DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. Two Chives longer. Seeds covered.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium duplex; exterius, diphyllum, foliolis ovatis, concavis, longitudine fere tubi; interius, monophyllum, multipartitum, laciniis circiter duodecim, subulatis, perianthio exteriori triplo brevioribus.
Corolla monopetala; tubus sensim ampliatus; limbus quinquefidus; laciniis æqualibus, ovatis, obtusissimis, tubo triplo brevioribus.
Stamina. Filamenta quatuor, tubo supra basin inserta, inæqualia; duobus inferioribus brevioribus; duobus superioribus tubo breviora. Antheræ ovatæ, adnatæ.
Pistillum. Germen superum. Stylus filiformis, tubo paullo brevior, erectus. Stigma bilobum.
Pericarpium. Capsula globosa, rostrata, glabra, bilocularis, longitudinaliter dehiscens; rostrum compressum, sulcatum, lineare, obtusum; dissepimentum obovatum, emarginatum, sub apice foramine perforatum, lateribus membranaceum, persistens.
Semina in singulo loculamento bina, reniformia, rugosa, hinc convexa, inde concava sulco longitudinali.
Empalement. Cup double; the outer one two-leaved; leaflets egg-shaped and concave, nearly the length of the tube; the inner one-leaved, many divisions, the segments about twelve, awl-shaped, thrice as short as the outer cup.
Blossom, one petal; tube widening gradually; border five-cleft; segments equal, egg-shaped, very blunt, three times as short as the tube.
Chives. Four threads, fixed into the lower part of the tube, unequal; the two lower-most the shortest; the two uppermost shorter than the tube. Tips egg-shape, pressed to the threads.
Pointal. Seed-bud above. Shaft thread-shape, a little shorter than the tube, and upright. Summit two lobed.
Seed-vessel globular, beaked, smooth, two celled, and splits longitudinally; beak flattened, awl-shaped, linear, and blunt; partition inversely egg-shaped, notched at the end, pierced with a hole at the top, skinny at the edges, and remaining.
Seeds two in each cell, kidney-shaped, rough, convex on one side, and concave on the other by a longitudinal furrow.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Thunbergia foliis ovato-acuminatis, sub-dentatis; corolla alba, hypocrateriformis, tubo compresso; caule volubili.
Thunbergia with egg-shaped, tapering leaves, a little toothed; blossom white, salver-shaped, the tube flattened; stem twining.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The outer cup of the Empalement.
2. The inner cup of the same, magnified.
3. A Blossom cut open, to shew the situation of the Chives.
4. The Shaft and Summit, natural size.
5. The Seed-bud, magnified.
6. A ripe Capsule.
7. A ripe Seed.
The Thunbergia, here figured, is a native of the East Indies, from the Coromandel coast; was introduced to Britain in the year 1796, at the same time with the Ixora pavetta, by the Hon. Lady Dowager De Clifford. It is easily propagated, by cuttings, or from the seeds, which ripen with us: it should be kept in light, rich earth in the hothouse; where it will flower from May, till September; in which month this year our drawing was taken at Kensington Gore from a plant in the collection of James Vere, Esq. But although Dr. Roxburgh’s reason for adopting the specific character he has given it, that the place where it grows is sweet scented, though the plant is not, seems rather a little strained, we have not thought it right to alter it; as unquestionably, any name would have been equally appropriate, since neither the flowers, or any part of the plant, root or branch, has the least scent.
The plant from which this genus was originally formed by the younger Linnæus in his Sup. Plant. P. 46, is a native of the Cape of Good Hope; and we have our doubts, whether this plant ought to be placed with it; for although it accords in the essential character, of a double cup, the only one thought necessary, by Linnæus, to divide it from Barleria; yet, from the number of parts in which it differs from his generic character, such as the shape of the blossom, the length of the pointal, the situation and shape of the chives, the very different shape of the seeds, &c. we are led to think, it ought to be considered as a distinct Genus. But in following such good authority as the able and learned Dr. Roxburg, it is to be hoped, we shall stand excused in continuing the same name he has assigned it, without alteration at least, if not without comment.[Pg 499]
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Spathæ communes partialesque alternæ, distinctæ, persistentes.
