Corolla 6-petala, patens, æqualis. Stigmata tria, erectiusculo patula.
Blossom six petals, spreading, and equal. Summits three, nearly upright, and spreading.
See Ixia reflexa, Plate XIV.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Ixia foliis falcatis, glabris, scapo brevioribus, axillis bulbiferis; floribus alternis, luteis.
Ixia with scimitar-shaped leaves, smooth, and shorter than the flower-stem, bearing bulbs at their insertion into the stalk; flowers alternate, and yellow.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. A Flower cut open, with the Chives attached.
3. The Shaft, Summit, and Seed-bud, (magnified).
The singular sporting of Nature in the Ixia bulbifera is not uncommon; its viviparous character (if it may be so called) constitutes a specific difference in many genera; Lilium, Lysimachia, &c. partake of it. The bulbs produced from the stem blow the second year, whereas those from seeds do not till the third. The flowers of this variety are the first that open, amongst the numerous species yet introduced, of this extensive genus; they are of a brilliant yellow, and seldom expand more than one at a time. The usual treatment of other Cape Ixias is suitable for this. The drawing was made at Messrs. Lee and Kennedy’s, in the month of March 1798, they having introduced it about the year 1784.[Pg 194]
DECANDRIA TRIGYNIA. Ten Chives. Three Pointals.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium pentaphyllum, erectum, minimum, persistens, connivens. Glandulæ melliferæ duæ, ovales gibbæ, foliolis calycinis externe inferneque adnatæ.
Corolla. Petala quinque, reniformia, magna, plicata, ciliata, patentia, concava; unguibus longis, linearibus.
Stamina. Filamenta decem latiuscula, erecta, in cylindrum posita, parva. Antheræ cordatæ.
Pistillum. Germen subrotundum, minimum. Styli tres, filiformes. Stigmata obtusa.
Pericarpium. Bacca globosa, torulosa, magna, unilocularis.
Semina tria, ossea, oblonga, obtusa, angulata.
Empalement. Cup five leaves, upright, very small, remaining and closing at the points. Two honey-bearing glands, oval and gouty, are fixed to the outer and lower part of the leaves of the cup.
Blossom. Petals five, kidney-shaped, large, plaited, lashed, spreading, and concave; claws long, linear.
Chives. Threads ten, rather broad, upright, placed cylindrically, and small. Tips heart-shaped.
Pointal. Seed-bud nearly round, very small. Shafts three, thread-shaped. Summits blunt.
Pericarpium. Berry globular, knobby, large, of one cell.
Seeds three, bony, oblong, blunt, and angulated.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Malpighia foliis lanceolato ovatis, subtus tomentosis, integerrimis; floribus terminalibus, spicatis, pallide-luteis.
Malpighia with oval spear-shaped leaves, downy beneath, and entire; flowers terminate the branches in spikes, and are pale yellow.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement, Chives, and Pointal, (natural size).
2. The Empalement, (magnified).
3. The Chives spread open, (natural size).
4. A Thread, and its Tip, (magnified).
5. The Pointal complete, (natural size).
Although, we have given to this species of Malpighia, the specific name under which it has been introduced; yet, there is much doubt, whether it is not the Verbascifolium of Linnæus; or indeed if they are not both the same plant, named from different specimens. Our species makes a very handsome hothouse plant, growing to the height of five, or six feet, before it flowers. It is a native of Jamaica, and most of the adjacent islands, and was introduced by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy about the year 1792. From the extreme tenderness of the young leaves, and shoots, it must be kept in a strong growing pine heat during the winter months; otherwise, they are subject to damp off. It is raised by cuttings, and seems to delight in a rich soil. The figure was made from a specimen communicated by the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Courtenay, in whose most superb collection at Powderham Castle, near Exeter, it flowered, for the first time in England, in the month of September 1798.[Pg 198]
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 6-petala, patens, æqualis. Stigmata tria, erectiusculo-patula.
Blossom six petals, spreading, and equal. Summits three, nearly upright, and spreading.
