SANSEVIERA CARNEA.

Flesh-coloured Sanseviera.

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

CROCUS BIFLORUS.

Yellow-bottomed White Crocus.

CLASS III. ORDER I.

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

POLYGALA STIPULACEA.

Stipuled Milkwort.

CLASS XVII. ORDER III.

DIADELPHIA OCTANDRIA. Two Brotherhoods. Eight Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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In the structure of the flowers this species agrees exactly with the common Polygala Heisteria, which Linnæus originally made a distinct genus from Polygala; but afterwards united them.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.

IRIS PAVONIA.

The Peacock-Iris.

CLASS III. ORDER I.

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

Iris Pavonia Willd. Sp. Pl. I. 238.

Jacq. Coll. Sup. p. 8, Descriptione optimâ.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

SCILLA SIBERICA.

Siberian Squill.

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

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.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

ANAGALLIS GRANDIFLORA.

Great-flowered Pimpernel.

CLASS V. ORDER I.

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

MELANTHIUM MASSONIÆFOLIUM.

Massonia-leaved Melanthium.

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

HEXANDRIA TRIGYNIA. Six Chives. Three Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

EUCOMIS PURPUREOCAULIS.

Purple-stalked Eucomis.

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

POLYGALA TERETIFOLIA.

Cylindric-leaved Milkwort.

CLASS XVII. ORDER III.

DIADELPHIA OCTANDRIA. Two Brotherhoods. Eight Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

POLYGALA ALOPECUROIDES.

Fox-tail Milkwort.

CLASS XVII. ORDER III.

DIADELPHIA OCTANDRIA. Two Brotherhoods. Eight Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

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.

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.

MIMOSA PURPUREA.

Soldier Bush Mimosa.

CLASS XXIII. ORDER I.

POLYGAMIA MONOECIA. Various Dispositions. Upon one Plant.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

PÆONIA SUFFRUTICOSA.

Shrubby Pæony.

CLASS XIII. ORDER V.

POLYANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. Many Chives. Five Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

Pæonia officinalis. Thunb. Fl. Jap. 230.—Loureir. Fl. Cochin. 1. 343.

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.

XERANTHEMUM PROLIFERUM.

Proliferous Eternal Flower.

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

Xeranthemum proliferum. Mant. Pl. 467.—Gmel. Syst. Nat. 2. 1218.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

XERANTHEMUM BRACTEATUM.

Waved-leaved Eternal Flower.

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

NEOTTIA MINOR.

The Lesser Neottia.

CLASS XX. ORDER I.

GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA. Chives on the Pointal. Two Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

ALLIUM CHAMÆ-MOLY.

The Dwarf Moly.

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

Allium Chamæ-Moly. Willd. Sp. Pl. 2. 83.—Cavan. Ic. 3. p. 4. t. 207. f. 1.?

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

GERANIUM FISSIFOLIUM.

Cloven-leaved Geranium.

CLASS XVI. ORDER IV.

MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Threads united. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

RHODODENDRON PONTICUM, var. deciduum.

Deciduous Purple Rhododendron.

CLASS X. ORDER I.

DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Ten Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

ACHYRANTHES PORRIGENS.

Divaricating Achyranthes.

CLASS V. ORDER I.

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

SARRACENIA FLAVA.

Yellow Side-saddle Flower.

CLASS XIII. ORDER I.

POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Many Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

Sarracenia flava, Walt. Fl. Carol. 153.—Aiton Hort. Kew. 2. 225.—Willd. Sp. Pl. tom. 2. 1150.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

LIPARIA VILLOSA.

Concave-leaved Liparia.

CLASS XVII. ORDER III.

DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Two Brotherhoods. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

PITTOSPORUM UNDULATUM.

Waved-leaved Pittosporum.

CLASS V. ORDER I.

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

XERANTHEMUM VARIEGATUM.

Variegated Eternal Flower.

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

CAMPANULA LACINIATA.

