This very handsome tuberous Geranium, and which we have rather placed as a variety than a species, might perhaps by some have been considered as sufficiently distinct to have formed a species; but, indeed, much difficulty arises in the determining, amongst this variable tribe, where to fix determinate specific character. Our present figure was taken from the Hibbertian Collection, where as yet the plant is only to be seen in Britain. It flowers in June or July; does not perfect its seeds, nor has the appearance of easily propagating from the root; the usual method with this link of the Geranium family. It thrives in sandy peat and leaf mould.[Pg 59]
HÆMANTHUS MULTIFLORUS.
Many-flowered Blood-Flower.
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Involucrum hexaphyllum, maximum, umbelluliferum; foliolis erectis, oblongis, persistentibus.
Corolla monopetala, erecta, sexpartita; laciniis erectis, linearibus; tubo brevissimo, angulato.
Stamina. Filamenta sex, subulata, tubo corollæ inserta, corolla longiora. Antheræ incumbentes, oblongæ.
Pistillum. Germen inferum. Stylus simplex, longitudine staminum. Stigma simplex.
Pericarpium. Bacca subrotunda, trilocularis.
Semina solitaria, triquetra.
Empalement. Fence six-leaved, large, bearing a small umbel; leaflets upright, oblong, permanent.
Blossom one petal, upright, six-parted; segments upright, linear; tube very short, angular.
Chives. Threads six, awl-shaped, inserted into the tube of the blossom, longer than the blossom. Tips laying on the threads, oblong.
Pointal. Seed-bud beneath. Shaft simple, the length of the chives. Summit simple.
Seed-vessel. Berry roundish, three-celled.
Seeds solitary, three-sided.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Hæmanthus foliis plicatis, undulatis, erectis, lato-lanceolatis; umbella globosa; floribus confertis; petalis patentibus; scapo ad basin maculato.
Blood flower with plaited leaves, waved, upright and broad-lance shaped; umbel globular; flowers crowded; petals spreading; flower-stem spotted at the base.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
This plant is said to have been in our European gardens so long ago as the year 1603: having, at that time, been sent to Paris by the younger Robin from Guinea. But however this may be, as yet there is no figure of the plant by which it may be known from many of this beautiful tribe, except the one by the late Mr. Nodder. We are indebted for its last introduction to the honourable the Sierra Leone Company, who received, in 1792, the roots of this plant, amongst many others, from that settlement; which were by them presented to Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, at Hammersmith. Our figure was taken in June from a plant in flower this present year, 1803, in the collection of J. Vere, Esq. Kensington Gore, where, from particular management of Mr. Anderson, the same root has flowered several times; a circumstance that but rarely happens with these bulbs after the first year from importation. As a native of so hot a clime it must be kept in the bark bed of the hot-house; and, when the plant is not in flower, should be watered but sparingly. We as yet are unacquainted with any mode by which it may be propagated. It flourishes most in rich mould. Our figure represents the plant in a small specimen, as the head of flowers is frequently, in this country, of three times the size.[Pg 61]
VICIA GALEGIFOLIA.
Goat’s-Rue-leaved Vetch.
CLASS XVII. ORDER IV.
DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Chives in two sets. Ten Chives.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, tubulatum, erectum, semi-quinquefidum, acutum; dentibus superioribus brevioribus, conniventibus; omnibus æqualis latitudinis.
Corolla papillionacea.
Vexillum ovale, ungue lato oblongo, apice emarginatum cum acumine, lateribus reflexum, linea longitudinali compressa elevata.
Alæ duæ, oblongæ, erectæ, semicordatæ, ungue oblongo, vexillo breviores.
Carina ungue oblongo bipartito, ventriculo compresso, semiorbiculato, alis breviore.
Stamina. Filamenta diadelphia (simplex et novemfidum). Antheræ erectæ, subrotundæ, quadrisulcæ.
Nectarii glandulæ intra stamen compositum et germen e receptaculo oritur, brevis, acuminata.
Pistillum. Germen lineare, compressum, longum. Stylus filiformis, brevior, ad angulum erectum adscendens. Stigma obtusum, sub apice transverse barbatum.
Pericarpium. Legumen longum, coriaceum, uniloculare, bivalve, acumine terminatum.
Semina plura, subrotunda.
Empalement. Cup one-leaf, tubular, upright, half five-cleft sharp; the upper teeth the shortest, approaching; all the teeth of equal breadth.
Blossom butterfly-shaped.
Standard oval, with a broad oblong claw, notched at the top, with a point in the middle, sides reflexed, compressed and raised in a line running lengthways.
Wings two, oblong, erect, half-heart shaped, with an oblong claw, shorter than the standard.
Keel, with an oblong two-parted claw, the hollow part compressed like a half circle shorter than the wings.
Chives. Threads in two sets, (one alone, the other nine-cleft.) Tips upright, roundish four-furrowed.