See Plate XIV. Ixia reflexa.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Ixia foliis radicalibus, ensiformibus; floribus capitatis, confertis, aurantiis, petalis basi obscuris.
Ixia with leaves growing from the root, and sword-shaped; blossoms grow in a close bunch, gold coloured, and the petals dark at the base.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The two Sheaths of the Empalement.
2. A Flower cut open, with the Chives attached.
3. The Shaft, Summit, and Seed-bud, (magnified).
This variety of Ixia capitata was introduced at the same time as the Ixia bulbifera, flore luteo, viz. in 1784, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, from the Cape of Good Hope, and requires the same treatment. It flowers the latter end of May, or beginning of June; propagating itself abundantly by the root, which produces annually numerous young bulbs.[Pg 202]
SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Communis imbricatus; squamis lanceolatis, quarum intimæ disco longiores, membranaceæ, nitidæ, radium constituentes.
Corolla. Composita inæqualis; corollulæ hermaphroditæ plurimæ, tubulosæ in disco. Femineæ pauciores, tubulatæ, in ambitu.
Propria hermaphroditis infundibuliformis, calyce longe brevior; limbo quinquefido, patulo.
Femineis tubulosa, longitudine hermaphroditi, quinquefida, minus æqualis.
Stamina. Hermaphroditis filamenta quinque, brevissima. Antheræ cylindracea, tubulosa, longitudine fere corollulæ.
Pistillum. Hermaphroditis germen breve. Stylus filiformis, staminibus longior. Stigma bifidum.
Femineis germen ut in hermaphroditis. Stylus filiformis, longitudine hermaphroditorum. Stigmata duo, oblonga reflexa.
Pericarpium nullum. Calyx vix mutatus.
Semina oblonga, coronata.
Receptaculum nudum, planiusculum, punctatum.
Empalement. Common tiled; scales spear-shaped, the inner ones longer than the disk, skinny, shining, and forming the ray of the flower.
Blossom. Compound, unequal; florets with chives and pointals numerous and tubular in the disk. Female florets fewer, and tubular in the circumference.
Individuals with chives and pointals funnel-shaped, much shorter than the empalement; border with five clefts, spreading.
Individuals with only pointals, tubular the length of the hermaphrodites, five cleft, and rather smaller.
Chives. The threads in the hermaphrodites are five, and very small. Tips forming a cylinder, tubular almost the length of the florets.
Pointal. Seed-bud of the hermaphrodites short. Shaft thread-shaped, longer than the chives. Summit cloven.
Seed-bud of the female florets the same as the hermaphrodites. Shaft thread-shaped the length of the hermaphrodites. Summits two, oblong and bent back.
Seed-vessel none. Empalement scarcely changing.
Seeds oblong, and crowned with a feather.
Receptacle naked, flatish, and dotted.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Xeranthemum fruticosum, erectum; foliis amplexicaulibus, lanceolatis, trinerviis; ramis unifloris, subundis.
Everlasting flower with an upright shrubby stem; leaves embracing the stem, lance-shaped, and three-nerved; branches with one flower, and nearly naked.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. An Hermaphrodite floret, (natural size).
2. The Chives, Pointal, and Seed-bud, (magnified).
3. The Pointal, and Seed-bud from a female floret, (magnified).
This handsome species of Xeranthemum was introduced, according to the Kew catalogue, by Mr. F. Masson from the Cape of Good Hope, in the year 1787; it is, nevertheless, a very scarce plant, being subject to decay from our winter damps; therefore requires a dry stove for its protection. The blossoms (or rather the flower-cups, for they are the persistent parts) are easily preserved for many years, in all their brilliancy, by cutting them, when they first expand; but our atmosphere seems uncongenial to the ripening of their seeds, and is with great difficulty increased by cuttings. The soil it most approves is sandy peat, with a small portion of loam. Our figure was taken in September last year, at the Hammersmith nursery.[Pg 206]
OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Eight Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, infundibuliforme, coloratum; tubo filiformi, longissimo; limbo quadripartito, plano.
