Comprising
Colour’d Engravings
of
New and Rare Plants
ONLY
With Botanical Descriptions &c.
——in——
Latin and English,
after the
Linnæan System.
by
H. Andrews
Botanical Painter Engraver, &c.
OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Eight Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx, nullus.
Corolla monopetala, infundibuliformis. Tubus cylindraceus, imperforatus, limbo longior. Limbus quadrifidus; laciniis ovatis, acutis, planis, patentibus.
Stamina. Filamenta octo, brevia, tubo inserta; alterna inferiora. Antheræ subrotundæ, erectæ, biloculares.
Pistillum. Germen ovatum. Stylus brevissimus. Stigma capitatum, depresso-planum.
Pericarpium. Bacca subrotunda, unilocularis.
Semen unicum, subrotundum, carnosum.
Empalement, none.
Blossom one petal, funnel-shaped. Tube cylindrical, closed at the base, longer than the border. Border four-cleft; segments egg-shaped, sharp, flat, and spreading.
Chives. Eight short threads, fixed to the tube; four alternately lower than the others. Tips roundish, upright, with two cells.
Pointal. Seed-bud egg-shaped. Shaft very short. Summit a low, smooth knob.
Seed-vessel. A roundish berry, of one cell.
Seed, single, roundish, and fleshy.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Daphne, pedunculus axillaribus, bifloris; foliis obovatis, nitidis.
Spurge-laurel, the fruit stalks growing from the base of the leaves, with two flowers each; leaves inversely egg-shaped, and shining.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Flower cut open, to shew the situation of the Chives.
2. The Pointal, (natural size).
3. A ripe Seed.
Tournefort in his Voyage to the Levant, Vol. III. has described this plant under the name of, Thymelæa Pontica Citrei foliis; Dr. P. Pallas in his Flora Rossica, has likewise figured and described it, under the title it bears in the Sp. Plan. p. 511; from both of whom we learn, that it is a native of the coast of the Black Sea, and therefore perfectly hardy, at least sufficiently so to endure our climate. It is the handsomest in foliage of any species of the genus, having, like most of them, fragrant flowers; which begin to shew themselves with the first budding of the plant in spring, about the first week in March. Like our common Spurge-laurel it delights in shade, making a pretty evergreen shrub, about two feet in height; and grows best in a light loamy soil. Although this plant has been long known by name, it had not been seen in England till 1795, a year subsequent to its being sent in seeds to Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith. It flowered for the first time here, in 1798; but our drawing was not made till this year, about the middle of April. It is propagated by the seed, or cuttings.[Pg 297]
TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx, nullus.
Corolla. Petala quatuor, basin versus staminifera, reflexa, apice incrassata.
Nectariæ. Glandulæ quatuor globosæ, ad basin germinis.
Stamina. Filamenta quatuor brevia, singula ex singuli petali medio enata. Antheræ lineares, conniventes, demum reflexæ.
Pistillum. Germen superum, ovatum. Stylus subulatus, glaber, persistens. Stigma obtusum, declinatum.
Pericarpium. Drupa subrotunda, monosperma.
Semen. Nux ossea, subrotunda, compressa.
Empalement, none.
Blossom. Four petals, supporting the chives near the bottom, bent back, and thickened at the point.
Honey-cups. Four round glands at the base of the seed-bud.
Chives. Four short threads, one growing out of each petal about the middle. Tips linear, and approaching each other, then reflexed.
Pointal. Seed-bud egg-shaped, and above. Shaft awl-shaped, smooth, and remaining. Summit blunt, and bent downward.
Seed-vessel. A pulpy berry, roundish, with one seed.
Seed. A hard, roundish nut, flattened.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Persoonia foliis lanceolatis, acutis, enerviis, utrinque glabris; petiolis tortis; floribus axillaribus, flavis.
Persoonia with lance-shaped leaves, sharp pointed, without nerves, and smooth on both sides; foot-stalks twisted; the flowers grow at the lower part of the leaves, close to the stem, and yellow.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Blossom.