Perianthium nullum.
Corolla. Petala tria, oblonga, canaliculata, erecta, acuta, æqualia.
Nectarium diphyllum; foliolo altero petalis subæquali; altero brevissimo, canaliculato, uncinato, opposito.
Stamina. Filamenta quinque, linearia. Antheræ erectæ, longæ.
Pistillum. Germen inferum, triquetrum. Stylus staminibus fere brevior. Stigma longum, gracile, curvatum, capitulo terminali.
Pericarpium. Capsula oblonga, truncata, triquetra, trilocularis, trivalvis.
Semina solitaria, oblonga.
Calyx. Sheaths common and partial alternate, distinct, remaining.
Cup none.
Blossom. Petals three, oblong, channelled, upright, pointed, equal.
Honeycup two leaved; one leaflet nearly the length of the petals; the other very short, channelled, hooked and opposite to the larger.
Chives. Five threads, linear. Tips upright and long.
Pointal. Seed-bud beneath, three-sided. Shaft scarcely shorter than the chives. Summit long, slender, curved, and terminating in a small head.
Seed-vessel. Capsule oblong, appearing cut off at the end, three-sided, three cells, three valves.
Seeds solitary, oblong.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Heliconia. Foliis glaberrimis, lanceolatis; inflorescentia glaberrima; spadice terminali flexuoso; spathis multifloris, marginibus revolutis; nectario lanceolato, concavo, integro.
Heliconia with very smooth, lance-shaped leaves; the inflorescence quite smooth; stem terminating in a zig-zag form; sheaths containing many flowers and rolled back; honey-cup lance-shaped, concave, and entire.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Blossom, with the three petals detached from the upper part of the Honey-cup, which is
shewn in front with the smaller leaf inclosed within the larger.
2. The Chives, with the lower part of the Honey-cup, to shew their insertion at its base, and
the smaller leaf of the Honey-cup in its place.
3. The smaller leaf of the Honey-cup, magnified.
4. The Shaft and Summit, the Summit detached magnified.
5. The Seed-bud, natural size.
6. The Seed-bud cut transversely, magnified.
The Parrot-billed Heliconia, a native of the continent of South America, as well as most of the West India Islands, was first received, in plants, from the island of St. Vincents, in the year 1797, by Thomas Evans, Esq. of Stepney; in whose collection it first flowered, in September 1798, when our drawing was taken. This plant requires a considerable degree of moisture and heat, as well as much root room and rich earth, to make it flower in perfection; as it seldom opens its blossoms freely without such treatment, and even with such assistance, they are to be seen but for a few hours in that state. It propagates from the roots, throwing up a number of suckers from the joints, which are formed at a considerable distance from the plant. The younger Linnæus in his Sup. Plant. of 1781, p. 158, has described this plant under our specific title, but different in some few points; which appear to arise more from his ideas of the various parts, than from any real difference in the plant itself. Swartz in his Obs. 98, gives sheaths to his plant, which Linnæus, we presume, denominates flower stem leaves, &c. yet we have no doubt, but they have both described the same plant; and perfectly agree with Willdenow and Martyn, that the H. psittacorum of both authors is the same, and have as little of this being the plant.[Pg 503]
OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Eight Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx superus. Corolla monopetala.
Filamenta receptacula inserta. Bacca quadrilocularis, polysperma.
Cup superior. Blossom one petal.
Threads fixed to the receptacle. A berry with four cells, and many seeds.
See Vaccinium arctostaphyllos, Pl. XXX. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Vaccinium foliis lanceolatis, undulatis, venosis; floribus racemosis; pedunculis longissimis, bracteatis; corolla conica, striata. Stamina decem.
Whortle-berry, with lance-shaped, waved, and veined leaves; flowers grow in long bunches; foot stalks of the flowers very long, having floral leaves; blossom cone-shaped, and streaked. Ten Chives.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Blossom.
