum; yet recedes from it in wanting thick and fleshy leaves; which all the African species of that genus have: hence it approximates, in habit at least, the genus Phalangium of Jussieu, which Willdenow makes a division only of Anthericum.

But there is nothing peculiarly remarkable in the present species differing a little from its African congeners, because most of the Australasian plants differ in some very striking particular or other from their nearest affinities in all other parts of the world; and very often constitute new genera.

It succeeds with the treatment of the Cape species, loves water, when in active growth; continues in flower several of the summer months, and is propagated by parting its roots in autumn, and by seeds, which it sometimes perfects in this country.

PLATE CCCXCVI.

CAMPANULA VERSICOLOR.

_Various-coloured 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.

CAMPANULA, foliis glabris cordato-ovatis undulatis, foliolis calycinis subulatis reflexis, corollis rotato-campanulatis.

BELL-FLOWER, with smooth heart-ovate waved leaves, calyx leaflets awl-shaped reflexed, and wheel-bell-shaped blossoms.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A radical leaf.

2. The empalement, chives and pointal.

3. A chive.

4. The seed-bud and pointal.

Without a doubt the present is not only a new species, but likewise one of the most showy in the extensive genus Campanula; nearly all the individuals of which have charms enough to entitle them to a place in the flower-garden.

When our readers are told that it is an inhabitant of Greece, most of them will readily perceive it is the very species announced in our last number, as one that in beauty surpasses the _fairest of the fair_, and was communicated to us, as well as the laciniata, by the Hon. W. H. Irby, of Farnham Royal, Bucks.

It was first raised from seeds brought to this country from Greece, by the late and much regretted Professor Sibthorp. There are two or three varieties of it, which are all hardy, and flower in July; rising to the height of about two feet, and making a very splendid appearance. They succeed best in peat earth and loam; and are propagated by seeds and by parting their roots: and are at present much sought after by all collectors.

PLATE CCCXCVII.

STEWARTIA MARILANDICA.

_Maryland Stewartia._

CLASS XVI. ORDER XIII.

_MONADELPHIA POLYANDRIA._ One Brotherhood. Many Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX quinquepartitus. Petala quinque. Stamina numerosa. Stylus 1. Stigma capitatum subquinquelobum. Capsula lignosa conica, calyci reflexo persistenti insidens, quinquelocularis quinquevalvis, valvis crassis ligneis medio septiferis; loculis 1-2-spermis. _Uster’s Juss. Gen. Pl. 324._

EMPALEMENT five-parted. Petals five. Chives numerous. Style one. Summit headed somewhat five-lobed. Capsule woody conical, sitting on the reflexed persistent empalement, five-celled five-valved, with the valves thick woody and with partitions in the middle; with cells one-or two-seeded.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

STEWARTIA, foliis alternis ellipticis acuminatis obsolete et remote serrulatis, subtus villosis; floribus solitariis albis.

STEWARTIA, with alternate elliptic acuminated obscurely and remotely serrulated leaves, hairy beneath; and solitary white flowers.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The calyx, seed-bud and pointal.

2. The chives spread open.

The Stewartia, which we have here represented, is known and cultivated in His Majesty’s, and in various other collections of plants in the vicinity of the metropolis, under the name of Marilandica; under which title it likewise occurs in the third edition of Donn’s Hortus Cantabrigiensis: but we do not find the name in any other book: neither can we, for want of sufficient specimens, ascertain whether it is specifically distinct from Stewartia virginica, or a variety only of that species. From S. virginica, however, as figured by Cavanilles in his Dissertationes, (tab. 159) it appears to differ, in having larger and much less serrated leaves, and in their being villose beneath; and likewise in its larger and entirely white petals. Cavanilles’ plant has one of its petals of a yellow-green colour. From Stewartia Malachodendron it is known, at first sight, by its entire, not lacerated petals; independent of the other _generical_ distinctions, according to Jussieu and Cavanilles, which exist between them.

The Maryland Stewartia is, as its name imports, a native of Maryland in America. It is a hardy shrub, and is propagated by layers; but does not thrive unless in a moist situation, planted in a mixture of peat earth and a little loam; and flowers in August and September.

The plant here figured was obligingly communicated to us, in bloom, by the Marquis of Blandford, with whom it flowered in July last, we believe for the first time in this country.

PLATE CCCXCVIII.

WACHENDORFIA VILLOSA.

_Villose Wachendorfia._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA sex-petala, inæqualis, infera. Capsula trilocularis, supera.

BLOSSOM six-petalled, unequal, beneath. Capsule above three-celled.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

WACHENDORFIA, foliis lineari-ensiformibus plicatis triplinerviis, cauleque villosis, floribus paniculatis.

WACHENDORFIA, with the triple-nerved plicated linear-sword-shaped leaves, and stem villous; and panicled flowers.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A floral leaf.

2. The chives and pointal.

3. The pointal and summit magnified.

4. The seed-bud cut transversely.

The villous-leaved Wachendorfia is not enumerated in Professor Willdenow’s new edition of Species Plantarum, and appears to be a new species. It is very closely allied to W. hirsuta, but differs sufficiently from that species in the shape of the leaves. It is likewise extremely near akin to W. graminea, which, however, is destitute of all pubescence, whilst ours is pubescent all over. Its flowers are yellow, like those of hirsuta and paniculata; it rises to the height of a foot and a half, prospers with the usual treatment of Cape Bulbs; and was communicated to us in flower, in June last, by W. Anderson, botanic gardener to J. Vere, Esq. Kensington Gore, where it flowers in great perfection, and increases pretty readily by the roots.

