Mahernia foliis lanceolatis, glabris, apice dentatis; pedunculis bifloris; corollis luteis, odoratissimis.
Mahernia with lance-shaped leaves, smooth and toothed at the end; foot-stalks bearing two flowers; the blossoms yellow and very sweet.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The cup, (natural size).
2. The Chives, Honey-cups, and Pointals, as they stand in the flower.
3. The same, with the Chives thrown back, as far as the slight junction of the honey-cups
will permit, without tearing.
4. A Chive with its honey-cup, (magnified).
5. The Seed-bud and Pointals, (magnified).
Many species of this Genus have, hitherto, been arranged as Hermannias, to which they are undoubtedly very nigh affined; in nothing essentially varying, but in the character of the chives, being, in this, placed on honey cups, which are wanting in the other; the same natural appearance however of the junction of the supporters of the tips, being common to both. From this small change of the identity of character, so necessary in our artificial system, they are thrown to a wide distance in classification; the one standing in the fifth, the other in the sixteenth class! The Mahernia odorata is from the Cape of Good Hope, and was sent in seeds to England about the year 1792. It is but a short-lived greenhouse plant, and must be raised every two years, at least, from cuttings; which should be made about the beginning of March, and placed on a gentle hot bed, they will by this means become good sized plants by midsummer. The flavour of the blossoms is exactly that of the Jonquil, it continues to flower through the whole year, but is as yet to be found in few collections, although from its different attractions we have no doubt of seeing it soon in most. Rich earth, of old cow dung, and loam, seems to be the soil it most affects. Our drawing was made at the nursery Hammersmith, in July 1799.[Pg 345]
DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. Two Chives longer. Seeds covered.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx quinquefidus, cyathiformis.
Corolla fauce campanulata, quinquefida, subtus ventricosa. Siliqua bilocularis. Semina membranaceo-alata.
Empalement, five-cleft, cup-shaped.
Blossom bell-shaped at the mouth, five-cleft, and bellied beneath. A pod of two cells. Seed winged with a skinny membrane.
See Pl. XLIII. Bignonia Leucoxylon. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Bignonia foliis pinnatis; foliolis lanceolatis, dentatis; caule volubili; floribus racemosis, terminalibus.
Trumpet Flower with winged leaves; the small leaves are lance-shaped, and toothed; a climbing stem; the flowers grow in bunches, and terminate the branches.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. A Flower cut open, to expose the situation of the Chives.
3. The Pointal, and Seed-bud, (magnified).
4. A Seed.
This species of Trumpet Flower, is a native of Norfolk Island in the Pacific Ocean, lying in 29 deg. 2 min. south lat.; therefore, must be kept with us as a greenhouse plant; and, as a creeper, may be placed to twine round the pillars, or to cover trellis work; being of quick growth (if planted in peat earth,) and flowering abundantly from the month of March, ’till June. It is easily increased by cuttings, made in the spring, or by suckers, which it frequently produces from the root. The plant from which our drawing was made, flowered (and we believe for the first time in England) in 1798, in the collection of J. Vere, Esq. Kensington Gore.
Naturalists, when in detailing the history of the various articles passing under their review, should receive with caution, any matter which seems tending to the marvellous; but for the authenticity of the authority, from whence we are furnished with the account of the singularly pestiferous character of this plant, we can with confidence pledge ourselves. Colonel Paterson, now commanding at Port Jackson, New Holland, sent the seeds from Norfolk Island, when he was stationed there, to Messrs. Lee and Kennedy Hammersmith, who first raised it, in the year 1793. The N. I. Trumpet Flower is, in its native soil, a deciduous plant; upon the return of the season, in which the young tendrils begin to shoot, and the leaves begin to appear; within fifteen, or twenty days, the whole plant is entirely covered with a white downy insect, of the genus Aphis, something similar to our blight; which, in a very short time from their first appearance on this plant, become so completely dispersed over every vegetable production, that scarce a green leaf is to be seen through the whole extent of the island. So great a plague was this insect thought to be, from its effects on vegetation, by those who were sent to colonize the island, that it was considered as one of the principal reasons for abandoning the settlement.[Pg 349]
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 6-partita, patens, æqualis. Stigmata tria, erectiusculo-patula.