Honey-cup, gland arising from the receptacle between the united threads and the seed-bud; short and tapered.
Pointal. Seed-bud linear, compressed and long. Shaft thread-shaped, shorter, turned upwards from an angle. Summit blunt, bearded transversely on the upper part at the end.
Seed-vessel. Pod long, tough, one-celled, two-valved terminated by a point.
Seeds many, rather round.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Vicia pedunculis multifloris erectis; floribus striatis; foliolis ovalibus, subtruncatis, reflexis.
Vetch with many-flowered, upright fruit-stalks; flowers streaked; leaflets oval, rather appearing cut off at the points, reflexed.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
This pretty plant is a native of New Holland, and was first received in seeds from thence under the name of Indigofera coccinea, in the year 1800, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith. It grows into a bushy plant, making a number of branches from the root, but is rather a woody than herbaceous plant; yet the branches have all the character of most of the species of this genus. It has not as yet been increased by cuttings, but from every appearance the seeds will ripen in this country; and there is little doubt but the roots may be divided with safety. It flourishes in a mixture of sandy peat and loam. Our figure was taken from a plant in the Collection of Messrs. Colvilies, King’s Road, Chelsea; where it has likewise flowered this present August, 1803.[Pg 63]
PULTENÆA ILICIFOLIA.
Holly-leaved Pultenæa.
CLASS X. ORDER I.
DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Ten Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx quinque-dentatus, utrinque appendiculatus. Corolla papillionacea, alis vexillo brevioribus. Legumen uniloculare, dispermum.
Cup five-toothed, with an appendage on each side. Blossom butterfly-shaped, wings shorter than the standard. Pod one-celled, two seeded.
See Pultenæa daphnoides, Pl. XCVIII. Vol. II.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Pultenæa foliis hastatis, serratis, rigidis; floribus axillaribus, racemosis.
Pultenæa with halbert-shaped leaves, sawed and harsh; flowers grow from the insertion of the leaves in long bunches.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
This species of Pultenæa was introduced, from New Holland, about the year 1792, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, and is undoubtedly one of the handsomest of the genus. It is difficult to increase as the seeds do not mature, and it is very rarely propagated by cuttings. It grows to the height of three or four feet; and, when in flower, makes a very brilliant appearance. It is not a long-liv’d plant; is very impatient of wet, and is easily hurt by the cold, so should be kept in a dry and warm part of the green-house, or even on a shelf in the hot-house, during the winter months. It thrives in very sandy peat earth without any mixture. Our drawing was made from a plant in the Hibbertian Collection, in the month of June, 1801.[Pg 65]
ARETHUSA PLICATA.
Plaited-leaved Arethusa.
CLASS XX. ORDER I.
GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA. Chives on the Pointal. Two Chives.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Spatha foliacea. Perianthium nullum.
Corolla, ringens; petala quinque, oblonga, subæqualia, duo exteriora, omnia conniventia in galeam.
Nectarium monophyllum, basi tubulosum, intra corollæ fundum, bipartitum; labio inferiore reflexo, lato, rugoso, longitudine petalorum, propendente; labio superiore lineari, tenerrimo, stylo adnato, apice lobato.
Stamina. Filamenta duo, brevissima, pistilli apici insidentia. Antheræ ovatæ, compressæ, tectæ duplicatura labii interioris nectarii.
Pistillum. Germen oblongum, inferum. Stylus oblongus, incurvus, labio interiore nectarii vestitus. Stigma infundibuliforme.
Pericarpium. Capsula oblongo-ovata, unilocularis, tri-valvis, angulis dehiscens.
Semina numerosa, acerosa.
Empalement. Sheath leafy. Cup none.
Blossom gaping. Five petals, oblong, nearly equal, two outer, all converging into a helmet.
Honey-cup one-leafed, tubular at the base, within the bottom of the blossom, two-parted; lower lip reflexed, broad, wrinkled, the length of the petals, hanging down forwards; upper lip linear, very delicate, fixed to the shaft, lobed at top.
Chives. Two threads, very short, sitting on the top of the pointal. Tips egg-shaped, flattened, covered by the folding of the inner lip of the honey-cup.
Pointal. Seed-bud oblong, beneath. Shaft oblong, incurved, cloathed by the inner lip of the honey-cup. Summit funnel-shaped.
Seed-vessel. Capsule oblong egg-shaped, one-celled, three-valved, splitting at the angles.
Seeds numerous, chaffy.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Arethusa radice globosa; folio cordato, plicato, hirsuto.