PLATE CCCXCIX.

COMMELINA TUBEROSA.

_Tuberous-rooted Commelina._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA sex-petala. Nectaria quinque, cruciata, filamentis propriis inserta.

BLOSSOM, six-petalled. Nectaries five, cross-shaped, inserted on their proper filaments.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

COMMELINA, corollis æqualibus, foliis sessilibus ovato-lanceolatis, subtus villosis et inde ciliatis, radice tuberosâ.

Commelina tuberosa. _Willd. Sp. Pl. 1. 251.--Dill. Elth. t. 79._

COMMELINA, with equal flowers, sessile ovate-spear-shaped leaves, villose beneath and thence ciliated, and a tuberous root.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement, chives, and pointal.

2. A petal.

3. One of the nectaries.

4. A chive magnified.

5. The seed-bud and pointal, ummit magnified.

The herbaceous genus Commelina is a very singular one; and many of its species are remarkable, not so much for the size, as for the structure and brilliancy of their flowers; which, according to the words of the generic character, ought to have six petals: but the present species appears to have but three petals, the three outer being entirely of the nature of a calyx; and effectually answering the purposes of one.

The tuberous-rooted Commelina is a native of Mexico, and in this country requires the treatment of a hot-house herbaceous plant. It is an old, but not common inhabitant of the British gardens; thrives well in rich earth, and is propagated by dividing the tubers of its root, when in a quiescent state; at which period much water is particularly inimical to it.

The genus Commelina can only be distinguished from Tradescantia when the flowers are open; but nevertheless differs very sufficiently, not only in having double the number of stamina, but more especially in the extraordinary cruciform nectaries.

Our drawing was made from very complete specimens communicated to us by the Hon. W. H. Irby, of Farnham Royal, Bucks.

PLATE CCCC.

EUCALYPTUS RESINIFERA.

_Resinous Eucalyptus._

CLASS XII. ORDER I.

_ICOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ About Twenty Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX superus persistens truncatus, ante anthesin tectus _operculo_ integerrimo deciduo. Corolla nulla. Capsula quadrilocularis, apice dehiscens polysperma.

EMPALEMENT above persistent truncated, before the flowering covered by an entire deciduous _lid_. Blossom none. Capsule four-celled, gaping at the point and many-seeded.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

EUCALYPTUS, operculo conico tereti coriaceo calyce duplo longiori, umbellis lateralibus solitariis. _Smith in Linn. Tr. 3. p. 284.--Willd. Sp. Pl. 2. 977._

EUCALYPTUS, with a conical columnar leathery lid twice the length of the empalement, and lateral solitary umbels.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A bud in its infant state.

2. The calyptra or lid, when in perfection.

3. A chive magnified.

4. The pointal and seed-bud.

This species of the genus Eucalyptus, a genus well characterized from the singular operculum, which, instead of a corolla, defends the infantile fructification from external injuries, is a native of New South Wales; and was introduced, by seeds from that country, into our gardens, along with some other Eucalypti, several years ago; but has never flowered in Britain until the present summer, in Lady de Clifford’s collection at Paddington, where our drawing was made in July last.

It is a shrub of considerable size, and handsome growth and foliage; and its younger shoots droop considerably, after the very elegant manner so much admired in the weeping willow.

But the most singular trait in the plant is its tardy and protracted mode of flowering. It has already shown flowers, which it will not expand until next July: they are scarce half the size they will then be, and have upon the tip of the large calyptra one of a far smaller size, but similar in shape, and which will soon fall off, as will also the large one, a little previous to the expansion of the stamina next July.

It requires a great deal of root-room, and rich earth; is a very hardy green-house plant, and has hitherto been propagated by imported seeds only.

PLATE CCCCI.

SERRATULA SPICATA.

_Spiked-flowered Saw-wort._

CLASS XIX. ORDER I.

_SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA ÆQUALIS._ Tips united. Æqual Polygamy.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX subcylindricus, imbricatus, muticus.

EMPALEMENT nearly cylindrical, imbricated, without awns.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

SERRATULA, foliis linearibus, basi ciliatis, floribus sessilibus lateralibus spicatis, caule simplici. _Gmel. Syst. Nat. 2. 1185.--Ait. Hort. Kew. 3. 138._

SERRATULA, with linear leaves, ciliated at the base, sessile lateral spiked flowers, and a simple stem.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A radical leaf.

2. The empalement spread open.

3. A floret.

4. The same, cut open.

5. The seed-bud and pointal.

The Serratula spicata is a native of Carolina; but has been cultivated in the gardens of this country ever since the year 1732; notwithstanding which it is by no means a frequent plant in collections; which I should conceive arises from its being rather difficult to increase.

Although a syngenesious plant, its root is of the tuberous kind; which is a peculiarity almost unparalleled in that extensive class. The flowering-stems shoot up late in spring, and are chiefly simple: they rise to the height of one or two feet, furnished with long linear leaves; the uppermost of which are gradually shortened, and they are all more or less ciliated near the base; but in this respect they are either liable to differ very considerably, or there are several varieties (perhaps species) of the plant. There is likewise another strikingly singular trait in the character of this Serratula: the flowers commence opening at the top of the spike first, and continue flowering downwards; instead of upwards, in the usual manner; which is a circumstance I cannot recollect having seen in any other plants; except Agave virginica and Allium descendens. Cultivators usually suppose the name of the last-mentioned plant to apply to its roots striking deep into the earth: but this we apprehend is an erroneous supposition; for it is clearly allusive to its perverted mode of flowering.