Blossom six divisions, spreading, and equal. Summits three, nearly upright and spreading.
See Pl. XIV. Vol. I. Ixia reflexa.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Ixia foliis falcatis, glabris, amplexicaulibus; scapo sub-biflora; spathis laceris.
Ixia with scimitar-shaped leaves, smooth and embracing the stem; flower-stem mostly with two flowers; sheaths appearing torn.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The sheath.
2. A Flower cut open.
3. The Pointal, complete.
This truly specious Ixia, has at different periods long since, been seen in our exotic collections; but the delicacy of its root, and of consequence, the difficulty of preserving it, when out of flower, was, no doubt, the occasion of its having been as often lost to us for a time. To the Dutch we are indebted for the last introduction of it to this country, about four years since, amongst many others; from their immense collections of Cape bulbs at Haarlem. Although the root is particularly susceptible of wet, yet, by timely taking up the bulb, even before the upper part of the plant is decayed; and keeping it entirely free from moisture, till it is again planted in October, there will be little danger of its perishing. Our figure was taken in the month of June 1799, at Clapham, from a plant in the Collection of G. Hibbert, Esq. Light sandy peat, with a small portion of rotten old cow-dung, will give it the most vigorous growth.[Pg 353]
DIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Two Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium quinquefidum, tubulosum, erectum, membranaceum, persistens.
Corolla monopetala, infundibuliformis; tubus filiformis, longissimus. Limbus quinquepartitus, planus; laciniis obovatis, æqualibus.
Stamina. Filamenta duo, ad basin spiralia, in fauce corollæ. Antheræ subovatæ, compressæ, extra tubum.
Pistillum. Germen ovatum, compressum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine staminum. Stigmata duo, inæqualia, erecta.
Pericarpium. Capsula spathulata, compressa, bivalvis, bilocularis, dissipimento valvulis contrario.
Semina solitaria, lentiformia.
Empalement. Cup five cleft, tubular, upright, skinny, and remaining.
Blossom one petal, funnel-shaped; tube thread-shaped, and very long. Border divided into five, and flat; the segments are inversely egg-shaped, and equal.
Chives. Two threads, spiral at the base, at the mouth of the blossom. Tips nearly egg-shaped, flattened, and without the tube.
Pointal. Seed-bud egg-shaped and flattened. Shaft thread-shaped, the length of the chives. Summits two unequal, and upright.
Seed-vessel. Capsule spatula shape, flattened, two valves, two cells, the partition contrary to the valves.
Seeds solitary, lentil shape.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Eranthemum foliis lanceolato-ovatis, nervosis; floribus spicatis; bracteis lanceolatis, imbricatis.
Eranthemum with lance-shaped, oval, and strongly nerved leaves; the flowers grow in spikes; the floral leaves are lance-shaped, and tiled.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement, with its four small leaflets.
2. The Blossom cut open, to shew the part of insertion of the Chives.
3. One of the Chives, (magnified.)
4. The Pointal, (natural size.)
5. The same, (magnified.)
6. The Seed-bud.
7. A Seed.
Eranthemum, although standing in our ancientest tables, as a name to different plants; must have been, hitherto, considered as a dead letter in all our modern ones, as attached to the tribe of plants it now titles: but perhaps, to none of the former more aptly could it have been applied; (especially this species, as the Greek word Ήράνθεμον, a compound of Ής the spring, and ἀνθέω to blossom, fairly indicates;) since the E. pulchellum first begins to flower in January, and continues to blossom till May. Linnæus in treating this Genus, acknowledges to have seen but one imperfect specimen; and from this circumstance, left the description of the seed-vessel, and seed, to be determined by future Botanists; as yet, that has not been accomplished, even by the indefatigable and accurate Schreber; indeed, had the character of the pointal been likewise omitted, it would have been as well; since, in place of one, the two unequal summits, (which might escape observation in a dried specimen, from their disproportion in length, and upright situation;) point out a stronger Generical distinction from Justicia, to which it much affines, than either, the regular shape of the limb of the blossom, or the situation of the chives. Our species is a native of the coast of Coromandel, in the East Indies, and was first received in seeds from Dr. Roxburg, at the Royal gardens Kew, in the year 1796. It is a most desirable plant, for although it has hitherto been kept in the hot-house, we have no doubt from its flowering and thriving there, with so little care, in any situation; but that it will soon be considered as a proper inhabitant of the greenhouse. It is with the greatest ease, and certainty, increased by cuttings. Our drawing was made this month, from a plant in flower at the Hammersmith nursery.[Pg 357]
OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Eight Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx infundibuliformis, 4-fidus. Petala quatuor, calyci inserta. Semen unum, subbaccatum.