2. One division of the Blossom with its Chive.
3. The Pointal (natural size).
4. The same (magnified).
5. The Receptacle, with the Honey-cups (magnified).
6. A Berry cut in two, the Seed taken out.
7. A ripe Seed.
Every step we make in the examen of plants, from that endless source for botanical research, New Holland; nature almost as constantly, presents us with a perfectly new face; such is the object of our present consideration. Dr. Smith, P. L. S. in the Linnæan Transactions, Vol. IIII. p. 215, considering a new Genus as necessary for this tribe of plants, has named it in honour of C. H. Persoon, much noted for his works on the fungi. This is a handsome, spreading greenhouse plant, growing about five feet high, and covering itself with deep yellow blossoms. It is propagated by cuttings, or seeds, which come to maturity with us, and are produced in great numbers. J. Willson, Esq. of Islington, raised this species from seeds about the year 1791; from a specimen in whose collection our figure was taken, this year in July, and where it flowered for the first time last year, in the month of August, and is still in bloom, although many seeds are already perfected, from the flowers of last year.[Pg 301]
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, ventricosum, semi quinquefidum, pentagonum; laciniis acuminatis; persistens.
Corolla. Monopetala, rotata. Tubus brevissimus. Limbus semiquinquefidus, magnus, plicatus.
Stamina. Filamenta quinque, subulata, minima, conniventia. Antheræ erectæ, conniventes.
Pistillum. Germen subrotundum. Stylus filiformis, staminibus fere longior. Stigma obtusum.
Pericarpium. Bacca sub-globosa, bilocularis, intra calycem maximum, inflatum, clausum, pentagonum.
Semina plurima, reniformia, compressa.
Empalement. Cup one leaf, bellied, half five-cleft, and five-sided; the segments are tapered; permanent.
Blossom, one petal, wheel-shaped. Tube very short. Border half five-cleft, large, and plaited.
Chives. Five threads, awl-shaped, very small, and approaching. Tips upright, and approaching.
Pointal. Seed-bud roundish. Shaft thread-shaped, hardly longer than the chives. Summit blunt.
Seed-vessel. A roundish berry, two-celled, within a large, swelled, close-mouthed, five-sided cup.
Seeds many, kidney-shaped, and flat.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Physalis, ramosissima, prostrata, hispida; foliis subcarnosis; corollis cæruleis.
Winter Cherry, very branching, trailing, and hairy; leaves nearly fleshy; blossoms blue.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. A Flower cut open, with the Chives attached.
3. The Pointal (natural size).
4. A ripe Seed-vessel.
This beautiful species of Physalis, as a tender annual, should be sown early in March, on a strong hotbed; and kept, when potted, in the greenhouse, being impatient of cold or wet, and perishes if exposed to either. It is a native of Peru, South America, and has been figured by Professor Jacquin in his Ic. Rar. I. t. 38; likewise by Mons. l’Heritier in his Stirp. Nov. p. 43. t. 22; and was first transmitted to England in the year 1782, by Mons. Thoin, from France. Although it has been cultivated here some years, it is but little known, owing to its great delicacy when young, being very liable to damp off in the hotbed.[Pg 305]
TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 4-fida, seu 4-petala. Antheræ lineares, insertæ petalis infra apicem. Calyx proprius nullus. Sem. solitaria.
Blossom four-cleft or of four petals. Tips linear, inserted into the petals below the ends. Cup. Proper, none. Seeds solitary.
See Protea Speciosa. Plate XVII.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Protea floribus simplicibus, racemoso-spicatis, glabris; foliis filiformibus, sparsis, glabris.
Protea with simple flowers, growing in branching spikes, and smooth; leaves thread-shaped, scattered, and smooth.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Blossom complete.