Ragwort-leaved Bell Flower.

CLASS V. ORDER I.

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

ANTHERICUM PUGIONIFORME.

Dagger-leaved Anthericum.

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

XERANTHEMUM RIGIDUM.

Rigid-leaved Eternal Flower.

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

MESEMBRYANTHEMUM INCLAUDENS.

Unclosing-flowered Fig-Marygold.

CLASS XII. ORDER IV.

ICOSANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. Twenty Chives. Five Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

DOMBEYA ERYTHROXYLON.

Saint Helena Red-wood.

CLASS XVI. ORDER VII.

MONADELPHIA DODECANDRIA. Threads united. Twelve Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

AMARYLLIS SPECTABILIS.

Waved-leaved Amaryllis.

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

NYMPHÆA LOTUS.

The Ægyptian Lotus.

CLASS XIII. ORDER I.

POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Many Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

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.

IXIA COLUMNARIS, var. angustifolia.

Columnar-chived Ixia. Narrowed-leaved Var.

CLASS III. ORDER I.

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

FUMARIA FORMOSA.

Beautiful Fumitory.

CLASS XVII. ORDER II.

DIADELPHIA HEXANDRIA. Two Brotherhoods. Six Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The empalement.

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.

MIMOSA LINIFOLIA.

Flax-leaved Mimosa.

CLASS XXIII. ORDER I.

POLYGAMIA MONŒCIA. Various Dispositions upon one Plant.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

ANTHERICUM PANICULATUM.

Panicled Anthericum.

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

CAMPANULA VERSICOLOR.

Various-coloured Bell-flower.

CLASS V. ORDER I.

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

STEWARTIA MARILANDICA.

Maryland Stewartia.

CLASS XVI. ORDER XIII.

MONADELPHIA POLYANDRIA. One Brotherhood. Many Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

WACHENDORFIA VILLOSA.

Villose Wachendorfia.

CLASS III. ORDER I.

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

COMMELINA TUBEROSA.

Tuberous-rooted Commelina.

CLASS III. ORDER I.

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

EUCALYPTUS RESINIFERA.

Resinous Eucalyptus.

CLASS XII. ORDER I.

ICOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA. About Twenty Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

SERRATULA SPICATA.

Spiked-flowered Saw-wort.

CLASS XIX. ORDER I.

SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA ÆQUALIS. Tips united. Æqual Polygamy.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

CLEMATIS FLORIDA.

Large-flowered Virgin’s Bower.

CLASS XIII. ORDER VI.

POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. Many Chives. Many Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

IPOMÆA GRANDIFLORA.

Great-flowered Ipomæa.

CLASS V. ORDER I.

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

MORÆA MINIATA.

Red-lead-coloured Moræa.

CLASS III. ORDER I.

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

PRIMULA DENTIFLORA.

Toothed-flowered Primula.

CLASS V. ORDER I.

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

APONOGETON MONOSTACHYON.

Simple-spiked Aponogeton.

CLASS XI. ORDER IV.

DODECANDRIA TETRAGYNIA. Twelve Chives. Four Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

CALENDULA DENTATA.

Toothed-leaved Marygold.

CLASS XIX. ORDER IV.

SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA NECESSARIA. Tips united. Necessary Polygamy.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

DAHLIA PINNATA.

Pinnated Dahlia.

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

PROTEA SCOLYMUS.

Smooth-leaved Protea.

CLASS IV. ORDER I.

TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

CYNANCHUM UNDATUM.

Waved Cynanchum.

CLASS V. ORDER I.

PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. Five Chives. Two Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

PSORALEA SPICATA.

Spiked-flowered Psoralea.

CLASS XVII. ORDER IV.

DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Two Brotherhoods. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

CALENDULA VISCOSA.

Viscous Marygold.

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA NECESSARIA. Tips united. Necessary Polygamy.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

GERANIUM HYMENODES.

Ternate-leaved Geranium.