Cup funnel-shaped, 4-cleft. Four petals fixed into the cup. One seed, something like a berry.
See Gnidia pinifolia, Pl. LII. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Gnidia foliis oppositis, glabris, ovatis, quadrifariam imbricatis; floribus terminalibus, sessilibus, luteis.
Gnidia with opposite smooth egg-shaped leaves, forming four angles and tiled; flowers terminate the branches, sitting close to the stem, and yellow.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Blossom complete.
2. The same cut open, with the Chives attached; the Pointal taken out.
3. The Seed-bud and Pointal, (magnified.)
This Gnidia is from the Cape of Good Hope, from whence it was first sent to England about the year 1783, by Mr. F. Masson to the Royal gardens Kew. It is a tender, and delicate greenhouse plant, very subject to be destroyed by the autumnal rains, or over watering during the winter. It is with great difficulty raised from cuttings, and its seeds seldom or ever, we believe, are perfected with us; from which circumstance, it is to be found in very few collections. Our drawing was made from a plant, in the possession of G. Hibbert, Esq. Clapham, about the middle of July 1799.[Pg 361]
HEPTANDRIA HEPTAGYNIA. Seven Chives. Seven Pointals.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium septempartitum, patens, acutum, persistens.
Corolla. Petala septem, oblonga, æqualia, calyce duplo longiora.
Stamina. Filamenta septem, subulata, longitudine calycis. Antheræ subovatæ, erectæ.
Pistillum. Germina septem, oblonga, desinentia in stylos subulatos, longitudine staminum. Stigmata obtusiuscula.
Pericarpium. Capsula septem, oblongæ, acutæ, parallelæ, univalves.
Semina plurima.
Empalement, Cup of seven divisions, spreading, sharp-pointed, and remaining.
Blossom. Seven petals, oblong, equal, twice the length of the cup.
Chives. Seven threads, awl-shaped, the length of the cup. Tips nearly egg-shaped, and upright.
Pointal. Seven seed-buds, oblong, and ending in awl-shaped shafts, the length of the Chives. Summits bluntish.
Seed-vessel. Seven capsules, oblong, sharp-pointed, parallel, and of one valve.
Seeds many.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Septas, foliis subrotundis, crenulatis, oppositis; glabris; radice tuberosa.
Septas with roundish leaves, slightly scolloped, opposite and smooth; root tuberous.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. The Chives, and Pointals, (magnified).
3. One of the Pointals detached, (natural size).
We are happy in having procured for the entertainment of our botanical friends, a specimen of so singular a plant as the Septas: which, from the conformity of its constituent generic characters in point of numbers, has given it the title it bears and forming for itself an order of plants, in which it stands alone. No plant is better known to botanists than Septas by name; but as yet, there exists only one miserable uncoloured figure of it; which is to be found in the Mantissa of Plukenet, tab. 340, fig. 9. The first plants seen of Septas in England, were purchased in roots from Holland, under the name of Saxifraga Tuberosa, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy Hammersmith. The beginning of August this year, a drawing was taken from a plant in the collection of G. Hibbert, Esq. Clapham, he having received some fine bulbs of it, in the spring, from his collector at the Cape. There are few plants rival Septas for beauty that are of equal size; it is herbaceous, should be removed from its pot when in a state of inaction, and dried like the Anemonie. The bulbs may be cut, or parted at the time of removal for propagation.[Pg 365]
CLASS XVI. ORDER VI. of Schreber’s 8th ed. of Gen. Plant.
MONODELPHIA POLYANDRIA. Threads united. Many Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx imbricatus, polyphyllus; foliolis interioribus majoribus.
Empalement tiled, many leaved; the inner leaves the largest.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER OF VARIETY.