2. The Chives magnified.
3. The Seed-bud, Cup, and Pointal, the Summit detached, magnified.
This species of Whortle-berry was first brought, from North America, in the year 1784. It is one of those with ten chives, &c. and of the same nature with those we have already figured; for its treatment, and increase, we must therefore refer our readers to V. formosum, Pl. XCVII. Vol. II. The drawing was taken in May 1799, at the Hammersmith nursery.[Pg 507]
POLYANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. Many Chives. Five Pointals.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium pentaphyllum; foliolis coriaceis, sub-ovatis, concavis, acutis, persistentibus.
Corolla. Petala quinque, obcordata, calyce longiora.
Stamina. Filamenta numerosa, filiformia, receptaculo fructificationis inserta. Antheræ lineares, erectæ, emarginatæ.
Pistilla. Germina quinque, ovato-oblonga, desinentia in stylos flexuosos, longitudine fere staminum. Stigmata simplicia, apice concava. Corpusculum subulatum, membranaceum in medio germinum, eorumque longitudine.
Pericarpium. Capsulæ quinque ovatæ, trigonæ, uniloculares, distinctæ.
Semina plurima, subrotunda.
Empalement. Cup five leaves; leaflets tough, nearly egg-shaped, concave, sharp, and remaining.
Blossom. Five petals, inversely heart-shaped, longer than the cup.
Chives. Threads numerous, thread-shaped, fixed into the receptacle of the fructification. Tips linear, upright, notched at the ends.
Pointals. Five seed-buds, between oblong and egg-shaped, terminating in zig-zagged shafts, nearly the length of the chives. Summits, simple, and hollowed at the top. A small awl-shaped, skinny substance in the middle of the seed-buds, and of their length.
Seed-vessel. Five capsules, egg-shaped, three-sided, one celled, and distinct.
Seeds many, roundish.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Hibbertia foliis obtuse-serratis, obovato-lanceolatis, floribus solitariis, sessilibus, fœtidissimus.
Hibbertia with obtusely sawed leaves, between lance and inversely egg-shaped; flowers grow solitary, sitting close on the stem; very fœtid.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. A leaf of the blossom.
3. The Chives and Pointals.
4. One Chive, magnified.
5. Pointals apart, as they stand in the center of Chives.
6. The Pointals spread open, with the skinny substance which stands in their center.
7. One of the Pointals, magnified.
8. A Seed-bud, cut transversely.
9. A half ripe seed, magnified.
The Hibbertia volubilis, (as are the three species of which we have seen specimens,) is from New Holland, near Port Jackson; was raised from seeds in many different collections near London in the year 1792. It is a hardy green-house plant, and makes a very handsome climber, for trellis, or pillars in a conservatory. Its growth is very rapid, and its flowers which are very brilliant and specious, continue in succession from May till September. The increase is certain and easy from cuttings, made in the month of May, and placed on a gentle hotbed, or plunged in the bark-bed of the hothouse. It delights in a light sandy peat soil. Our drawing was made from a plant, in the collection of the Hon. Lady Dowager De Clifford, Paddington.
As hitherto this tribe of Plants has not been given to the public by any truly established name; (the different species having been erroneously titled Dillenias, which have many pointals,) and as we find it to differ, from any yet described Genus, we have named it after G. Hibbert, Esq. of Clapham Common, Surry; whose knowledge and fervor in botanical pursuits, as well as liberality in his endeavours to enrich our collections, from every quarter of the globe, but especially from the Cape of Good Hope, has not been exceeded by any; and we are well assured, no name deserves a place, on botanical record, more than that of Hibbert.[Pg 511]
DIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, tubulatum, oblongum; ore quinquedentato, erecto; persistens.
Corolla monopetala, hypocrateriformis; tubus cylindraccus, longus; limbus quinquepartitus, planus.
Stamina. Filamenta duo, brevia. Antheræ parvæ, intra tubum corollæ.
Pistillum. Germen subrotundum. Stylos filiformis, longitudine staminum. Stigma bifidum.
Pericarpium. Bacca ovalis, glabra, bilocularis seu bicapsularis.
Semina duo, magna, ovato-oblonga, arillata, hinc convexa, inde plana.