The spiked-flowered Saw-wort flowers in July, loves a light soil in the open air; and is propagated, although slowly, by parting its roots after the stems die down.

Gmelin queries, and with propriety, in his edition of _Systema Naturæ_ above cited, whether S. spicata, and S. squarrosa, (another North American species,) are not generically distinct from the other Serratulæ.

Our drawing was made from plants in the collection of Lady de Clifford, at Paddington.

PLATE CCCCII.

CLEMATIS FLORIDA.

_Large-flowered Virgin’s Bower._

CLASS XIII. ORDER VI.

_POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA._ Many Chives. Many Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX nullus. Petala quatuor, rarius quinque. Semina caudata.

EMPALEMENT none. Petals four, rarely five. Seeds tailed.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

CLEMATIS, foliis decompositis, foliolis binatis ternatisque, petalis ovatis. _Willd. Sp. Pl. 2. 1287._

CLEMATIS, with decompound leaves, leaflets in twos and threes, and egg-shaped petals.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A petal.

2. The chives and pointals.

3. The pointals.

The large-flowered Virgin’s Bower was introduced into the English gardens, in the year 1776, from Japan; of which country it is a native; and possesses by much the largest and most showy flowers in the whole genus.

Although introduced so long since, it is not often met with. Our drawing was made from very fine plants in the collection of Messrs. Colvill, Nurserymen in the King’s Road, in the month of July last; where they made an exceeding fine appearance.

Like many of the Japanese plants, it is found capable of resisting the severity of our ordinary winters, without receiving much injury.

It thrives best when trained against a wall or other fence, planted in rich soil; and is usually propagated by laying down the lowest branches in a careful manner; which take root in due time, and may then be safely separated from the mother plant.

PLATE CCCCIII.

IPOMÆA GRANDIFLORA.

_Great-flowered Ipomæa._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX quinquefidus. Corolla infundibuliformis longa, limbo plicato quinquefido aut quinquedentato. Stigma capitatum. Capsula trilocularis polysperma. _Uster’s Juss. Gen. Pl. 149._

EMPALEMENT five-cleft. Blossom funnel-shaped long, with a five-cleft or five-dentated border. Summit headed. Capsule three-celled, with many seeds in each cell.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

IPOMÆA, foliis cordatis acuminatis integerrimis, pedunculis subunifloris.

IPOMÆA, with heart-shaped acuminated very entire leaves, and chiefly one-flowered peduncles.

CONVOLVULUS _grandiflorus_, foliis cordatis ovatis obtusiusculis integerrimis, pedunculis subbifloris, calycibus coriaceis, caule petiolisque pubescentibus. _Linn. Supp. Pl. 136.--Willd. Sp. Pl. 1. 859._

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement.

2. The tube of the flower cut open, to show the structure and insertion of the chives.

3. The pointal.

4. A capsule nearly ripe, cut horizontally and lifted up to show the seeds.

This magnificent species of Ipomæa (the Convolvulus grandiflorus of authors) was obligingly communicated to us in bloom in the month of September, by A. B. Lambert, Esq. who thinks that its root will only prove an annual one. If this indeed should eventually be the case, it will cause it to recede in a material manner from the Convolvulus grandiflorus as described in the Supplementum Plantarum, and consequently in Willdenow’s Species Plantarum, which is there said to be an arborescent species: from C. grandiflorus it should also appear to differ, in its more pointed leaves and solitary peduncles; and likewise in having a stigma agreeing altogether in structure with the genus Ipomæa; which latter circumstance has occasioned us to separate it from Convolvulus, and transfer it to Ipomæa; because the conformation of the stigma in those extensive genera, often (but we fear not always) affords the most satisfactory characters for discrimination. All their species which we have examined, (and they have been very numerous,) possibly might be united into one genus, without committing much outrage against nature, or the natural affinities of her vegetable kingdom.

PLATE CCCCIV.

MORÆA MINIATA.

_Red-lead-coloured Moræa._

CLASS III. ORDER I.

_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA hexapetala; petala tria interiora patentia; angustiora. Stigma trifidum.

BLOSSOM six-petalled, the three interior ones spreading. Summit trifid.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

MORÆA, monadelphia, scapo tereti ramoso, foliis lineari-ensiformibus, caulinis spathaceis, petalis expansis sub-æqualibus ovalibus.

MORÆA, monadelphous, with a round branched scape, leaves linear-sword-shaped, stem ones spathaceous, and petals expanded nearly equal and oval.

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 same magnified.

5. The monadelphous chives spread open.

In vain have we turned over all the multifarious works of Jacquin, and many other publications, in search of information concerning this elegant plant: for our labour has not been rewarded with the least success. As a species, therefore, we conceive it to be entirely new; and in its generic characters, by no means destitute of botanical importance. With Moræa we have placed it, because it perhaps best agrees with that genus; yet cannot satisfactorily associate it with Moræa tricuspis (Vieussieuxia De la Roche) and its affinities. In its monadelphous stamina it approaches Sisyrinchium and Ferraria; and its flat red flowers remind us of the anomalous Ixia Chinensis[D].