2. One Petal of the Blossom, (magnified), with its Chive attached.
3. The Pointal and Seed-bud, (magnified).
4. A ripe Seed.
The Pine-leaved Protea from the Cape of Good Hope, is rather a delicate plant; and is subject to be killed, if not kept in the driest, and warmest part of the greenhouse, being very susceptible of damps. It makes a very fine appearance when in bloom, growing to the height of two feet or more upright, and with few branches; every part of the plant, (which is uncommon in this genus,) is quite smooth and shining. This species of Protea is an inhabitant of our gardens, since the year 1780; when it was first introduced by William Forsyth, Esq. of Kensington, but has been rarely seen to flower, as it is found but in few collections; owing to the difficulty of propagating it, by the only possible method in this country, cuttings. The soil it approves most, as do most of the Proteas, is a light loam. The drawing was taken at the Hammersmith nursery, from a plant which flowered there in August this year.[Pg 309]
TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx nullus. Petala 4, basin versus staminifera. Glandulæ 4, ad basin germinis. Stigma obtusum. Drupa monosperma.
Empalement none. Petals four, supporting the chives near the bottom. Four glands at the base of the seed-bud. Summit blunt. A pulpy berry with one seed.
See Persoonia lanceolata. Pl. LXXIV.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Persoonia foliis linearibus, sub-villosis; floribus flavis.
Persoonia with linear leaves, a little hairy; flowers yellow.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A flower complete.
2. One Petal of the flower, with its Chive, (magnified).
3. The Pointal, (natural size).
4. The same, (magnified).
The Linear-leaved Persoonia, is indigenous to the same clime as the Lance-shaped leaved, given in our last number; grows to nearly the same height, and makes a handsome greenhouse plant, continuing to flower through the autumnal months; and producing good seeds. J. Robertson, Esq. of Stockwell, Surry, raised this species from seeds in the year 1794; with whom it flowered last year, for the first time in England; and for whose kind communication of a specimen in flower, (from which our drawing was made,) we beg our grateful acknowledgment. It is raised by seeds, or cuttings; and should be planted in peat earth.[Pg 313]
TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium quadripartitum, minimum, erectum, persistens.
Corolla monopetala, infundibuliformis. Tubus cylindraceus, longissimus, tenuis. Limbus quadripartitus, planus; laciniis ovatis.
Stamina. Filamenta quatuor, brevissima, in divisuris corollæ. Antheræ oblongæ.
Pistillum. Germen subrotundum, intra basin calycis. Stylus filiformis, longitudine tubi. Stigma bifidum.
Pericarpium. Bacca subrotunda, bilocularis.
Semina duo, hinc convexa, inde angulata.
Empalement. Cup with four divisions, very small, upright, and remaining.
Blossom of one petal, funnel-shaped. Tube cylindrical, very long, and small. Border of four divisions and flat; the segments egg-shaped.
Chives. Four threads, very short, placed in the divisions of the blossom. Tips oblong.
Pointal. Seed-bud roundish, in the bottom of the cup. Shaft thread-shaped, the length of the tube. Summit two-cleft.
Seed-vessel. A roundish berry, with two cells.
Seeds, two, hollow on the inside, and angled without.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Ixora foliis obtusis, undulatis, petiolatis, floribus fasciculatis, odoratis, sordide luteis.
Ixora with blunt, waved, leaves, having foot-stalks; flowers grow in bunches, are sweet scented, and of a dirty yellow.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement, (magnified).
2. A Blossom with the seed-bud attached, (natural size).
3. The same with the Empalement, (magnified).
4. The Pointal, (natural size).
5. The same, magnified.
To the Lady Dowager de Clifford are we indebted, for the introduction of this new species of Ixora, a native of the East Indies; her Ladyship having received it from thence, in the year 1796. It is a tender hot-house plant, growing to the height of a foot, or more, and very bushy; the bunches of flowers are very large, covering nearly the whole upper part of the plant, and are exceedingly fragrant. The blossoms begin to expand about the beginning of August, and continue to blow in succession, till the end of October. The only plant we have yet heard of, in England, is in her Ladyship’s collection at Paddington; where it has flowered for the first time this year, and where our drawing was made. It is propagated like the other species of Ixora, by cuttings, and should be kept in rich earth.[Pg 317]
DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Ten Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, quinquepartitum, laciniis ovatis.