CLASS XVI. ORDER IV.

MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Threads united. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

CRASSULA OBLIQUA.

Oblique-leaved Crassula.

CLASS V. ORDER V.

PENTANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. Five Chives. Five Pointals.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

CANTUA CORONOPIFOLIA.

Coronopus-leaved Cantua.

CLASS V. ORDER I.

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

SALVIA CHAMÆDRIFOLIA.

Germander-leaved Sage.

CLASS II. ORDER I.

DIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Two Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

CROTOLARIA PULCHELLA.

Ternate Larger-flowered Crotolaria.

CLASS XVII. ORDER IV.

DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Two Brotherhoods. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

GENTIANA CATESBÆI.

Catesby’s Gentian.

CLASS V. ORDER II.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

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.

It rises with several stems to the height of a foot or upwards: the leaves are opposite, or in threes, remote, lanceolate, stem-clasping, and obscurely three-nerved, with scabrous margins, occasioned by minute, upwardly-directed serrulations, which at the base of the leaf are decurrent, and form four or six roughened lines on the stem: the flowers are irregularly whorled; but the uppermost whorl is by much the largest; each blossom is of a rich deep purple colour, ventricose, and opens very little at the mouth, where it is divided into ten incurving segments, every other of which is of a much paler colour than the rest, broader, unequally bifid, and minutely lacerated: the empalement is five-cleft, and its segments are linear-lance-shaped, with minutely ciliated edges, after the manner of the edges of the leaves.

The living specimen from which our figures were made, was obligingly communicated to us by the Hon. Mr. Irby, of Farnham Royal, Bucks.

GENISTA LUSITANICA.

Portugal Genista.

CLASS XVII. ORDER IV.

DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Two Brotherhoods. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

Scorpius secundus. Clus. Hist. 1. p. 107.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

The Portugal Genista is a very spiny, and almost leafless shrub, of bushy growth; and although very well known to most of the old Botanists, does not appear to have been cultivated in the British gardens until the year 1771; when, according to Mr. Aiton’s Hortus Kewensis, it was introduced by Mrs. Primmet. It is a native of Portugal and Spain, but is sufficiently hardy to resist the cold of our ordinary winters, if planted in a sheltered situation: yet is extremely liable to be injured, or even destroyed, in those which take place with rigour and severity: but as it very frequently produces good seeds, a supply of it is not difficult to be kept up that way. The best time of sowing them is spring, and they will require some slight protection from frost while young.

The plant blooms freely from March till May, and when decorated with its golden flowers, makes a very ornamental appearance in the shrubbery; in which, although it has been so long in cultivation, we cannot help regretting that it but seldom occurs: and we venture to recommend it along with G. germanica (a closely allied species) to the further attention of our cultivating friends.

Like many other shrubby leguminous plants, this Genista is averse to being frequently transplanted; and never suffers the operation of removal with impunity. Let that business therefore, when necessary, be performed with all possible diligence and care. Our figure was taken from plants in the Clapham collection.

GERANIUM FLORIBUNDUM.

Tuberous Many-flowered Geranium.

CLASS XVI. ORDER IV.

MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Threads united. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

Geranium floribundum appears to be not only a nondescript species of the Erodium family of this extensive tribe of plants; but at the same time, a new and brilliant one. Few in number are the species which equal it in beauty: and still more rare are those which can be allowed to surpass it.

It is of extremely humble growth, and its roots are tuberous: from the crowns of which it throws up, in the early part of summer, a considerable number of flowering stems, each adorned with many flowers; whence our specific name of floribundum.

It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and prospers with the same treatment as the other dwarf Geraniums; and is propagated like them, by carefully dividing the tubers of its roots.

Our figure was made from the Clapham collection, which it is well known abounds more in this description of plants, than any other existing in this country.

RENEALMIA CALCARATA.

Upright-flowering Renealmia.

CLASS I. ORDER I.