Our drawing was made from the Clapham collection, about the same time that Iris Pavonia of our 364th plate was drawn. It requires the same treatment as that splendid plant, and is a native of the same country: but we fear it is not at present to be found alive in Britain.

[D] This plant, after having been arranged under the several genera, Ixia, Moræa, and Ferraria, is now established as a new genus, by the name of Pardanthus, in the second number of Annals of Botany, just published.

PLATE CCCCV.

PRIMULA DENTIFLORA.

_Toothed-flowered Primula._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX tubulosus quinquedentatus persistens. Corolla tubulosa quinqueloba, fauce perviâ. Capsula apice decemvalvis. _Uster’s Juss. Gen. Pl. 108._

EMPALEMENT tubulose five-toothed persistent. Blossom tubulose five-lobed, with a pervious throat. Capsule at the apex ten-valved.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

PRIMULA, foliis cordatis crenato-lobatis prærugosis, corollis acute dentatis.

PRIMULA, with heart-shaped crenatedly lobed very rough leaves, and sharply dentated flowers.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement.

2. A blossom laid open, to show the insertion and structure of the chives.

3. The seed-bud and pointal.

4. The same magnified.

The species of the favourite genus Primula which we have here represented, is a very elegant one; and greatly resembles P. cortusifolia, which is figured on our 7th plate; but differs from it in the extraordinary denticulations of the flowers; which we have been assured are a constant and permanent character of the plant, and, if so, affords an excellent and decisive mark of specific distinction, and at the same time a trivial name of undeniable goodness. We have not been able to ascertain with any kind of certainty its native place of growth. It was communicated to us in bloom in the month of September last, from the select collection of Lady de Clifford, at Paddington, and is found to be a hardy plant, and to succeed with the treatment of the other Primulæ; that is, as an alpine plant in bog earth, and a small portion of loam; and protected in summer from the mid-day and afternoon, but not the morning or evening sun. It is propagated by parting the roots in autumn; and as a new and at the same time beautiful Primula, it cannot fail to be acceptable to all our subscribers.

PLATE CCCCVI.

APONOGETON MONOSTACHYON.

_Simple-spiked Aponogeton._

CLASS XI. ORDER IV.

_DODECANDRIA TETRAGYNIA._ Twelve Chives. Four Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

AMENTUM e squamis compositum. Calyx nullus. Corolla nulla. Capsulæ 4, trispermæ.

CATKIN composed of scales. Empalement none. Blossom none. Capsules 4, three-seeded.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

APONOGETON, spicâ simplici, foliis cordato-ovalibus. _Willd. Sp. Pl. 2. 927._

APONOGETON, with a simple spike, and heart-oval shaped leaves.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The chives detached.

2. The pointals detached.

3. The same magnified.

Four species only of this singular genus have hitherto been enumerated by authors: viz. the present one from the East Indies; crispum, a native of Ceylon; and angustifolium and distachyon, from the Cape of Good Hope; the last of which is the most showy, and is figured on our 290th plate.

They are all water plants, and could no more thrive with their roots and natant leaves out of that element than an Aloe or Stapelia could prosper in it: they are therefore, along with other tropical aquatics, cultivated in our hot-houses in troughs or cisterns of rich earth and clear water; in which, consociated with the majestic Nymphææ, the stately Thalia, and the more humble but not less interesting Menyanthes indica, they produce a most fragrant and desirable appearance; that perhaps is indebted for some of its charms to the fine contrast formed by the terrestrial exotics which surround them.

In a collection of tropical plants, where a few cisterns of aquatics are judiciously interspersed, the oppressive heat of the stove in which they grow, is as it were delusively alleviated, “in the mind’s eye,” by the simple, yet cooling sight of the little pools of water in which they float. Few are the number of observers who contemplate them without imbibing pleasure. This unquestionably arises from the strong but agreeable contrast that is exhibited to the eye, by the happy junction of the productions of the waters with those of the earth. They are vegetables of widely different orders--productions of very different natures--and inhabitants of elements diametrically opposite.

The simple-spiked Aponogeton produces roundish tubers in various parts of its shoots; by the transplantation of which the plant is readily and speedily propagated. Our drawing of it was made in July last, at J. Vere’s, Esq. Kensington Gore, in whose collection it thrives very well. We have not as yet seen it in any other.

PLATE CCCCVII.

CALENDULA DENTATA.

_Toothed-leaved Marygold._

CLASS XIX. ORDER IV.

_SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA NECESSARIA._ Tips united. Necessary Polygamy.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

RECEPTACULUM nudum. Pappus nullus. Calyx polyphyllus, subæqualis. Semina disci utplurimum membranacea.

RECEPTACLE naked. Pappus none. Empalement many-leaved, nearly equal. The seeds of the disk chiefly membranous.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

CALENDULA, foliis alternis linearibus remote et acute dentatis; caule fruticoso decumbente.

MARYGOLD, with alternate linear remotely and acutely dentated leaves, and a decumbent shrubby stem.

Calendula dentata. _Donn’s Hort. Cantab. ed. 3. 163._

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement.

2. A floret of the circumference.

3. A floret of the disk.

4. The same laid open and magnified, to show the situation of the chives.

5. The pointal, with the summit detached and magnified.

Although this species of Calendula appears to have been introduced to the British gardens so long since as the year 1790, from the Cape of Good Hope, its native country; I do not find it enumerated either in Mr. Aiton’s Hortus Kewensis or Gmelin’s edition of Systema Naturæ; but it will in all probability be taken up in Willdenow’s Species Plantarum, when he arrives at that part of it which is to include the genus Calendula.