Corolla. Petala quinque, ovata, sessilia, erecto-patula.
Stamina. Filamenta decem, plana, subulata, pilis intertextis connexa, pistillum obvolventia. Antheræ longitudinaliter filamentis e parte interiori adnatæ.
Pistillum. Germen superum. Stylus erectus, cylindricus, brevissimus, e basi germinis. Stigma capitatum.
Pericarpium. Capsulæ quinque, ovato-acuminatæ, extrorsum coalitæ, apicibus distantes.
Semina solitaria, reniformia, glabra, arillata.
Empalement. Cup one leaf, with five divisions, the segments egg-shaped.
Blossom. Five petals, egg-shaped, sitting close in the cup, upright and spreading.
Chives. Ten threads, flat and awl-shaped, interwove together by hairs, covering the pointal. Tips growing longitudinally from the inner part of the threads.
Pointal. Seed-bud above. Shaft upright, cylinder-shape, and very short, growing from the base of the seed-buds. Summit a knob.
Seed-vessel. Five capsules, pointedly-egg-shaped, joined on the outside, and distant at the ends.
Seeds solitary, kidney-shape, smooth, and covered by an elastic coat.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Crowea, foliis lanceolatis, utrinque glabris, integerrimis; floribus solitariis, axilaribus.
Crowea, with lance-shaped leaves, smooth on both sides, quite entire; flowers grow solitary from the bottom of the leaves close to the stem.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. The Chives.
3. One Chive detached, natural size.
4. The same magnified to shew the situation of the Tip.
5. The Pointal, natural size.
6. The same magnified.
7. A ripe Seed.
The number of handsome flowering plants from New Holland, already figured in the Botanist’s Repository; leads us to hope, the first, and indeed most generally prevailing opinion, that the insignificance of the flowers produced by the plants of that country, rendering them scarcely worth cultivation for ornament; must be nearly, if not quite done away: and we have reason to think, when farther explored, few countries will be able to stand a competition with it, for the singularity, variety, or beauty of its vegetable productions. The Willow-leaved Crowea we consider as one amongst the many strong arguments, to favour our opinion; it is rather a delicate plant, and should be kept in a dry and warm part of the greenhouse, where it will flower from the month of July, till November; growing three feet high, if planted in light sandy peat; and is easily propagated by cuttings. Although, this is the only species at present, in cultivation with us; there is little doubt from the number of handsome specimens of other species, which we have seen, in the different herbariums from Botany Bay; and from the character of the seeds, much resembling those of the Diosma, which are not subject to rapid decay; but we shall very soon be possessed of many more of this very beautiful Genus. Our drawing was made from the nursery at Hammersmith, where it was raised from seeds, in the year 1790. The generic title of this plant, is derived from the name of an English botanist at Norwich, Mr. James Crowe, F. L. S. see Linn. Tran. Vol. IV. page 222.[Pg 321]
DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. Two Chives longer. Seeds covered.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, quinquedentatum, scabrum, persistens.
Corolla, monopetala; tubus longissimus, filiformis, arcuatus; limbus planus, quinquefidus, æqualis; laciniis duabus superioribus reflexis, tribus inferioribus cordatis, subæqualibus.
Stamina. Filamenta quatuor, brevissima, in fauce corollæ, quorum duo superiora extra prominentia. Antheræe oblongæ, obtusæ.
Pistillum. Germen ovato-oblongum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine tubi. Stigma obtusum.
Pericarpium. Capsula ovato-oblonga, acuminata, tecta, bilocularis, apice bifarium dehiscens; dissepimentum contrarium.
Semina numerosa, angulata.
Receptaculum medio dissepimenti adnatum.
Empalement. Cup one leaf, five-toothed, rough, and remaining.