Camellia foliis brevioribus, latioribus; floribus plenis, variegatis.
Camellia with shorter and broader leaves; flowers double and striped.
In hopes that the subject will plead our excuse, in thus again, obtruding a kind of nonentity, in reference to the sexual system, on our scientific friends; and that a figure, of so rare, and beautiful a plant, would be agreeable to all; we have, once more, put by the etiquette of science, for the charms of beauty; yet for this deviation, we think an apology necessary, as it is undoubtedly not conformable to the plan of our undertaking.
This variety of the Camellia Japonica, is of the same date in our gardens, as the double white, and was introduced through the same medium. As yet this plant is found in but very few collections, and is sold at a very high price; not being of free growth, few cuttings, or grafts can be obtained. It has hitherto, been treated as a hothouse plant; but there is no doubt it is equally hardy with the common sort, upon which, all the plants we have as yet seen, and indeed those that were first imported from China, were grafted; an instance in proof, that horticulture must have, there, attained to a considerable degree of perfection, in the operative part: as well as, that possessing double flowering varieties, of their most beautiful plants, which are only produced by a series of cultivation, for ages; incontestably proves the antiquity of the art, (if any fresh proofs were necessary,) in that country. Our figure was made from a drawing taken partly, from a plant which flowered in August last year, in the collection of J. Hibbert, Esq. Clapham; and partly from one now (April) in full bloom, in the conservatory of R. H. James, Esq. Grosvenor-Place; the only ones we have as yet seen in flower; wherefore the time of flowering cannot as yet be fixed.[Pg 369]
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Involucrum spathæforme, bifolium, oblongum, umbelluliferum, post dehiscentiam reflexum.
Corolla monopetala, infundibuliformis. Tubus oblongus, cylindraceus. Limbus sexpartitus; laciniis lanceolato-linearibus, concavis, reflexis, quarum tres alternæ appendiculo uncinato distinctæ.
Stamina. Filamenta sex, subulata, e basi limbi, longitudine limbi, conniventia. Antheræ oblongæ, lineares, assurgentes, incumbentes.
Pistillum. Germen inferum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine floris. Stigma trifidum, minimum.
Pericarpium. Capsula sub-ovata, trilocularis.
Semina plura.
Empalement. Fence sheath-shaped, two-leaved, oblong, bearing a small umbel, after splitting being reflexed.
Blossom one leaf, funnel-shaped. Tube oblong, and cylindrical. Border divided into six segments, that are linearly lance-shaped, concave, and reflexed, of which three alternate ones are marked by a small claw hanging at the lower part.
Chives. Threads six, awl-shaped, growing from the lower part of the border, and of its length, and inclining together. Tips oblong, linear, turned up at the ends, and lying on the threads.
Pointal. Seed-bud beneath. Shaft thread-shaped, the length of the flower. Summit three-cleft, and very small.
Seed-vessel. Capsule nearly egg-shaped, three celled.
Seeds many.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Crinum foliis filiformibus; scapo filiformi, spirali.
Asphodel Lily, with thread-shaped leaves; flower-stem thread-shaped, and spiral.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. A Flower, cut open and magnified; to shew the point of insertion of the Chives, at the
base of the border.
3. The Pointal and Seed-bud (magnified).
4. The Seed-bud cut transversely, and magnified; to shew the situation of the seeds in the
cells, before the splitting of the outer coat, when matured.
5. The Seeds, as they appear after the bursting of the containing coat, and of their natural size.
This curious little plant, has been figured by professor Jacquin in his Ic. rar. 2. tab. 363, under the name of Crinum Tenellum; Thunberg, (who no doubt saw the living plant) in his Prodromus, p. 58, gave it first, the specific title of Spiralis, which to us seems the best possible, we have retained it; although, we differ from him as to the Genus, and which there is no doubt every botanist will, on the examination of the figure, with its appendages. That this plant should ever have been placed under Hæmanthus, by any botanist, is certainly matter of wonder, yet the point is too clear to be contended; scarce one of the essential constituent characters, of the genus, are to be found in our plant, and yet so perfectly in every part answering to Crinum. In Hæmanthus, the fence is composed of many leaves; the segments of the border, standing upright; the Chives longer than the blossom, and fixed into the tube; the Summit simple! &c. &c. We submit this, nevertheless, with deference to superior judgments, as a late publication of much repute, has this plant, under the Generic title we have rejected. The drawing was made in the beginning of March, this year, at Messrs. Lee and Kennedy’s, Hammersmith; by whom, it was received from the Cape of Good Hope in 1792. It is a very hardy bulb, requiring no more protection than a pit, to secure it from the frost. It increases but slowly by the root, but occasionally produces ripe seeds; and should be kept constantly in its pot, in a mixture of peat and loam.[Pg 373]
SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Recept. nudom. Pappus simplex. Cor. radii plures 10. Cal. imbricati squamæ interiores patulæ.