MONANDRIA MONOGYNIA. One Chive. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

The new and elegant plant here figured was obligingly communicated to us in September last by A. B. Lambert, Esq. who informs us that it had grown vigorously to the height of about three feet in the bark-bed of his hot-house, without showing flowers; but that, on being removed from the tan and placed upon the flue, it soon produced those which we have here delineated; whence it is probable that the check to its growth, occasioned by the mere change of situation, was the cause of its blooming, as in other collections it has not hitherto done it. Mr. L. likewise informs us that its native country is Coromandel, and that it is intended for publication by Dr. Roxburgh under the name of Amomum calcaratum; and showed us a drawing of it, so named, copied from one that was made in the East Indies from a native specimen, and which represents the plant somewhat slenderer and less upright than the individual we have here depicted.

Whoever will carefully investigate and compare our dissected figures of this plant with those which are given with Renealmia nutans on our 360th plate, will not only find that they precisely agree with each other (as much as two distinct species of plants can do), but that both of them very sufficiently correspond with the essential characters of the genus Renealmia: yet both are, no doubt, specifically distinct from Renealmia exaltata; wherefore we have not hesitated to withdraw the present plant from the genus Amomum, from which, independent of its widely different mode of flowering, we believe it to be generically distinct. Neither are the above-mentioned all the species of Renealmia we have a knowledge of; for even in the British gardens (exclusive of those which have not yet been introduced to us alive) we are already acquainted with at least three more. But how far some of these plants are distinct from the four diandrous Globbæ enumerated by Willdenow, and from Schrader’s Zerumbet speciosum, which is a true Renealmia, we are not at present prepared to determine; yet cannot help remarking that the last-mentioned plant should seem to resemble the Globba Japonica of Thunberg;—that our present subject may resemble G. Marantina;—that G. nutans greatly resembles Renealmia nutans; and that at least one of the figures cited by Willdenow for the former in Rumphius, is absolutely the same as R. nutans:—and, lastly, that R. exaltata of Linn. Supp. Pl. possesses, in a very striking and remarkable manner, the extraordinary habit of the remaining Globba uviformis.

As to culture, these are all stove plants, and in this country require the assistance of the tan-bed to make them flourish. Rich earth and great plenty of pot-room are likewise requisite, and also a large portion of water when they are vegetating briskly, but less when they are almost at a stand,—which is sometimes the case,—although they are never perfectly quiescent, as is common in the neighbouring genus Amomum. They are propagated easily by parting their perennial roots.

CROTOLARIA JUNCEA.

Rushy-stalked Crotolaria.

CLASS XVII. ORDER IV.

DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Two Brotherhoods. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

The species of Crotolaria here represented is a native of Malabar and the coast of Coromandel. It was obligingly sent us in bloom last August by the Hon. Mr. Irby, of Farnham Royal, Bucks, and was raised by him from East Indian seeds. Its root is annual; and the plant, in consequence of it, admits of increase by seeds only, which should be sown early on a hot-bed, with the most tender annuals, and the young plants when large enough should be transplanted into separate pots of rich earth; and after they have sufficiently recovered the effects of removal, they should be taken into the hot-house, the assistance of which is requisite to bring them to maturity. They rise with slender and rather rushy stems, which are but slightly branched, to the height of two or three feet, and make a fine appearance when in flower; but they are, like many other tender leguminous plants, very subject to the annoyance of insects, and more especially to that almost indestructible pest of stoves, the red spider; the best mode of destroying which is that of steaming the plants; that is, keeping them well watered, and in a hot and humid air.

Some of our friends conceive this plant to differ from that which is figured in the Botanical Magazine, No. 490. It is true, I found the seed-bud quite silky; and if the full grown pod (which I never saw[F]) should likewise be so, it would certainly be worthy distinguishing from that plant, which is said to have smooth, and therefore, in all probability, naked pods.

GERANIUM LUTEUM.

Dwarf Yellow-flowered Geranium.