Corolla. Petala quatuor, sessilia, plana, calyce breviora, eique inserta.
Stamina. Filamenta octo, setacea, erecta, longitudine ferme floris. Antheræ simplices.
Pistillum. Germen ovatum. Stylus filiformis, germinis lateri insertus, longitudine staminum. Stigma capitatum, hispidum.
Pericarpium nullum. Fructus in fundo calycis.
Semen unicum, ovatum.
Empalement. Cup one leaf, funnel-shaped and coloured; tube thread-shaped, very long; border of four segments, which are flat.
Blossom. Petals four, sitting close to the cup, flat, shorter than the cup, and fixed within it.
Chives. Threads eight, awn-like, upright, scarcely the length of the flower. Tips simple.
Pointal. Seed-bud egg-shaped. Shaft thread-shaped, fixed into the side of the seed-bud, and of the length of the chives. Summit headed, and hairy.
Seed-vessel none. Fruit in the lower part of the cup.
Seed one, egg-shaped.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Gnidia, foliis sparsis, lineari-subulatis; ramis verticillatis; floribus aggregatis, terminalibus.
Gnidia with scattered, linearly awl-shaped leaves; branches grow in whorls; the flowers terminating the branches in clusters.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Flower with its seed, (natural size).
2. The same cut open, to shew the situation and insertion of the Chives into the tube of the Empalement.
3. The Pointal, (magnified).
The essential distinguishing character, in Passerina, Gnidia, Struthiola, and Lachnæa, must certainly be considered as amongst the slightest generic divisions made by Linnæus. It is no small difficulty to distinguish the blossom in Gnidia, and Lachnæa, from the empalement in Passerina, and Struthiola; the same exact natural structure being alike in them all; and to us, appear noticeable in their small variations, rather as forming specific, than generic distinctions. As our plan is not to alter, upon any terms, what has been determinately settled by that great master in the arcana of nature, let our opinions be what they will; we are determined to prevent confusion (which has been but little attended to of late), to give it only as such, without presuming upon alteration. But as in the present instance, when a plant long named, but otherwise unknown to cultivators, has unfortunately been foisted from its rank by another, no ways answering to the characters of the describer; we shall consider it as our particular province to rectify the mistake, however generally the error may have obtained.—The Gnidia pinifolia is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, the seeds having been received from thence in 1795, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, at whose nursery it has flowered, for the first time in England, in the month of February this year, and where the drawing was taken. It is a hardy greenhouse plant, but is propagated with difficulty by cuttings; growing to the height of eighteen inches, being most exquisitely scented by night, continuing in flower at least three months, and thriving best in a light peat soil.
A figure of the plant generally known by the name of G. pinifolia, will be given with the next number, to the end our assertions may be properly investigated.[Pg 210]
POLYGAMIA MONOECIA. Various dispositions. Upon one Plant.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Perianthium monophyllum, quinquedentatum, minimum.
Corolla. Petalum unicum, infundibuliforme, semiquinquesidum, parvum.
Stamina. Filamenta capillaria, longissima. Antheræ incumbentes.
Pistillum. Germen oblongum. Stylus filiformis, flaminibus brevior. Stigma truncatum.
Pericarpium. Legumen longum, dissepimentis transversis, pluribus.
Semina plurima; figura varia.
Empalement. One leaf, five-toothed, and very small.
Blossom. One petal, funnel-shaped, cut half way down into five divisions, and small.
Chives. Threads like fine hairs, and very long. Tips laying on the threads.
Pointal. Seed-bud oblong. Shaft thread-shaped, shorter than the chives. Summit appearing cut off.
Seed-vessel. A long pod, the partitions run across the pod, and are numerous.
Seeds many; of different shapes.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Mimosa foliis simplicibus, utrinque venosis, linearibus, obtusis; ramis strictissimis; capituli geminati, oppositi, ex alis foliorum.
Mimosa with simple leaves, veiny on both sides, linear, and blunt ended; branches growing close and upright; flower heads grow by pairs, opposite, and at the insertion of the leaf into the stem.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Floret, (natural size).