Recept. naked. Feather simple. Florets of the circumference 10 or more. Cup tiled, the innermost scales spread outward.
See Aster dentatus, Pl. LXI.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Aster fruticosus, foliis ovatis sub-imbricatis, recurvatis, serratis; floribus solitariis, terminalibus, sessilibus.
Starwort with egg-shaped leaves, almost tiled, bent backward and sawed; flowers grow solitary, terminal, and sit close to the ends of the branches.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. A Floret of the circumference.
3. The Pointal of the foregoing.
4. A Floret of the centre (magnified).
5. The Chives and Pointal of a floret of the centre (magnified).
6. The Shaft and Summit of the same (magnified).
The singular merit of this pretty greenhouse plant, is, that its blossoms are still to be seen through the whole year; and is kept with as little care, as is required for any. It is with ease, and certainty, increased by cuttings, put in about the month of May; or by seeds, which it sometimes perfects by being kept from the rain in autumn. It is a plant known by name, to most botanists; but has not been introduced to us, till the year 1794, when it was received in seeds from the Cape, at the nursery Hammersmith; where it has flowered, these two successive years, and where our figure was taken.[Pg 377]
MONADELPHIA TRIANDRIA. Threads united. Three Chives.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Spatha univalvis, membranacea, connivens.
Corolla monopetala, supra; tubus filiformis, longus, erectus, apice paullulum ampliatus; limbus sexpartitus; laciniis obovatis, patentibus.
Stamina. Filamenta tria, in cylindrum conata. Antheræ ovatæ.
Pistillum. Germen inserum, obtuse triangulare, glabrum. Stylus filiformis, staminibus paullo longior. Stigmata tria, filiformi-multipartita, patentia.
Pericarpium. Capsula oblongo-subcylindrica, trisulca, trilocularis, trivalvis.
Semina plurima, globosa, minima.
Empalement. Sheath of one valve, skinny, and closing.
Blossom, one leaf, above; tube thread-shaped, long, upright, the upper part a little widened; border divided into six parts; segments inversely egg-shaped and spreading.
Chives. Three threads forming a cylinder. Tips egg-shaped.
Pointal. Seed-bud beneath, obtusely triangular and smooth. Shaft thread-shaped, a little longer than the chives. Three summits, each divided into a number of small threads, and spreading.
Seed-vessel. Capsule of an oblong, and almost cylindrical shape, with three furrows, three cells, and three valves.
Seeds numerous, globular, and small.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Galaxia foliis ovatis margine ciliatis; corollis longissimis, arcuatis, flavis.
Galaxia with egg-shaped leaves, fringed at the edge; blossoms very long, bowed, and yellow.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Sheath.
2. A Flower cut open, to shew where the threads are fixed to the tube of the blossom.
3. The Chives with the Pointal inclosed, the Blossom cut away.
4. The Pointal and Seed-bud.
Any species of this Genus, must be interesting to the English botanist; as, till last year, not one was to be found, in any collection of this country. The G. ovata is figured in Cavanilles, Diss. 6. p. 340. t. 189; and described by Thunberg, in his Nova Genera Plantarum, p. 50. It is a most singular little plant, but we much fear will prove a fugitive to us; like the Ferraria, (to which in many particulars it very nearly affines) its beauty is but of a few hours duration: indeed, so short is the period, that had not Mr. Hibbert taken a sketch of it, whilst in perfection; and from which our drawing was completed, we could not have accomplished a figure of it. As yet, the true season of its flowering cannot be ascertained; but, it was in the month of October, that the plant flowered last year 1779; the bulbs having been received, from the collector for the Clapham collection, still at the Cape, in the spring of the same year. The treatment for this, appears to be the same as that necessary for most Cape bulbs; light sandy peat, a little warmth when approaching to flower; and to be removed from the pot afterwards.[Pg 381]
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Spatha oblonga, obtusa, compressa, emarginata, marcescens.