It is well known in the gardens by the applicable name of dentata, but is not a common plant,--although, from the beauty and size of its flowers, highly worthy of general cultivation: its branches are weak, yet shrubby; and require support.

It is a green-house plant, and is propagated by cuttings in the usual way. Our drawing was made from the Clapham collection in July last.

PLATE CCCCVIII.

DAHLIA PINNATA.

_Pinnated Dahlia._

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

_SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA._ Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX duplex. Corolla radiata, radiis lacinias calycis numero æquantibus: corollulæ pedicellatæ. Receptaculum paleaceum. Stigmata plumosa.

EMPALEMENT double. Blossom radiated, with the rays equalling in number the segments of the empalement: the florets pedicelled. Receptacle chaffy. Tips plumose.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

DAHLIA, foliis oppositis, impari-pinnatis; pinnulis quinque, ovatis, crenato-dentatis. _Cav. Ic. 1. 57. tab. 80._

_Dahlia_, with leaves opposite, pinnated with an odd one; the pinnules five, ovate, and notch-dentated.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A young flower with the peduncle and empalement.

2. One of the radiating florets with its pedicel.

3. A floret of the disk.

4. The same spread open, to show the chives and pointal.

5. The pointal detached, with the summit magnified.

The genus Dahlia was first established by the celebrated botanist Cavanilles[E], (in honour of Andrew Dahl, a Swedish botanist, not Dale an Englishman,) for three lofty, thick-rooted, perennial plants, natives of the distant regions of Peru; but all of which we have had the recent pleasure of seeing alive in the overflowing gardens of our own happy country. They are extremely desirable and showy plants; and none of them more so than the present one; which was raised from seeds sent from Madrid last spring, by the Right Hon. Lady Holland, and flowered last September and October, in the open ground, in her Ladyship’s collection at Holland House, Kensington; where our drawing was lately made. It has acquired the stately height of near eight feet, with a circumference of three; and makes indeed a truly specious appearance: but we do not expect it will ripen its seeds; the season being too far advanced to encourage any reasonable hope of that nature.

The best mode of propagation should seem to be that of dividing its somewhat tuberous roots, after the stems die down. As to treatment, we see no valid reason why it, and both the other Dahliæ, (the coccinea and rosea,) should not be treated as hardy herbaceous plants; placed in rich earth and a warm situation. But as they are both rare and valuable, it may at present be safer to consider them as green-house plants, keeping them in very large pots and well watered, until their stems show symptoms of dying down; when moisture must be administered with a sparing hand.

There are considerable reasons for thinking that the pinnated Dahlia will hereafter be raised with double flowers, because the figure in Cavanilles’ Icones, above cited, represents them nearly semi-double; and the doubling of radiated syngenesious plants is well known to horticulturists to be a circumstance of pretty frequent occurrence.

[E] The public have now to regret the loss of this valuable botanist; they are deprived of him: he died in May last at Madrid, aged 59.

PLATE CCCCIX.

PROTEA SCOLYMUS.

_Smooth-leaved Protea._

CLASS IV. ORDER I.

_TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Four Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA quadrifida sive quadripetala. Antheræ lineares insertæ petalis infra apicem. Calyx proprius nullus. Nux unisperma supera.

BLOSSOM four-cleft or four-petaled. Tips linear, inserted on the petals below the apex. Empalement proper, none. Nut one-seeded above.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

PROTEA, foliis lanceolatis acutis capituloque terminali rotundo glabris.

Protea Scolymus. _Willd. Sp. Pl. 1. 522._--_Schrad. Sert. Hann. tab. 20._--_Ait. Hort. Kew. 1. 127._

PROTEA, with lance-shaped acute smooth leaves and a round terminal smooth head of flowers.

LEUCODENDRON (_Scolymocephalum_) foliis lanceolatis, floribus subrotundis, caule fruticoso ramoso. _Linn. Sp. Pl. 2. 153._

LEPIDOCARPODENDRON acaulon, ramis numerosis e terra excrescens, calyce floris immaturo extus e rubro et flavo variegato, intus flavo. _Boerh. Lugb. 2. p. 192. tab. 192._

SCOLYMOCEPHALUS africanus, fruticis æthiopici coniferi Breynii foliis, capite majori squamato. _Raj. H. 3. 10._

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A floret detached.

2. A petal with its tip magnified.

3. The seed-bud and pointal.

The Protea Scolymus grows spontaneously on the Tiger mountain at the Cape of Good Hope; but has long been an inhabitant of European conservatories, although a rare one. It was well known to several of the old botanists, who appear to have differed much concerning the generical appellations which they thought proper to bestow upon it; as will appear on consulting the synonyms above. They made several genera of Proteæ; but the botanists of later times have melted them all down (we fear injudiciously) into one great genus: and Schrader has even added Lambertia to Protea; and figured it in his Sertum Hannoverianum, under the name of Protea nectarina; thereby alluding to the sweet juice which abounds in the tubes of its flowers:--melliflua would have been a still more expressive term. The smooth-leaved Protea requires the same treatment as the rest of the genus, and is a very fine species, producing its flowers in May and June. Our figure was taken at the Clapham collection.

PLATE CCCCX.

CYNANCHUM UNDATUM.