2. The Empalement, (magnified).
3. The Blossom, (magnified).
4. One Thread and its Tip, (magnified).
5. The Pointal, (magnified).
This species of New Holland Mimosa, has as yet, escaped even the indefatigable, and accurate Dr. Smith; it is from Port Jackson, whence the seeds were transmitted by Colonel Paterson in the year 1793. Being easily raised, it is found in most collections; the seeds preserving their vegetative quality many years, and striking readily by cuttings. It has the peculiar character attached to the Mimosas of that country, viz. winged seed-leaves, which are lost after the first year’s growth. This species has no smell, and grows to the height of three or four feet before it flowers; perfectly straight and compact, from which circumstance we have taken its trivial name.[Pg 214]
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx, nullus.
Corolla, monopetala, oblonga; limbi laciniis lanceolatis, acuminatis, erectis; persistens.
Stamina. Filamenta sex, subulata, longitudine corollæ, inserta basi laciniarum corollæ. Antheræ oblongæ, erectæ.
Pistillum. Germen ovatum. Stylus subulatus, longitudine staminium. Stigma trifidum.
Pericarpium. Capsula ovata, triquetra, acuminata, trilocularis.
Semina plurima.
Empalement, none.
Blossom, one leaf, oblong; the segments of the border are lance-shaped, tapering, and upright; remaining.
Chives. Threads six, awl-shaped, the length of the blossom, and inserted into the divisions of it, at the base. Tips oblong, upright.
Pointal. Seed-bud egg-shaped. Shaft awl-shaped, the length of the chives. Summit three-cleft.
Seed-vessel. Capsule egg-shaped, three-sided, tapered, and of three cells.
Seeds many.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Aletris, acaulis; foliis ensiformibus, laxis; floribus spicatis, suave rubentibus; radicibus sarmentosis.
Bastard Aloe, without a stem; having sword-shaped, weak leaves; flowers grow in spikes of a soft red colour; roots producing suckers from the joints.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Flower.
2. The Chives, and Pointal.
3. The Pointal.
This species of Aletris was introduced to us, from the Cape of Good Hope, about the year 1789; it is a hardy plant, requiring the same management as Aletris Capensis, that is, to be kept in a dry part of the greenhouse; although the plant should be frequently watered when in bloom, as should mostly all plants, notwithstanding (as in the present instance is the case) their flowering in the winter months. This caution we have thought necessary, as it is a general rule with gardeners during that season, to put as little moisture as possible to their plants, whether in flower or not, to avoid damps. The little difficulty in propagating this handsome species of Aletris, will render it soon common; the roots grow nearly horizontally, and from their joints numberless young plants are produced; which character we were desirous of expressing in the figure, as from thence we have taken our trivial name; but from the size of the work, it was found impracticable. The drawing was made in December 1798, from a plant then in flower, at the Hammersmith nursery: we are nevertheless informed, that from being planted in a light, rich soil, it may be made to grow to the height of three feet; with a spike of flowers, one fourth the length of the flower-stem.[Pg 218]
SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Communis ovato-cylindricus, lævis, imbricatus; squamis plurimis, obtusis, erectis, persistentibus.
Corolla. Composita radiata; corollulæ hermaphroditæ plures in disco elevato. Femineæ plurimæ in radio.
Propria hermaphroditi infundibuliformis, quinquefida intus villosa.
Feminea ligulata, subrotunda, retusa, persistens.
Stamina. Hermaphroditis; filamenta quinque, brevissima. Anthera cylindracea, tubulosa.
Pistillum. Hermaphroditis; germen oblongum, triquetrum. Stylus filiformis, semibifidus. Stigmata duo, obtusa.
Femineis; germen oblongum, triquetrum. Stylus capillaris, semibifidus. Stigmata duo, recurvata.
Pericarpium. Calyx immutatus.
Semina. Hermaphroditis solitaria, oblonga, tetragono-ancipitia. Pappus muconibus duobus.
Femineis solitaria, mutica, coronata petalo persistente.