Corolla. Petala sex lanceolata.
Nectarium squamis sex, extra basin filamentorum, brevissimis.
Stamina. Filamenta sex subulata. Antheræ oblongæ, incumbentes, assurgentes.
Pistillum. Germen inserum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine ferme et situ staminum. Stigma trifidum, tenue.
Pericarpium. Capsula subovata, trilocularis, trivalvis.
Semina plura.
Empalement. Sheath oblong, blunt, compressed, notched at the end, and withering.
Blossom. Six lance-shaped petals.
Honey-cup, six scales from the base of the threads, very short.
Chives. Six awl-shaped threads. Tips oblong, fixed sideways to the threads, and turned up at the end.
Pointal. Seed bud beneath. Shaft thread-shaped, almost the length and situation of the chives. Summit three-cleft, slender.
Seed-vessel. Capsule nearly egg-shaped, three cells, three valves.
Seeds many.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Amaryllis spatha multiflora; corollis revolutis, undulatis, lanceolatis; genitalibus deflexis, divergentibus, corolla triplo longioribus.
Lily Daffodil, with many flowers in the sheath; blossoms turned backward, waved and lance-shaped; the parts of fructification are bent downward, spread from the centre, and thrice the length of the blossom.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Petal, with the Chive attached.
2. The Pointal and Seed-bud, the Petals cut off.
This species of Lily, certainly not a novelty to many as a plant, is nevertheless in its blossom, to most, quite so; for, though few collections are without it, yet we are pretty well assured, in no one has it flowered, at least for many years within the vicinity of London; except, in that of the Right Hon. the Marchioness of Rockingham, at Hillingdon near Uxbridge; for whose kind communication, (though personally unknown to her Ladyship,) of a most beautiful specimen, of which our figure conveys but a faint idea of the brilliancy; we can only thus, express our sincerest thanks. Mr. Greig, who had the goodness to bring the flower himself; informs us, the mode of his treating it is, to plant the bulbs in light sandy peat, and confine them to small pots, nearly half filled with broken tiles, and keep them on a shelf of the hothouse. It is a native of China, was introduced by the late Dr. Fothergill; and generally flowers, according to Mr. Greig, in the month of February, or March; and is increased abundantly from the root, by offsets.[Pg 385]
ICOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Twenty Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, campanulatum, quinquefidum, acutum, coloratum, persistens.
Corolla. Petala quinque, subrotunda, erecto-patentia, calyci inserta.
Stamina. Filamenta numerosa, capillaria, calyce breviora, calyci inserta. Antheræ oblongiusculæ.
Pistillum. Germen inferum. Stylus simplex, longitudine staminum. Stigma capitatum.
Pericarpium. Pomum subglobosum, magnum, coronatum calyce, novemloculare, dissipimentis membranaceis.
Semina plurima, angulata, succulenta. Receptaculum carnosum, singulum loculamentum pericarpii bifariam dividens.
Empalement. Cup one leaf, bell-shaped, five-cleft, pointed, coloured, and remaining.
Blossom. Five petals, roundish, upright and spreading, attached to the cup.
Chives. Threads numerous, hair-like, shorter than the cup, and fixed to it. Tips nearly oblong.
Pointal. Seed-bud beneath. Shaft simple, the length of the chives. Summit a knob.
Seed vessel. A large and nearly round apple, crowned by the cup, five-celled, the partitions skinny.
Seeds numerous, angulated, and juicy. Receptacle fleshy, and dividing each cell of the seed-vessel into two.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Punica foliis lanceolatis, caule arboreo.
Pomegranate with lance-shaped leaves, and tree-like stem.
DIFFERENCE IN VAR.
Punica Gra: Foliis majoribus, pallidioribus; floribus sub-albidis.
Pomegranate with larger and paler leaves; flowers nearly white.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Flower cut open, to shew the insertion of the Petals and Chives, into the cup; with the
situation of the Pointal.