Blossom one petal; tube very long, thread-shaped, and arched; border flat, five-cleft, equal; the two upper divisions reflexed, the three under ones heart-shaped, nearly equal.
Chives. Threads four, very short, in the mouth of the blossom, of which the two upper protrude without. Tips oblong, blunt.
Pointal. Seed bud oblong-egg-shaped. Shaft thread-shaped, the length of the tube. Summit blunt.
Seed-vessel. Capsule oblong-egg-shaped, tapered, covered, two cells, and splitting at the point in two; the partition opposite to the valves.
Seeds numerous, and angular.
Receptacle fixed to the middle of the partition.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Buchnera, foliis laciniatis, oppositis, fœtidissimis; flores umbellulati, terminales.
Buchnera, with leaves appearing torn, opposite and very stinking; flowers terminate the branches in small umbels.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. A Flower cut open, to expose the situation of the Chives.
3. The Pointal magnified.
4. A ripe Seed-vessel.
This species of Buchnera is an annual, and a native of the Cape of Good Hope; from whence, it was introduced to England in the year 1795, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy. It should be raised with other tender annuals in spring, and kept, either to ornament the greenhouse with them in pots, or planted in a warm part of the flower border, about the beginning of June. It will begin to flower about July, and generally has perfected seeds by September; although, it will continue to bloom till destroyed by the frost, as there is a constant succession of blossoms.[Pg 325]
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Involucrum hexaphyllum, multiflorum; foliolis erectis, scariosis, persistentibus.
Corolla. Petala sex, infera, persistentia; laciniis ovatis, concavis.
Stamina. Filamenta sex, sub-globosa, carnosa, germen cingens; ex quibus tria biantherifera, sterilibus tribus interstinctis. Antheræ geminæ, lineares, erectæ.
Pistillum. Germen superum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine staminum. Stigma simplex.
Pericarpium. Capsula obtusetrigona, oblonga, trilocularis, trivalvis.
Semina plura, angulata.
Empalement. Fence six-leaved, containing many flowers; the small leaves are upright, skinny, and permanent.
Blossom. Six petals, beneath and remaining; segments egg-shape, and concave.
Chives. Six threads almost round, fleshy, surrounding the seed bud; of which three bear two chives, each parted by three sterile ones. Tips double, linear, and upright.
Pointal. Seed-bud above. Shaft thread-shaped, the length of the chives. Summit simple.
Seed-vessel. Capsule bluntly three-sided, oblong, three-celled, three-valved.
Seeds many, angular.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Sowerbia, foliis teretibus, mucronatis; scapo nudo, flexuoso; umbella globosa; floribus petiolis longissimis.
Sowerbia, with cylindrical leaves pointed at the ends; flower-stem naked and crooked; the umbel globular; flowers with very long foot-stalks.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Fence.
2. A Blossom complete.
3. The Chives expanded.
4. The Pointal.
The very great resemblance this plant bears in habit, to some species of the garlick and rush, led us, at first sight, to consider it of one of those Genera: but as Dr. Smith has in the fourth Volume of the Linn. Trans. p. 220, constituted it a new genus, from the construction of the chives, we make no scruple to follow such good authority. It is named after Mr. James Sowerby, so well known for his numerous botanical engravings, as attached to different works; but especially, for his excellent coloured plates of English plants. Messrs. Lee and Kennedy of Hammersmith, were the first, who raised this plant from seeds, received in 1792 from Botany Bay. Our drawing was taken in May 1798, the first time it flowered there; it is the full size of the plant, the flower-stem cut off, it being twice the length of the leaves. There is no smell to any part of the plant; but nevertheless, it is very desirable in the greenhouse, from the character of the flowers, which retain their colour with little change, till the seeds are perfected. To increase it, the roots may be parted early in spring, and should be planted in peat earth.[Pg 329]
TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER. Schreb. Gen. Plant. 191.
Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, quadrifidum, inferum.
Corolla monopetala; tubus cylindraceus, brevissimus; limbus longissimus, quadripartitus; laciniis linearibus, apice lanceolatis, interne foveola excavatis, acutis.