Receptaculum paleaceum; paleis lingulatis, canaliculatis, longitudine calycis, deciduis.
Empalement. Common cylindrically egg-shaped, smooth, and tiled; scales many, blunt, upright, and remaining.
Blossom. Compound radiate; florets with chives and pointals, are numerous in the center, which is elevated; florets with only pointals, many in the circumference.
Individuals with chives and pointals funnel-shaped, five-cleft, and hairy within.
Individuals with pointals only, ligulate, roundish, dented at the end, and remaining.
Chives. Hermaphrodites; five short threads. Tips forming a hollow cylinder.
Pointal. Hermaphrodites; seed-bud oblong, three-sided. Shaft thread-shaped, split nearly half way down. Summits two, blunt.
Females; seed-bud oblong, three-sided. Shaft hair-like, split half way down. Summits two, bent backward.
Seed-vessel. Cup not changing.
Seeds. Hermaphrodites; solitary, oblong, three-sided, but sharp at two edges. Feather of two sharp points.
Females, solitary, without points, being crowned with the persistent petal.
Receptacle chaffy; chaff tongue-shaped, channelled, the length of the cup, and falling off.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Zinnia foliis oppositis, amplexicaulibus, lato-lanceolatis, scabris; floribus pedunculatis, purpureis, solitariis.
Zinnia with opposite leaves, embracing the stem, broadly lance-shaped, and rough; flowers have foot-stalks, are purple, and grow solitary.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. A Floret of the ray with the seed attached, (natural size).
3. A Floret of the disk with the seed attached, (magnified).
4. The Chives and Pointal of an hermaphrodite floret.
5. The chaffy substance dividing the florets.
This elegant new species of Zinnia, is described and figured by J. A. Cavanilles, in his first volume of Spanish plants; where he says, it is a native of Mexico, South America, and was transmitted from thence to the royal gardens, where it perfected its seeds. In the year 1796, the Marchioness of Bute received it amongst many other curious seeds, from Madrid, through the medium of Professor Ortega. Being rather a tender annual, it should be sown in March, on a gentle hotbed; and transplanted into the open borders the beginning of May. The plant grows to the height of three feet or more, and makes in the months of August and September, a very considerable addition to the splendor of the flower garden. The seeds ripen freely, though the flower should be plucked before it appears decayed.[Pg 222]
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla tubulosa, irregularis, recurvata. Capsula infera.
Blossom tubular, irregular, and bent backward. Capsule beneath.
See Plate XXXII. Antholyza ringens.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Antholyza, floribus infundibuliformibus, spicatis, incarnato-pallidis; foliis falcatis, brevissimis.
Antholyza with funnel-shaped, spiked flowers, of a pale flesh colour; leaves scimitar-shaped, and very short.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. A Blossom cut open, to shew the insertion of the Chives.
3. The Pointal, (natural size).
There are few species of this genus but furnish beautiful flowers; this is certainly among the most handsome, from the softness of its colour, and the regularity of the spike: what adds considerably to its merit, is, that the blossoms remain a considerable time before they fall, which unfortunately, is seldom the case with the flowers of this genus. It was received from the Cape of Good Hope in bulbs, sent by J. Pringle, Esq. of Madeira, in 1794, to Messrs. Lee and Kennedy of Hammersmith; the drawing was made in the month of June 1797 at their nursery. Not being easily injured by damp, there is no necessity for removing it from its pot, as is necessary for most bulbs, but to increase it; one, or two young bulbs being annually produced, in addition from the old one. The best soil is a sandy peat, with a small proportion of loam.[Pg 226]
ICOSANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. Twenty Chives. Five Pointals.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, semiquinquesidum, superum, patens, persistens.
Corolla. Monopetala; petala lanceolato-linearia, numerosissima, serie multiplici nata, calyce longiora, unguibus læviter connatis in unum.
Stamina. Filamenta numerosa, capillaria, longitudine calycis. Antheræ incumbentes.
Pistillum. Germen inferum, angulis quinque, obtusis. Styli quinque sæpius, subulati, erecto-reflexi. Stigmata simplicia.