CLASS XVI. ORDER IV.

MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Threads united. Ten Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

We have here the pleasure of adding another tuberous-rooted Geranium, not enumerated by Willdenow, to the great variety of that description already given in this work. As a species it appears sufficiently distinct from any of them, although pretty closely allied to that which is delineated in our last number; and also to G. fissifolium of our 378th plate. Its flowers are yellow marked with red, as is frequently the case amongst the tuberous species of this extensive tribe of plants, but of very rare occurrence in the other departments of it.

From the Clapham collection, incomparably rich in this description of plants, our figure was derived, so long since as the summer of the year 1803.

Like its congeners, it is a native of the Cape; requires the treatment of a green-house plant; and is increased, but very slowly, by carefully dividing the tubers of its roots, when quiescent; taking especial care that no moisture comes in contact with the wounded parts, until nature has healed them by drying, and formed what the gardeners call a callus; that is, a dry and hardened external skin.

POLYGALA MICRANTHA.

Small-flowered Milkwort.

CLASS XVII. ORDER III.

DIADELPHIA OCTANDRIA. Two Brotherhoods. Eight Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

There is an elegance and a grace in the habit and appearance of this Polygala, which in a great measure compensates for its trifling flowers. It forms a small, and but little branched, twiggy shrub; is a native of the Cape of Good Hope; and belongs to the Heisteria division of the genus. We do not know that it has ever been figured before; but, notwithstanding the short character given by Thunberg, have little doubt of its being the plant he intended for P. micrantha. The honour of introducing it, and also some other shrubby Polygalæ, into this country, is due to G. Hibbert, Esq., from whose choice collection at Clapham our figure was taken.

Polygala micrantha continues flowering the greatest part of the year, winter as well as summer, is a very hardy green-house plant, and is propagated by cuttings in the usual way.

If we were to consider the flowers as resupinate, and perhaps they really are so, what we have called the keel would become the standard, and the small appendage which is a part of it below would answer as its keel. The expanded flowers of this species, and also those of P. stipulacea of our 363d plate, viewed in front, very remarkably resemble in outline, and almost in size, the insects which I have named Tineæ Bombyciformes; but the wings of the flower, which answer to the pectinated horns of the insects, appear rather too large. P. alopecuroides of our 371st plate possesses this extraordinary resemblance still more completely; inasmuch as the ciliæ of its keel correspond exactly to the fringes of the insects’ wings! A more perfect similitude between objects in reality so remote and so different, I have very rarely, or never, beheld.

MANGIFERA INDICA.

Indian Mango Tree.

CLASS V. ORDER I.

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

The Mango tree very seldom produces its flowers, and, we believe, never perfects its fruit, or, as Miller calls it, its plum, in Europe. In India this tree acquires considerable size, with a rough bark, and luxuriant foliage, and its fruit is held in great esteem. For the sake of its fine leaves alone it is worthy cultivation in our hot-houses, where, according to Miller, it prospers better out of, than in the tan; yet I believe most of the horticulturists of the present day prefer the bark-bed for their Mangoes, planting them in rich earth and large pots. They are propagated by layers or cuttings, seldom by seeds, because these will not keep long after they are mature, and therefore perish before they reach this country and can be sown in it. The flowers are extremely trifling, but they are curious in their conformation, and remarkable in constantly having four out of their five chives abortive, imperfect, and destitute of anthers; wherefore the plant is monandrous. Our figure was taken at Whitley and Brames’s in the month of December last.

LIMODORUM TANKERVILLIÆ.

Chinese Limodorum.

CLASS XX. ORDER I.

GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA. Chives on the Pointal. Two Chives.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

No coloured representation of this magnificent plant within our knowledge has yet been published, either in this country or on the continent; but a large folio black print of it was given in Aiton’s Hortus Kewensis, along with the above specific character, and with the circumstance of its having been introduced into the British gardens by the late Dr. Fothergill, in the year 1778, from China; of which country it is a native. In England it requires the artificial heat of the tan-bed to make it flower, which it does annually, with good management, from the month of November to that of April. It requires rich earth, and in dry weather frequent waterings; when in bloom makes a very stately appearance, and is propagated pretty readily by parting the tubers of the roots. Our drawing was made from fine plants in the Hibbertian collection at Clapham last month.

GOMPHOLOBIUM MACULATUM.

Maculated Air-pod.

CLASS X. ORDER I.

DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Ten Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

The plant here represented is quite a new species, and is said to be a native of New Holland: it is a stiff little shrub, and prospers in the green-house; and its yellow flowers, deeply blotched with brown on the standard, make a good appearance.

In its habit, and in the generic characters, it comes nearer to Gompholobium of Dr. Smith in Exotic Botany, tab. 5, than to any other genus within our knowledge; yet the dissections here given, will be found to swerve from the characters there advanced, in several perhaps not unimportant particulars. The stamina appear more united. The stigma appears slightly capitated, instead of acute; and the infant pod somewhat too long. The bracteæ also differ in number as well as structure.

Our drawing was made from living plants in the Hibbertian collection in the year 1803, but the above description from the drawing only.

ELYCHRISUM STÆHELINA.

Stæhelina-like Eternal-flower.

CLASS XIX. ORDER II.

SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. Tips united. Superfluous Polygamy.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

In the last volume of Willdenow’s Species Plantarum, containing the great class Syngenesia, are found many valuable botanical alterations and amendments, respecting the division and distribution of the genera and species; and amongst others, we find the Linnæan genus Xeranthemum, and even its species the annuum, with its supposed variety the inapertum, divided and arranged exactly after the manner proposed in our account of X. bracteatum (Plate 375), now Elychrisum bracteatum: those few species only being now called Xeranthema which have a squamous receptacle: viz. the annuum, and inapertum, of European origin; and the orientale, a native of Armenia.

The plant here depicted was drawn from a living specimen in the Clapham collection, last December, where at first it only threw up one flower-stalk; but it has since become stronger, and shows a peduncle from the end of almost every branch.

Although this species comes nearer Elychrisum in its generic characters than to any other genus, Gnaphalium not excepted, yet still we cannot help remarking, how much it recedes from the external appearance of most of its congeners, in being quite destitute of radiating scales.

It is a green-house plant, a native of the Cape, and is propagated by cuttings; but is not at present in any collection we are acquainted with, except Mr. Hibbert’s.

PROTEA INCURVA.

Incurved-leaved Protea.

CLASS IV. ORDER I.

TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

The Protea incurva is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, which is also the native country of by far the greater part of this extensive genus.

In this country it is considered and treated as a hardy green-house plant; and requires, like most of its congeners, a fresh loamy soil, and an airy situation in the winter. A very abundant supply of fresh air, indeed, is of essential consequence in the cultivation of most of the Cape plants; they benefit by it in the day time in most sorts of weather, even if rainy, provided the plants are not wetted by the rain, and the temperature of the atmosphere is not lower than forty degrees of Fahrenheit’s thermometer.

In many collections, we are of opinion, too little air is usually admitted in the green-house; especially in winter, and early spring: and we are also of opinion, that where we have seen the most given, the plants are the most healthy and robust. The fine collection at Mr. Hibbert’s is a powerful argument in favour of this theory.—In few places is air so freely given; in none are plants in finer health: therefore much air is essentially necessary; for plants, like animals, are now known to absorb from the atmosphere, through a process analogous to respiration, its oxygenous particles; thence deriving strength and vigour, and without which no animal or vegetable can at all maintain either health or life.

Our figure was made from the Clapham Collection last June. The plant is shrubby, erect, and is propagated by cuttings in the usual way.

RICINUS ARMATUS.

Prickly-capsuled Ricinus.

CLASS XXI. ORDER VIII.