Obs. Figura floris acuminata et obtusa variat. Bacca in aliis simplex, in aliis dicocca.
Empalement. Cup one-leaved, tubular, oblong; five-toothed at the mouth, and upright; remaining.
Blossom, one petal, salver-shaped; tube cylindrical, long; border five divisions, flat.
Chives. Threads two, short. Tips small, within the tube of the blossom.
Pointal. Seed-bud roundish. Shaft thread-shaped, the length of the chives. Summit two-cleft.
Seed-vessel. Berry oval, smooth, two-celled or two-capsuled.
Seeds two, large, oblong egg-shaped, each in its proper seed-coat, convex on one side, and flat on the other.
Obs. The flower varies in its character of tapering to a point, or in being blunt-ended. In some the berry is simple, in others double-seeded.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Jasminum petiolis foliorum geniculatis; foliis ovatis, oppositis, nitidis, simplicibus; floribus umbellatis; laciniis corollæ obtusis, undulatis.
Jasmine with the foot-stalks of the leaves jointed; egg-shaped leaves, growing opposite, shining and simple; flowers grow in umbels; the segments of the blossom are blunt and waved.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Cup.
2. A Blossom spread open, to expose the situation of the Chives.
3. The Shaft and Summit.
4. A ripe Berry.
5. The same cut transversely, to shew the cells and seeds.
The plant here figured, we consider as a distinct species from the J. simplicifolium of Forster, which he describes as a native of the Friendly Isles, in the South Seas; and likewise from the J. oblongum of Burman, which is given (but with a query) as a synonim to the J. simplicifolium of the former Author by Willdenow, in his Sp. Plant. p. 38, Part I. In the year 1792, the seeds of this plant were received by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, with the Bignonia pandorana, and many others, communicated by Colonel Paterson, then commanding a detachment stationed for a time on Norfolk Island, where it is native. To the green-house it is a considerable acquisition, either for a climber, or otherwise, as it is rarely without blossoms from July, till the end of November; being rather more tender than many of its congeners, which are in general destined to that station; it should be placed as nigh the flue, in as dry and airy a part of it as possible. A light, sandy peat soil, without mixture, is the most congenial to its growth; and it is increased by cuttings, made in the month of March, put, from 12 to 20, according to the size of the pot, under a small bell-glass, in the before-named earth, and plunged either in the bark-bed of the hot-house, or in the heat of a common hot-bed.[Pg 515]
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 6-petala, patens, æqualis.
Stamina tria, erectiusculo-patula.
Blossom 6-petals, spreading, equal.
Summits three, nearly upright and spreading.
RIGHT
See Ixia reflexa, Pl. XIV. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Ixia foliis linearibus; scapo spicis pluribus; corollæ laciniis subreflexis, incarnatis.
Ixia with linear leaves; flower-stem with many spikes of flowers; segments of the blossom a little bent backwards, and flesh-coloured.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The two Sheaths of the Empalement.
2. A Blossom spread open.
3. The Pointal natural size, with one of the Summits detached, and magnified.
This fine variety of the Many-spiked Ixia was introduced to our collections from the Cape of Good Hope, about the year 1795, with the Reflex-flowered Ixia and many others, in bulbs, communicated by J. Pringle, Esq. to Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith; where our drawing was taken in April 1799. No particular care is required, for the culture or increase of this, other, than what is required for the generality of Cape Ixias.[Pg 519]
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx nullus.
Corolla. Petala sex, oblongo-lanceolata, undulata, longissima, totaliter reflexa.
Stamina. Filamenta sex, subulata, corolla breviora, recto-patula. Antheræ incumbentes.
Pistillum. Germen globosum. Stylus filiformis, staminibus longior, inclinatus. Stigma triplex, obtusum.
Pericarpium. Capsula ovalis, triloba, trilocularis, trivalvis.
Semina plura, globosa, baccata, duplici serie disposita.
Obs. Affinis Erythronio.
Empalement, none.
Blossom. Petals six, oblong-lance-shaped, waved, very long, totally bent back.