Pericarpium. Capsula carnosa, subrotunda, loculamentis numero stylorum respondentibus.
Semina plurima, subrotunda.
Empalement. Cup one leaf, cut nearly half way down into five divisions, above, spreading, and remaining.
Blossom. One petal; petals linearly lance-shaped, very numerous, rising in a number of rows, longer than the cup, slightly joined together by their claws.
Chives. Threads numerous, hair-like, the length of the cup. Tips laying on the threads.
Pointal. Seed-bud beneath, with five obtuse angles. Shafts mostly five, awl-shaped, upright, and a little bent outwards. Summits simple.
Seed-vessel. A fleshy capsule, nearly round, the cells answering to the number of the chives.
Seeds many, nearly round.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Mesembryanthemum foliis amplexicaulibus, glaberrimis, spathulatis; pedunculis longitudine foliorum; calycibus hemisphæricis; corollis luteis.
Fig Marygold with leaves embracing the stem, very smooth, and spatula-shaped; the foot-stalks the length of the leaves; cups hemispherical; blossoms yellow.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Seed-bud; the Blossom, Cup and Chives, cut off, the Pointals remaining.
2. The same, with the Cup and Chives.
As the extreme brilliancy of this plant cannot be done justice to in painting, we must rest satisfied with having done our best; every person in the least acquainted with the art, must know, that in yellow the shining colour existing in nature cannot be retained in a drawing. This species is annual, and according to the Kew Catalogue, was introduced to the royal gardens by Mr. F. Masson in the year 1787. The seeds should be sown on a hotbed in the month of February, and by the end of August the plants will flower, and continue to blossom till the end of October; never failing to perfect their seeds.[Pg 230]
OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Eight Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium quadripartitum; laciniis acutis, persistentibus.
Corolla. Petala quatuor, ovata, sessilia.
Nectarium coronæ forma, excavatum, glandulosum.
Stamina. Filamenta octo, plana, ciliata, incurvata, receptaculo inserta. Antheræ infra apicem filamentorum pedicillatæ, incumbentes.
Pistillum. Germen superum, conicum, quadrisulcatum. Stylus brevissimus, simplex. Stigma capitatum, glabrum, sulcatum.
Pericarpium. Capsulæ quatuor, ovato-acuminatæ, compressæ, margine introrsum coalitæ, apicibus distantibus, sutra superiori dehiscentes, bivalves.
Semina solitaria sæpius, nitida, reniformia, arillata.
Empalement. Cup with four divisions; segments sharp pointed, and remaining.
Blossom. Petals four, egg-shaped, sitting close to the cup.
Honey-cup of the shape of a crown, hollowed, and glandular.
Chives. Eight threads, flat, fringed, turned inwards, and fixed into the receptacle. Tips fixed below the ends on the inside of the threads, on short foot-stalks, and lying on them.
Pointal. Seed-bud above, conical, and four-furrowed. Shaft very short, and simple. Summit headed, smooth, and furrowed.
Seed-vessel. Capsules four, of a pointed egg-shape, flattened, joined by the interior edge, the points standing separate, splitting from the upper suture, two-valved.
Seeds mostly solitary, shining, kidney-shaped, and covered with an elastic coat.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Boronia foliis impari-primatis, integerrimis; pedunculis axillaribus, dichotomis; filamentis apice obtusis, glandulosis.
Boronia with leaves abruptly winged, entire; flower-stalks growing from the base of the leaves, forked; end of the threads blunt, and glandular.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement, (natural size).
2. The Chives, and Pointal.
3. One Chive, (magnified).
4. The Pointal, and Honey-cup, (natural size).
This is the only species yet in our gardens, of a most beautiful new genus of plants, natives of New South Wales, first named, described, and with three other species, figured in the Tracts relating to Natural History by Dr. J. E. Smith, F.R.S. P.L.S. &c. Thus eternizing the name of an esteemed and faithful servant, who by his ardour in botanical pursuits, had merited the honour; rejecting the usual considerations, riches, or learning, does the Dr. no less credit as a man, for the kindness of his heart, than what his distinguished talents have gained him, by placing him in the first botanical seat in this kingdom. In the short history of the unfortunate end of Borone, the Dr. informs us, he had resigned him to Dr. Sibthorpe, as a most fit person to attend him in his last journey through Greece; where, at Athens, he met his death, by an accidental fall from a balcony: the Dr. did not long survive him.