MONOECIA MONADELPHIA. One House. One Brotherhood.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

The species of Ricinus here depicted, was raised in Lady Holland’s garden at Kensington last summer, from seeds sent by her ladyship from Malta, where the plant has been cultivated for medicinal purposes about four years; and where it is considered as a new sort. And such indeed it appears to us: for as a species, although it comes extremely near to R. communis, R. inermis, and perhaps R. medicus of Forskall, it appears to be sufficiently distinct; differing from the former and latter, in its deeper cloven, and more numerously lobed, and glandular petioled leaves; and from R. inermis, in having its capsules thickly beset with considerable, but herbaceous spines; whence our specific name of armatus, in contradistinction also to R. inermis, which has smooth capsules. The plant from which our drawing was taken was eight feet high and very much branched; and its ample yet elegant foliage, and red stalks and veins, communicated that kind of appearance to it which is often attributed to Asiatic plants—stately, and magnificent. Its root is biennial; it requires the protection of the green-house, and can be increased very readily by seeds, which should be raised on a hot-bed in spring, and afterwards transplanted into very large pots. There were two glands at the top of the petioles.

The valuable drug called castor oil is extracted from the seeds of this and other species of Ricinus.

CÆSULIA AXILLARIS.

Axillary-flowered Cæsulia.

CLASS XIX. ORDER I.

SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA ÆQUALIS. Tips united. Æqual Polygamy.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

Novelty, oddity, and a very unusual appearance in every part, for a syngenesious plant, must in the present subject compensate for its trifling flowers.

Few of our cultivating friends, except those who are the most botanical, will be inclined to add this Cæsulia to their collections; although a very rare, and, in many respects, an interesting species.

It was first described and figured by Dr. Roxburgh, as a new genus, and by the name it here bears, in his sumptuous work on the plants of the coast of Coromandel, of which country it is a native; and it has since been taken up by Professor Willdenow, in his edition of Species Plantarum, and has had a new species (the radicans), from Guinea, added to it by that botanist.

The axillary-flowered Cæsulia is quite new in the gardens, and is said to have a perennial root, by the parting of which we suppose it may be increased; and must be considered as a hot-house plant in this country.

Our figure was taken from a living specimen, obligingly communicated to us last summer by the Marquis of Blandford, from White Knights, Berks; who, we believe, first raised it in this country, from East Indian seeds.

STRELITZIA REGINÆ.

The Queen’s Strelitzia.

CLASS V. ORDER I.

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

At the request of several of our subscribers, who compliment us in saying this work contains nearly all the more showy plants now in cultivation; and who moreover are desirous that it should not long want any of them: we here beg leave to present them with that queen of hot-house plants, the superb Strelitzia: although strictly against our rules and plan; a coloured quarto print of it having already been given in the Botanical Magazine.

Of this majestic genus, first established in the Hortus Kewensis, there are now living in the British gardens, not fewer than four species, and several varieties; all natives, we believe, of the Cape of Good Hope, and all hot-house plants: viz. 1st, Strelitzia alba (Hortulanorum), which, towering far above the rest, and quite erect, attains the kingly height of twenty feet or upwards: it ought to have been called S. Regis;—2nd, S. Reginæ, here delineated, of which there are three or four varieties, differing only in the undulation of the leaves, and in their length, which (including the petiole) is usually from three to five feet;—3d, A nondescript narrow-leaved species, with very long petioles; this should be called S. Principis;—and 4th, another nondescript, but smaller sort, whose leaves are mere petioles, and scarce ever expand in the slightest manner into laminæ: this should be called S. juncea: it is very rare, and we believe at present only in the royal collection at Kew. All the Strelitziæ are propagated, though slowly, by carefully dividing their perennial roots, which are usually planted either in very large pots, or small beds annexed to the tan-bed in hot-houses. Our figure was made from a plant at Messrs. Colvill’s, in the King’s Road, last autumn, but the plant flowers freely at various seasons.