Chives. Six threads, awl-shaped, shorter than the blossom, spreading out at straight angles from the seed-bud. Tips sideways on the threads.
Pointal. Seed-bud globular. Shaft thread-shaped, longer than the threads, inclined. Summit triple, blunt.
Seed-vessel. Capsule oval, three-lobed, three-celled, three-valved.
Seeds many, globular, like berries, disposed in two rows.
Obs. The genus has an affinity to Erythronium, or Dog’s-tooth Violet.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Gloriosa soliis cirrhiferis.
Gloriosa with tendril-bearing leaves.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A leaf of the Blossom, with its Chive, as they are fixed together at the base.
2. The Seed-bud, Shaft and Summit; the petals of the blossom being cut off.
The Gloriosa superba, a native of Guinea, as well as the coast of Malabar in the East Indies, is said to be every part poisonous. It is herbaceous, and the roots, which are formed upon the decay of the old one, should be taken from the pot in November, and kept in dry sand till the end of February, when they must be planted in rich earth, composed of one part old rotten dung, and two parts leaf mould or peat earth, then plunged in the bark-bed of a hot-house which is kept at pine heat, to insure their flowering the ensuing August.
Having received a most beautiful branch, of this magnificent plant from the collection of the Hon. the Marchioness of Rockingham, at Hillingdon, near Uxbridge; the impulse was too strong to be resisted, of giving a figure of it in the Bot. Rep. although against our general proposals, as this is certainly, neither a new, or rare plant; having been introduced so early as 1690, by Mr. Bentick. We therefore beg the indulgence of our friends, in this instance; for although the flower is common, and there are many figures of it, in different works, as, Rheede’s Hort. Malab. Vol. 7. frut. scand. 107. t. 57. Plukenet’s alma. 249. t. 116. f. 3. Commelin’s hort. 1. p. 69. t. 35. &c. &c.; yet, as these may not be in the possession of many of the purchasers of our work, we hope it may prove agreeable.[Pg 523]
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium pentaphyllum, acuminatum; foliolis ovato-lanceolatis.
Corolla monopetala, infundibuliformis; tubus clavatus; limbus magnus, quinquepartitus; laciniis obliquis, obtusis, latere altero magis gibbis; os tubi quinquangulare, quinquedentatum, stellato-connivens.
Stamina. Filamenta quinque, subulata, in medio tubi. Antheræ erectæ, conniventes.
Pistillum. Germen subrotundum. Stylus filiformis, brevis. Stigma capitatum, bilobum.
Pericarpium. Drupa maxima, subrotunda, carnosa, a latere sulco longitudinali excavata, punctisque duobus.
Semen. Nux bilocularis, quadrivalvis, retusa.
Empalement. Cup five leaved, tapering to a point; leaflets between egg- and lance-shaped.
Blossom one petal, funnel-shaped; tube club-shaped; border large, five divisions; segments oblique, obtuse, thicker edged on one side; mouth of the tube five-angled, five toothed, approaching together in the form of a star.
Chives. Five threads, awl-shaped, in the middle of the tube. Tips upright, and approaching.
Pointal. Seed-bud roundish. Shaft thread-shaped, and short. Summit headed, two-lobed.
Seed-vessel. A large pulpy fruit, nearly round, fleshy, hollowed on the side by a longitudinal furrow, and with two punctures.
Seed. Nut two cells, four valves, and bluntly dented at the end.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Cerbera foliis lanceolatis, utrinque attenuatis, undulatis; cymis ramosis, divaricatis, axillaribus.
Cerbera with lance-shaped leaves tapered to both ends, and waved; tufts of flowers branching into various directions, and growing from the foot-stalks of the leaves close to the stem.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement, magnified.