Stamina. Filamenta nulla. Antheræ quatuor, lanceolatæ, in foveola laciniarum corollæ sessiles.
Pistillum. Germen superum, minutum. Stylus filiformis, rigidus, corolla longior. Stigma pyramidatum, acutum.
Pericarpium. Capsula ovata, seu globosa, lignosa, unilocularis, bivalvis.
Semina duo, obovata hinc convexa inde plana, ala membranacea terminata.
Obs. In quibusdam speciebus seminibus interjectum est dissepimentum liberum, figura et magnitudine cavitatis loculamenti, coriaceo-lignosum, semibifidum. Grætner de fruct.
Empalement. Cup of one leaf, four-cleft and beneath.
Blossom of one petal; tube cylindrical, and very short; border very long, of four divisions; segments linear, lance-shaped at the ends, having small holes on the inside, which are hollowed out and sharp.
Chives. Threads none. Tips four, lance-shaped, sitting close within the small holes of the segments of the blossom.
Pointal. Seed-bud above and very small. Shaft thread-shaped, stiff, and longer than the blossom. Summit pyramidal, and sharp pointed.
Seed vessel. Capsule egg-shaped or globular, woody, one cell, two valves.
Seeds two, inversely egg-shaped, convex on the one side and flat on the other, having a skinny wing at the end.
Obs. In some species there is found between the seeds a loose partition, the shape and size of the hollow of the cell, tough, woody, and half cleft in two. Grætner on fruits and seeds.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Banksia foliis linearibus, in petiolum attenuatis, æqualiter serratis, apice truncatis cum mucrone.
Banksia with linear leaves, tapering to the foot-stalks, equally sawed at the edge, appearing cut off at the end with a sharp point.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Flower, the summit not yet escaped from the Chives.
2. The same with the summit relieved; magnified, to shew more clearly the shape of the
petals, and the singular situation of the Chives.
3. The Pointal, natural size.
4. A ripe Seed.
This species of Banksia, was the first to vegetate amongst the number of different seeds, which were received by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, from Botany Bay in 1788; thus, has the pre-eminence of seniority here, to all the plants which have been introduced from thence, to Great Britain. From the living and dead specimens we have already seen, this Genus bids fair to rival Protea in the number of its different species; from which, nature seems to have marked but a slight line for Generic distinction. Our figure was taken from a plant now in flower in the greenhouse, (we believe for the first time in Europe,) at the agreeable retreat of J. Ord, Esq. Purser’s-cross, Fulham, being nearly seven feet high; indeed, we have seen specimens which have attained to twelve feet, and more. It is increased by cuttings, and will grow in almost any earth. The cones to which the seed-vessels are fixed, something resemble those of the stone pine, but much larger, and the wood more hard: the seeds are inclosed in capsules which are placed at a considerable distance from each other, at irregular intervals; the spaces filled up with long harsh threads, and apparently abortive seed-vessels.[Pg 333]
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Spathæ bivalves.
Corolla hexapetala, patens; petala tria interiora patentia, angustiora.
Stamina. Filamenta tria, brevia. Antheræ oblongæ.
Pistillum. Germen inferum, oblongum. Stylus simplex, brevissimus. Stigmata tria, bifida.
Pericarpium. Capsula trigona, trisulcata, trilocularis.
Semina plurima, rotunda.
Empalement. Sheaths of two valves.
Blossom six petals, spreading; the three innermost petals are more spread out and narrower.
Chives. Three short threads. Tips oblong.
Pointal. Seed-bud beneath and oblong. Shaft simple, and very short. Summits three, two-cleft.
Seed-vessel. Capsule three sided, three-furrowed, three cells.
Seeds many, and round.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Moræa scapo teriti; foliis radicalibus, lanceolatis, canaliculatis, scapo longiores; floribus terminalibus, tricoloratis.