2. The same shewn from the reverse side.
This handsome variety of the common Pomegranate, (for it cannot be considered as a species,) will, it is to be hoped, prove an agreeable addition to our gardens; though not as a fruit tree, yet as an ornamental plant, of the middling hardy class. Indeed we have little doubt of this, if we may judge by analogy, from its deciduous character, or from its natural affinities; as the other sorts of this species, viz. single red, double red, yellow flowered, and another new variety with large red blossoms and larger leaves, all endure our winters, with little, or no protection, in the southern, or western counties of the island; and are all natives of the same clime: from whence, no doubt, they, like the Orange-tree, &c. &c. have been originally transported; though at present considered as indigenous, to all the different countries on the coasts of the Mediterranean sea, where the single red is cultivated for its fruit; the agreeable acidity of which, is considered as a great luxury, in allaying the thirst occasioned by the intense heat, of those parching regions. In the month of April last year 1799, a fine branch, in full flower, was obligingly communicated by Lady Hume, from her select collection at Wormley Bury, Herts; from which our figure was taken, and where it was then flowering for the first time in England. Her Ladyship had received the plant, amongst a number of others, from China, in the year 1796. The fruit did not ripen, which we attribute to its being kept in the hothouse, to which situation, all plants coming from the East, are necessarily consigned on their first importation. The mode of increasing it is certain and easy, by cuttings, or layers; and it grows most luxuriant in light earth, composed of rotten leaves or rotten dung, and light sandy loam.[Pg 389]
OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Eight Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx superus. Corolla monopetala. Filamenta receptaculo inserta. Bacca quadrilocularis, polysperma.
Cup superior. Blossom of one petal. Threads fixed to the receptacle. A berry with four cells, and many seeds.
See Vol. I. Pl. XXX. Vaccinium Arctostaphyllus.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Vaccinium racemis pedicellisque bracteatis; foliis integerrimis, oblongis, acutis, glabris; calycibus adpressis; corollis sub-cylindraceis, costatis; stigma sub-exserta; stamina decem.
Whortle-berry with floral leaves on the branch part of the bunch, as well as on the partial foot-stalks; leaves quite intire, oblong, pointed, and smooth; cups pressed to the blossom; blossoms nearly cylindrical, and ribbed; summit just without the blossom; ten chives.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Blossom and Cup.
2. The Chives and Pointal, magnified.
3. The Seed-bud a little advanced, with the Cup upon it.
4. A nearly ripe Berry, cut transversely, magnified.
From the number of different new and old known species, of this genus, which we have been enabled to examine this spring; and of which drawings have been made, (a figure from one of them being intended to be given in each successive No. till they are finished;) we are more fully confirmed, in what was asserted in a former part of the work, that V. Arctostaphyllus, with the greater part of those plants, now known as Vacciniums, should be placed in Decandria. It is true, a certain latitude has been given by Linnæus, in an observation on the genus, by allowing, that a fourth in addition to the usual number is frequently found, in the different parts of the flower. But when so essential a part of the fructification is, with a very few exceptions, constant through a numerous genus, we cannot but think, in a system, founded chiefly on that basis, that in such case, the mere character of the fruit should give way to first principles; and that those with ten chives should be placed to Andromeda. Or, if the distinction of a dry, from a moist capsule, should be thought of sufficient weight, on which to form a new genus, those species, with ten chives, and berries, might be so arranged. Indeed, the difference in the general habit, of those with ten, from those with eight chives, would well warrant such an alteration. But such a change we have declined making, upon the grounds we have, and are determined to pursue; not to alter any established name, if even a little erroneous; but only to point out the error, or the apparent necessary alteration.
This species of Whortle-berry was first introduced, (according to the Kew Catalogue,) in 1770, by Mr. William Young, from N. America; and is consequently hardy enough to bear the severity of our common winters. It should be planted in sandy peat earth, on a dry, sheltered border. It is propagated by layers, which should be put down in spring, and taken off the succeeding summer. The leaves of this species are deciduous, when planted in the open ground; but, if kept in the greenhouse, where it will be found very ornamental, it becomes an evergreen. Our figure was made at the nursery, Hammersmith, in May this year.[Pg 393]