2. The Blossom cut open, with the Chives as they stand in the tube, magnified.
3. The Empalement, with the pointal after the blossom has fallen off, magnified.
4. The Seed-bud, magnified.
This conspicuously handsome plant was introduced by W. Forsyth, Esq. to the Chelsea Gardens in the year 1782, from the island of Bourbon, now the Isle de la Revolution, near the coast of Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean. It grows to a very considerable height, perfectly straight, and polished in the stem, something like the Bamboo Cane, from which appearance, till it flowered, it had gone by the name of the fishing rod plant. It must be kept in the bark-bed of the hothouse in rich mould, and should be removed from its pot but seldom, the roots being extremely tender and brittle. The propagation is slow and difficult, as well from the great tendency the part has to rot, where cut, as from the unfrequency of its throwing out any side shoots from the stem. Our drawing was made in July this year, at the Hammersmith nursery; though we understand it flowered in the extensive collection of the Right Hon. the Earl of Tankerville at Walton-upon-Thames, some years since.
Having followed Willdenow, rather than Jacquin, in the Generic name of this plant, our reason is, each species which has hitherto been thrown to this Genus, since its first formation, might well make a distinct one; if every generic or even essential, character, was to be critically attended to. The fruit forming the principal essential character, a specimen of which we have seen, containing two large seeds like C. Manghas, determined us in our adoption.
The descriptions and figures of the two plants, given by Professor Jacquin in his Icon. rar. 2, and Collect. 4, under the genus Ochrosia, are, we conceive, only different specimens of our plant; and are both, as well as Dryander’s critique on Gmelin (see Linn. Trans. Vol. II. p. 227) defective; neither of them having seen but dried specimens, without the fruit; as in this natural order of plants, the flowers being mostly fleshy, many of the principal characters are destroyed in the process of drying; and of course, in such case, must lead to error. Jacquin’s character of maculata, quoted by Willdenow as a specific title, though he has rejected the Generic, we suppose, must have been taken from the small blotches on the lower, and which sometimes pervade the upper surface of the leaves, but found only when in the last state of decay, or when artificially dried to preserve them; as by the pressure necessarily employed to that end, the waved, and most ostensible character of the living plant, is done away. As to the C. parviflora of Forster being the same, as either, the Ochrosia borbonica or O. maculata of Jacquin, we must beg leave to dissent from the severe criticiser of Gmelin; upon whose authority, nevertheless, Willdenow has been led to exclude, even as a synonim, the O. borbonica of Prof. Jacquin, which perhaps, if it were not for the increasing of Genera, ought to be the name of the plant.[Pg 527]
CLASS XVI. ORDER IV. of Suppl. System. Veg. 1781.
MONODELPHIA DECANDRIA. Threads united. Ten Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Monogyna. Stigmata quinque. Fructus rostratus, penta-coccus.
One Pointal. Five Summits. Fruit furnished with long awns, five dry berries.
See Geranium grandiflorum, Pl. XII. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Geranium foliis radicalibus, integris laciniatisque, petiolis filiformibus; calycibus monophyllis; Staminibus quinque fertilibus; radice tuberosa.
Geranium with leaves growing from the root, entire and jagged, foot-stalks thread-shaped; cups one leaved; five fertile chives; root tuberous.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement, with its tubular part laid open.
2. The Chives and Pointal, as they stand in the blossom, magnified.
3. The same cut open, and detached from the Pointal, magnified.
4. The Pointal, magnified.
The Ragged-leaved Geranium may be considered as an herbaceous plant, for it rarely retains its leaves longer than September; and when in a state of inaction, should be watered but sparingly, otherwise the root will be subject to rot. It may be increased by parting the roots about March, which should be afterwards planted in rich mould, and placed on a shelf in the hot-house; where they will flower in May or June. From an imported plant, in the Hibbertian collection, our drawing was made this year.
A continual harping on the same subject, may perhaps appear rather tiresome; but, as almost every real new species of Geranium, which falls under our observation, seems to add a fresh proof of the futility of the new arrangement, we cannot forbear noticing it. This species, for instance, has every other essential generic character of Monsieur L’Heritier’s Pelargonium, but unfortunately the most essential. Upon an accurate examination of a number of flowers, before they had expanded, (the only time when it can be truly ascertained), in no one instance, was there more than five tips to be found. Where to place it, with Erodium, or Pelargonium?[Pg 531]
TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 4-fida seu 4-petala. Antheræ lineares, insertæ petalis infra apicem. Calyx proprius nullus. Semina solitaria.