_Waved Cynanchum._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA._ Five Chives. Two Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CONTORTA. Nectarium cylindricum, quinquedentatum.

CONTORTED. Honey-cup cylindrical, five-toothed.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

CYNANCHUM, caule volubili, foliis cordatis oblongis obtusis cum acumine undatisque, umbellis axillaribus subproliferis.

CYNANCHUM, with a twining stem, heart-shaped oblong blunt leaves, but with a sudden point, and waved, axillary somewhat proliferous umbels.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement.

2. The blossom spread open.

3. The outer scale of the honey-cup.

4. The parts of fructification magnified.

5. The inner scale of the honey-cup.

6. The outside of the same.

7. The seed-bud, shaft, summit and chives magnified.

The Waved Cynanchum is more remarkable for novelty than beauty; yet, as an addition to our volubilous exotics, it possesses sufficient elegance to render it worthy our attention: especially as climbing plants have of late years become quite fashionable in most of the best conservatories in the vicinity of London.

As a species, we conceive it to be perfectly nondescript, although it should seem to possess several characters in common with Cynanchum reticulatum, and C. undulatum of Willdenow, &c.; both of which are known to us, but are described as having ovate, or oblong, not heart-shaped leaves. C. reticulatum is also a native of the same country, the East Indies; from whence seeds of the undatum were brought in the year 1803 by Captain Thomas Hardwicke; and were raised in the collection of the Marquis of Blandford, at White Knights, Berks, where they flowered last July; when that nobleman obligingly communicated to us the specimen from which the annexed figure was made.

The Waved Cynanchum is a hot-house plant, and requires nearly the same treatment as Pergularia minor of our 184th plate.

PLATE CCCCXI.

PSORALEA SPICATA.

_Spiked-flowered Psoralea._

CLASS XVII. ORDER IV.

_DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA._ Two Brotherhoods. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX longitudine leguminis. Stamina diadelpha. Legumen monospermum subrostratum evalve.

EMPALEMENT the length of the pod. Chives diadelphous. Pod one-seeded roundish and valveless.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

PSORALEA, foliolis obovatis recurvato-mucronatis subtus punctatis, spica terminali oblonga. _Willd. Sp. Pl. 3. 1345._

PSORALEA, with leaflets inversely egg-shaped, recurvedly mucronated and dotted beneath, and an oblong terminal spike of flowers.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement.

2. A standard.

3. One of the wings.

4. The keel.

5. The chives and pointal.

6. The seed-bud and pointal.

The spiked-flowered Psoralea is a shrubby plant, and rises to the height of a foot or two; producing its spikes of flowers in the months of July and August, at the ends of its branches. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and in this country is found to succeed very well in any green-house which has a flue to keep out the frost: and is propagated by seeds, and also by cuttings if carefully managed. Although not a very newly-introduced plant, it is certainly not a frequent one in our gardens; indeed we do not recollect having ever seen it in any collection, except the Nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames, Old Brompton; where our drawing was made some time since; and where it was considered and treated as a new species: which, however, as appears by our synonym above given, is not the case.

PLATE CCCCXII.

CALENDULA VISCOSA.

_Viscous Marygold._

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

_SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA NECESSARIA._ Tips united. Necessary Polygamy.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

RECEPTACULUM nudum. Pappus nullus. Calyx polyphyllus, subæqualis. Semina disci utplurimum membranacea.

RECEPTACLE naked. Pappus none. Empalement many-leaved, nearly equal. The seeds of the disk chiefly membranous.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

CALENDULA, viscosa, foliis alternis lineari-cuneatis pinnatifido-dentatis, calycibus lucidis tomentoso-ciliatis, caule fruticoso debili.

MARYGOLD, viscous, with alternate linear-cuneated pinnatifid-toothed leaves, shining tomentosely-ciliated empalements, and a weak shrubby stem.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement.

2. A floret of the ray.

3. A floret of the disk.

4. The same magnified.

5. The corolla spread open and magnified.

6. The seed-bud and pointal.

The figure annexed represents a new and very ornamental species of the genus Calendula, which we lately discovered flowering beautifully, amongst many other rare plants in the charming collection of exotics at George Hibbert’s, esq. Clapham; where it was lately raised from seeds, sent to him, we believe, from the Cape of Good Hope, of which country we understand it is a native.

It is a shrubby species, and possesses much of the growth and habit of Calendula dentata of our last number; and indeed in most things, except its considerable viscosity and the colour of its flowers, exhibits a very great similitude to that species; and will be found to succeed with the same treatment and mode of propagation; but is in every respect a much more desirable plant.

PLATE CCCCXIII.

GERANIUM HYMENODES.

_Ternate-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 beaked, five berries.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

GERANIUM, pedunculis multifloris, foliis obtusis inciso-dentatis, inferioribus ternatis, superioribus trilobis, caule erecto.

GERANIUM, with many-flowered peduncles, obtuse gash-dentated leaves, the inferior ones ternate, the superior three-lobed, and an erect stem.

GERANIUM (_trifolium_) caule herbaceo crasso ramoso, foliis radicalibus ternatis lobatis, caulinis oppositis simplicibus lobatis, petalis venosis, superioribus maculatis. _Cav. Diss. 4. p. 223. tab. 97. fig. 3._

ERODIUM hymenodes. _L’Herit. Geran. tab. 4._

ERODIUM hymenodes. _Willd. Spec. Pl. 3. 635._

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement and parts of fructification.