Moræa with a round flower-stem; the leaves grow from the root, are lance-shaped, channelled, and longer than the flower stem; the flowers are terminal, and three-coloured.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. An outer Petal of the Blossom.
2. An inner Petal of the same.
3. The Chives and Pointal; the petals being cut off, to expose the situation of the Chives hid
under the summits.
To G. Hibbert, Esq. of Clapham Common, we owe the introduction of this beautiful little Moræa, he having received it from his collector at the Cape, in the spring of 1799. It is certainly a perfectly new species here, and we believe has not been seen to flower in Europe before, as it is not in the extensive Collections, of the Emperor of Germany; at least it is not to be found amongst the many figured by Professor Jacquin. The very short duration of the blossoms, at first, had determined us to name it specifically, fugax; but finding we were anticipated in that name, by Jacquin, in his Hortus. III. tab. 26, we have adopted that of tricolor. The drawing was made at Clapham this year, in October; although we conceive the regular season for its blowing would be, June, or July, if planted like other Cape bulbs in autumn. The only means of seeing this plant in perfection, is, by keeping it entirely from the air when near flowering, as it is too delicate to bear the least exposure; it begins to expand about twelve o’clock, and is quite decayed by three. From every appearance, without a supply from the Cape, this delicate little bulb will, (as many others have) be soon lost to this country.[Pg 337]
DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. Two Chives longer. Seeds covered.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx quinque-dentatus. Corollæ limbus quinquefidus, æqualis; lobis cordatis. Capsula bilocularis.
Cup five-toothed. The border of the blossom five-cleft, equal; the lobes heart-shaped. Capsule two-celled.
See Buchnera Fœtida. Pl. LXXX.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Buchnera, foliis dentato-sinuatis; floribus solitariis, pedunculis longissimis.
Buchnera, with leaves that are indentedly toothed; flowers solitary, with very long foot-stalks.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. A Flower cut open, magnified.
3. The Pointal.
4. A Capsule.
This is another beautiful little species of Cape Buchnera, and which, we can consider as little better than biennial; much similar, to some species of different genera from thence; such as, Hebenstreitia, Mahernia, &c. For although they produce woody stems, yet the plants seldom last beyond the second year. From their short duration, it is necessary to keep up a succession yearly; which is done, by making cuttings of them early in spring. Our drawing represents the branch of a plant, in the collection of R. James, Esq. Grosvenor-place, taken in the month of July 1799. It is a very shewy greenhouse plant, and should be plotted in rich mould; if kept free from damps, will continue to flower till the end of November.[Pg 341]
PENTANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. Five Chives. Five Pointals.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium monopetalum, quinquefidum, campanulatum; dentibus subulatis, longioribus; persistens.
Corolla. Petala quinque, cordata, oblonga, patentia, calyce duplo longiora.
Nectaria quinque, obcordata, pedicellata, germen cingentia, calyce breviora.
Stamina. Filamenta quinque, capillaria, nectario infidentia, calyce breviora. Antheræ oblongæ, acuminatæ, erectæ.
Pistillum. Germen subpedicellatum, obovatum, quinquangulum. Styli quinque, setacei, erecti, longitudine petalorum. Stigmata simplicia.
Pericarpium. Capsula ovata, quinquelocularis, quinquevalvis.
Semina nonnulla, reniformia.
Empalement. Cup one leaf, five-cleft, bell-shaped; the teeth awl-shaped, and longer; remaining.
Blossom. Five petals, heart-shaped, oblong, spreading, twice the length of the cup.
Honey-cups five, inversely heart-shaped, having little foot-stalks, embracing the seed-bud, shorter than the cup.
Chives. Five threads, hair like, sitting on the honey-cups, shorter than the cup. Tips oblong, tapered to a point, and upright.
Pointal. Seed-bud supported on a very short foot-stalk, inversely egg-shaped, five-angled. Shafts five, like bristles, upright, the length of the petals. Summits simple.
Seed-vessel. Capsule egg-shaped, five cells, five valves.
Seeds a few, kidney-shaped.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.