Blossom 4-cleft or 4 petals. Tips linear, inserted into the petals below the point. Cup proper, none. Seeds solitary.
See Protea formosa, Pl. XVII. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Protea foliis sublinearibus, angustis, obliquis, rigidis, longissimis; squamis interioribus, calycis lanceolatis, erectis; florum plumis atro-purpureis.
Protea with leaves nearly linear, narrow, oblique, harsh and very long; the inner scales of the cup are lance-shaped and upright; the plume of flowers of a black-purple.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Blossom complete, with the seed-bud attached.
2. The Petals of the flower opened, to shew the situation of the Tips.
3. The Seed-bud, Shaft and Summit.
This species of Protea, from the Cape of Good Hope, of which we have drawings of three varieties, is as yet, very scarce in this kingdom. The variety here figured, as well as the others of this species, have been hitherto considered as varieties of P. speciosa; with which, however, they have less connexion, than with P. mellifera; but from both they stand quite distinct. Wherefore, we have given them the specific title of longifolia, from the extreme length of their leaves, which are considerably longer, than could be expressed in the figure. We believe this is the first year it has flowered in England, or in any other collection, than the nursery, Hammersmith; where our drawing was made in November. It is most difficult, or indeed almost impracticable, to increase it, as it puts out no side shoots, and certainly damps off, if laid down, where it touches the earth.
From Boerhaave’s having arranged this species of Protea, (See his Index to the Leyden Garden, Part 2. from P. 185 to 189,) with his Lepidocarpodendrons, after fig. 187, which is our P. mellifera; Willdenow has been led into an error; since he has given this plant, the 188 Fig. of Boerhaave, as a synonim to P. speciosa, which ought not to be so taken, unless we understand, that he meant all his Lepidocarpodendrons as only varieties of each other; the principal distinguishing feature, in P. speciosa, being the incurved and fringed character, of the inner scales of the empalement.[Pg 535]
TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 4-fida seu 4-petala. Antheræ lineares, insertæ petalis infra apicem. Calyx proprius nullus. Semina solitaria.
Blossom 4-cleft or four petals. Tips linear inserted into the petals below the point. Cup proper none. Seeds solitary.
See Protea speciosa. Pl. XVII. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Protea foliis sub-linearibus, angustis, obliquis, rigidis, longissimis; squamis interioribus calycis lanceolatis erectis; florum plumis ferruginoso-purpureis; conus subglobosus.
Protea with nearly linear leaves, narrow, oblique, harsh and very long; the inner scales of the cup are lance-shaped and upright; the plume of flowers are of a rusty-purple; the cone nearly globe-shaped.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Blossom complete, with the seed-bud attached.
2. The Petals of the flower spread open, to expose the situation of the Tips.
3. The Seed-bud, Shaft and Summit.
That the attention of the scientific and other collectors and cultivators of exotics, in this kingdom, may be brought to a better acquaintance, with this fine, very extended, yet much neglected Genus; the species of which, now in Britain, amount to more than seventy, has been our chief aim, in endeavouring to lay before them, figures of some of the most rare and beautiful; one of which we deem the present.
This variety of Long-leaved Protea, is figured in Boerhaave’s Index to the Leyden garden, Part 2. p. 186, as one of his Lepidocarpodendrons, and has been given, by Willdenow in his Sp. plant. Tom. I. p. 531, as a synonim of P. speciosa, quoted from Thunberg’s prod. 27. Diss. de Prot.
The culture and treatment of this plant, is the same as P. speciosa, to which we refer our readers.
From a fine plant, in the Hibbertian collection, our drawing was taken in the month of July this year. It was introduced to us from the Royal Gardens at Schonbrun in Germany, communicated by the superintendant to Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, the seeds having been received from the collector for the Emperor, at the Cape.[Pg 539]
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 6-petala, patens, æqualis.
Stamina tria, erectiusculo-patula.
Blossom 6-petals, spreading, equal.
Chives three, upright and spreading.
See Ixia reflexa. Pl. XIV. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.