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

3. The seed-bud and pointals.

4. The same magnified.

The ternate-leaved Geranium belongs to L’Heritier’s genus Erodium. It is a native of mountainous, rocky situations, in the northern parts of Africa; but has been cultivated in most of our best collections of exotics several seasons; yet is not so frequently met with as it deserves to be, on account of the unusual delicacy in the veining and spotting of its flowers; which, from their size and number, make a good appearance; and are produced in succession most part of the year. The plant itself is of very humble, scarcely shrubby growth; yet rises somewhat higher than the real tuberous species; to which, however, in its contracted, thickened stems, it betrays a considerable affinity. It is propagated readily by seeds, and likewise by cuttings; and stands out in the open ground in mild winters uninjured, although it is generally killed in severe ones; which renders it necessary to preserve a supply of it in the conservatory.

PLATE CCCCXIV.

CRASSULA OBLIQUA.

_Oblique-leaved Crassula._

CLASS V. ORDER V.

_PENTANDRIA PENTAGYNIA._ Five Chives. Five Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX pentaphyllus. Petala quinque. Squamæ quinque nectariferæ ad basin germinis.

EMPALEMENT five-leaved. Petals five. Five honey-bearing pores at the base of the germ.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

CRASSULA, foliis ovatis obliquis integerrimis acutis distinctis, margine cartilagineis. _Willd. Sp. Pl. 1. 1553._--_Ait. Hort. Kew. 1. 395._

CRASSULA, with leaves egg-shaped oblique very entire acute distinct, and cartilaginous on the margin.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A flower with its empalement.

2. The seed-bud and pointals.

3. A detached pointal magnified.

Although the genus Crassula is a very extensive one, and possesses many species which are remarkable either for beauty, singularity, or fragrance; the one which we have here the satisfaction of illustrating is, we think, by far the most ornamental; and is at the same time both a stately and a singular plant. It is very succulent, and requires the heat of the hot-house to make it bloom; but prospers best, like all other succulent plants of the more tender kind, on the shelves of a dry stove. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and is propagated with facility by cuttings; prefers a light loamy soil, and a dry treatment; and produces its large bunches of flowers late in the year; which are very showy and of considerable duration, particularly if removed into the green-house while in bloom, and at that time more liberally watered.

The oblique-leaved Crassula is an old inhabitant of our gardens, but not a frequent one. Our drawing was made from a fine specimen obligingly sent us by Thomas Evans, esq. from his fine collection at Stepney, last August.

PLATE CCCCXV.

CANTUA CORONOPIFOLIA.

_Coronopus-leaved Cantua._

CLASS V. ORDER I.

_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX 3-5-fidus. Corolla infundibuliformis. Stigma trifidum. Capsula trilocularis, trivalvis, polysperma. Semina alata.

EMPALEMENT from three-to five-cleft. Blossom funnel-shaped. Summit trifid. Capsule three-celled, three-valved, many-seeded. The seeds winged.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

CANTUA, floribus terminalibus, staminibus longitudine corollæ, foliis pinnatifidis.

CANTUA, with terminal flowers, chives the length of the blossom, and feather-cleft leaves.

CANTUA (coronopifolia). _Willd. Sp. Pl. 1. 879._

POLEMONIUM (rubrum), foliis pinnatifidis linearibus, floribus racemosis pendulis. _Linn. Sp. Pl. ed. 3. p. 231._

IPOMEA (rubra). _Linn. Syst. Veg. 171._

IPOMOPSIS (elegans), minutim pubescens, foliis lineari-pinnatifidis. _Mich. Fl. Boreali-Americ. 1. 142._

QUAMOCLIT pinnatum erectum, floribus in thyrsum digestis. _Dill. Hort. Elth. 321. tab. 241. fig. 312._

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement.

2. The blossom spread open, with the chives attached.

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

Although the Coronopus-leaved Cantua was cultivated in Sherard’s celebrated garden at Eltham, in the time of Dillenius, and is figured by him, in the _Hort. Elth._ above cited, as a species of _Quamoclit_, it has been an entire stranger to our modern gardens until very lately; having no doubt long since perished in all the old collections.

Who the reintroducer of this very elegant plant is, we have yet to learn: but the beautiful specimen here figured, was obligingly communicated to us by the Marquis of Blandford, from White Knights, Berks, about the end of November last.

It is a native of Carolina, and sufficiently hardy, we should think, to resist the cold of our ordinary winters: its root is herbaceous, and the plant admits of increase by parting the same, in spring or autumn.

Writers have differed in a very remarkable manner concerning the Genus to which they should refer this plant; and Linnæus himself seems to have been as undetermined as any of them concerning it; having at different times given it as a _Polemonium_, and an _Ipomea_; as will appear among our synonyms above. Michaux has called it _Ipomopsis_: and another foreign writer, whose work we have not got, has given it the appellation of _Noothea Pulchella_: but Willdenow has added it to the genus _Cantua_, with which we conceive, in our humble opinion, it sufficiently accords; and have therefore ventured to follow him in his arrangement of it.

PLATE CCCCXVI.

SALVIA CHAMÆDRIFOLIA.

_Germander-leaved Sage._

CLASS II. ORDER I.

_DIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Two Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA inæqualis. Filamenta tranverse pedicello affixa.