The Boronia pinnata has much of the aromatic flavour of Diosma in its leaves and stem; the flowers, which appear about February, and continue till May, have the scent of the Hawthorn flower; it grows to a shrub of the height of eighteen inches, is propagated with difficulty by cuttings, and has not hitherto perfected its seeds in this country; requiring a dry situation in the greenhouse, and flourishes most in light sandy peat. The figure was taken from a plant which flowered last year, in the nursery of Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, where it was raised from seeds in 1794.[Pg 234]
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 6-petala, patens æqualis. Stigmata tria, erectiusculo-patula.
Blossom six petals, spreading, equal. Summits three, nearly upright, and spreading.
See Ixia reflexa. Plate XIV.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Ixia foliis linearibus, fistulosis; floribus secundis, noctu fragrantes; bulbus campanulatus, margine acuto-fibroso.
Ixia with linear, hollow leaves; flowers pointing one way, and fragrant by night; bulb bell-shaped, the margin edged with sharp fibres.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The outer spath of the Empalement.
2. The inner spath of the Empalement.
3. A Flower cut open.
4. The Pointal, and Chives.
5. The Pointal.
This Ixia is of a very delicate nature, the root being subject to rot soon after the flower decays, if not then removed from its pot, and dried; the flowers expand about four o’clock in the afternoon, and are so extremely fragrant that they are smelt at a considerable distance. For this plant, our gardens are indebted to the Dowager Lady De Clifford, who received the bulbs from the Cape of Good Hope in the year 1794. The drawing was made from a plant, which flowered last year at Messrs. Lee and Kennedy’s, Hammersmith, who had some of them in a present from her ladyship. Like other Ixias, it should be planted in light peat, and watered but seldom; its propagation is but slow, as seldom more than one new bulb is produced, upon the decay of the old one.[Pg 236]
CLASS XVI. ORDER IV. Suppl. System. Veget. 1781.
MONODELPHIA DECANDRIA. Threads united. Ten Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Monogyna. Stigmata 5. Fructus rostratus, 5-coccus.
One Pointal. Five summits. Fruit furnished with long awns, five dry berries.
See Geranium grandiflorum, Plate XII.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Geranium foliis radicalibus; floribus umbellatis, diandris; petalis duobus superioribus punctatis; stigmata quatuor.
Geranium with leaves growing from the root; flowers grow in umbels, two fertile chives; the two upper petals being dotted; summits four.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement cut open, with the Chives and Pointal left on, (natural size).
2. The Threads cut open, to shew their number, and the situation of the two fertile ones, (magnified).
3. The Pointal, (magnified).
Perhaps amongst plants, there is no genus exhibits such varied and numerous species as Geranium; no one, in which the species are so allied in natural character, or so unfavourable to the sexual system, if some deviation from general rules was not allowed: the founder thought such licence necessary, and we implicitly follow him. Thus far we have thought proper to extenuate in the present instance; for should we follow Mons. L’Heritier, (as most of the modern correctors of Linnæus have done,) a new genus must inevitably be formed for this plant. Upon a close examination of the flowers, from a dozen different plants, invariably, only seven threads were found; two only with tips, and those placed immediately behind the shaft, whose summits were but four. This Geranium is rather tender, and requires a dry-stove heat to make it flower, which it will readily do with such assistance, in April; about the beginning of which month, this year, a drawing was made from a plant in the collection of Messrs. Lee and Kennedy. The roots or bulbs of this plant were first received in England by Thomas Johnes, Esq. in the year 1794, in whose magnificent conservatory at Havod they flowered the next year.[Pg 240]