BLOSSOM unequal. Chives affixed transversely to a pedicel.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

SALVIA, foliis ovalibus rugosis obsolete crenatis, verticillis terminalibus nudis quadrifloris, staminibus corolla brevioribus.

SAGE, with oval rough obsoletely notched leaves, terminal naked four-flowered whorls, and chives shorter than the blossom.

SALVIA Chamædrifolia. _Donn’s Hort. Cantab. p. 7._

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement.

2. The blossom with the chives attached.

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

Our drawing was made from plants in the Hibbertian collection at Clapham last autumn: but we have also seen this Sage in other places; particularly at Cambridge; and know it to be the Salvia Chamædrifolia of the Hortus Cantabrigiensis ed. 3.: but we do not find that name in any other publication within our reach.

Mr. Donn marks it as a green-house perennial, and gives Spain as its native country, but with a note of interrogation; and adds that it flowers in July and August; and that it was introduced into our gardens in the year 1798.

We believe that A. B. Lambert, Esq. was the first introducer of it, and that gentleman thinks he received the seeds of it from Spain. The first time of our seeing it was at J. Vere’s, Esq. in the autumn of 1802, where it was cultivated as a green-house shrub, and by the name of S. citrina, a name that well expresses the charming odour of its leaves when gently rubbed; which not a little resembles the pleasing, well-known scent of Lemon Thyme.

It is propagated by cuttings in the usual way: its stem and branches are very slender, but shrubby, and arise to the height of two or three feet. The flowers are terminal, large, showy, and posses a beautiful colour of the deepest blue.

PLATE CCCCXVII.

CROTOLARIA PULCHELLA.

_Ternate Larger-flowered Crotolaria._

CLASS XVII. ORDER IV.

_DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA._ Two Brotherhoods. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

LEGUMEN turgidum, inflatum, pedicellatum. Filamenta connata cum fissura dorsali.

POD turgid, inflated, pedicelled. Chives conjoined with a dorsal fissure.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

CROTOLARIA, frutescens, ramulis teretibus sericeis, foliis ternatis, foliolis lineari-lanceolatis acutis petiolis sesquilongioribus, subtus subpilosis.

CROTOLARIA, shrubby, with cylindrical silky branches, and ternate leaves, with the leaflets linear-lanced acute-once, and-an-half the length of the foot-stalks, and somewhat hairy beneath.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement.

2. The standard.

3. One of the wings.

4. The keel.

5. The chives.

6. The seed-bud and pointal.

The species of Crotolaria here represented, may perhaps be the “C. (pilosa) foliis ternatis pilosis, foliolis mucronatis, floribus terminalibus,” of Thunberg’s Prodromus: but from so insufficient a character we have not ventured to determine it to be that plant; having rather chosen to give it as a new species by the name of Pulchella; which it well deserves.

It is a green-house plant, a native we understand of the Cape; and arises with a straight, but little branched, woody stem, to the height of about 3 feet: the branches are cylindrical and silky: the leaves alternate and ternate, inclining to hoary, with pubescent and channelled foot-stalks: the leaflets are lance-shaped, or linear-lanced, once and an half, or sometimes twice the length of their common foot-stalk, and furnished beneath with minute, close-pressed hairs: the flowers are in a terminal racemus, large, yellow, and showy; and are produced in the month of July.

Hitherto we have seen this plant only at the Nursery of Messrs. Colvill, in the King’s Road, where our drawing was made. In favourable seasons the plant will probably ripen its seeds in this country: and at other times we have no doubt of its being capable of propagation by cuttings in the usual way; although we do not know that this has yet actually been done.

PLATE CCCCXVIII.

GENTIANA CATESBÆI.

_Catesby’s Gentian._

CLASS V. ORDER II.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

COROLLA monopetala. Capsula bivalvis, unilocularis; receptaculis duobus longitudinalibus.

BLOSSOM one-petalled. Capsule two-valved, one-celled; with two longitudinal receptacles.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

GENTIANA, foliis remotis oppositis ternatisque, corollis verticillatis ventricosis decemfidis, laciniis alternis inæqualiter bifidis lacerisque; calycibus minute ciliatis.

GENTIAN, with remote opposite and ternate leaves, whorled ten-cleft bellied flowers, with their alternate segments unequally bifid and torn; and minutely ciliated empalements.

GENTIANA (_Catesbæi_), corollis campanulatis ventricosis extus cæruleis, foliis lanceolatis remotis. _Walt. Fl. Carolin. 109._

GENTIANA (_Saponaria_), corollis quinquefidis campanulatis ventricosis verticillatis, foliis ovato-lanceolatis trinerviis. _Willd. Sp. Pl. 1. 1338._

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement.

2. The blossom spread open.

3. The pointal.

The beautiful species of Gentiana here represented, does not appear to be noticed either in Willdenow’s edition of Species Plantarum, or the Hortus Kewensis of Mr. Aiton; except by the former of these authors, as being synonymous with G. Saponaria; from which as a species we conceive it distinct: neither do we find it enumerated in Mr. Donn’s Hortus Cantabrigiensis: but it is described by Walter in his Flora Caroliniana, under the name of Catesbæi; and is known in several of the principal gardens in the neighbourhood of London by that appellation; which we have therefore thought it more eligible to adopt, than run any risk of occasioning confusion by applying a new one.

The plant is perennial and herbaceous, a native of Carolina, and is propagated by parting its roots in autumn, or early spring; but requires a moist sheltered situation, and peat earth in the open air, to make it flourish.