Arethusa with a globular root; leaf heart-shaped, plaited and hairy.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
This singular little bulbous rooted plant was received this year, 1803, in the month of April, amongst a number of other curious new seeds and bulbs, from the East-Indies, by Aylmer Bourke Lambert, Esq. by whom they have been communicated to different collections. Although the plant has considerable affinity with Arethusa, yet we entertain doubts whether it should not be placed to Limodorum, as it wants many of the generic characters of the former genus, and but few, and those but trivial in its correspondence, to the latter. We have, notwithstanding, given it the title under which it was sent, submitting our judgment to what we conceive better authority. There is little doubt but the plant will soon be lost in our collections, as but few of this natural order are either to be propagated or kept by any cultivation we are at present acquainted with. Our figure was taken from a plant which flowered in the hot-house of J. Vere, Esquire, Kensington Gore, in the month of July, before there was any appearance of either root or leaf from the bulb. It was in flower at the same time in the Collection of Sir Abraham Hume, Bart. Wormley-Bury, Herts.[Pg 67]
PITCAIRNIA LATIFOLIA.
Broad-leaved Pitcairnia.
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx triphyllus, semisuperus. Petala 3. Squama nectarifera ad basin petalorum. Stigmata tria contorta. Capsula tria, introrsum dehiscentes. Semina alata.
Empalement three-leaved, half superior. Petals three; with a scaly honey-cup at the base of the petals. Three summits twisted. Three capsules, splitting from the inside. Seeds winged.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Pitcairnia foliis integerrimis, basi subspinosis.
Pitcairnia with leaves quite entire, rather spiney at the base.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
The species of Pitcairnia here figured is a native of Jamaica, and was first introduced to Britain by Mr. A. Anderson, in the year 1785. It does not flower so readily as some of the other species, but is equally easy to increase; flourishes in rich earth, and may be kept on a shelf of the hot-house until its flower-stem appears; when, to encourage its flowering, it should be plunged in the bark-bed.—Our drawing was made, in the month of July, from a plant in the Collection of J. Vere, Esquire, Kensington Gore.[Pg 69]
GERANIUM BARBATUM. Var. Minor.
Bearded-leaved Geranium. Lesser Var.
CLASS XVI. ORDER IV.
MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Threads united. Ten Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Monogynia. Stigmata quinque. Fructus rostratus, penta-coccus.
One Pointal. Five Summits. Fruit furnished with long awns, five dry berries.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Geranium foliis pinnatis; foliolis inequaliter, dentatis, apice barbatis; floribus umbellatis; petalis linearibus, recurvatis; staminibus quinque fertilibus, binis longioribus; scapo polystachio; radice tuberosa.
Geranium with winged leaves, leaflets unequally toothed, and bearded at the point; flowers grow in umbels, petals linear, recurved; five fertile chives, two longer; flower-stem branched; root tuberous.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
Our present figure is taken from a plant in the Hibbertian Collection, Clapham; and is a very strong variety of the Bearded-leaved Geranium of a former number, taken from the same source. It is, as far as appearances lead, no way differing in character from the rest of the tuberous species of this genus, to require any other treatment. Flowers in June or July.[Pg 71]
MAGNOLIA PURPUREA.
Purple-flowered Magnolia.
CLASS XIII. ORDER VII. of Schreb. Gen. Plants.
POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. Many Chives. Many Pointals.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx 3-phyllus. Petala 6-12. Capsulæ 2-valves, imbricatæ. Semina baccata, pendula.
Cup 3-leaved. Petals 6-12. Capsules 2-valved, tiled. Seeds, berries, pendulous.
See Magnolia pumila, Pl. CCXXVI. Vol. IV.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Magnolia foliis obovatis, flaccidis; floribus purpureis; petalis obovatis, divaricatis.
Magnolia with inversely egg-shaped, flaccid leaves; flowers purple; petals inversely egg-shaped and straddling.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
This fine species of Magnolia is a native of China and Japan, was introduced to us by the late Mr. Slater of Laytonstone, to whom we are so much indebted for the greatest number of beautiful plants which have been imported from thence by any individual. It is a very free growing plant; will resist the severity of our winters, if planted in a warm situation, and is deciduous; but if kept in the conservatory, it retains its leaves the whole year, and flowers about June. It is propagated with ease by laying, or by cuttings, and thrives in peat earth, with a small mixture of loam. The plant from which our figure was taken is in the magnificent Conservatory of the Right Honourable the Marquis of Blandford, White Knights, near Reading, Berks; and, we believe, the finest specimen of this species of Magnolia in Britain.[Pg 73]
CODON ROYENI.
Prickly Codon.
CLASS XI. ORDER I.
DODECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Twelve Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, duodecempartitum; foliolis subulatis, persistentibus, erectis, alternis brevioribus.
Corolla monopetala, campanulata, basi torulosa; limbo duodecimpartito, aquali.
Nectarium duodecim loculare ex squamis 12, unguibus staminum insertis, conniventibus, receptaculum tegentibus.
Stamina. Filamenta duodecim, longitudine corollæ. Antheræ crassæ.
Pistillum. Germen superum, conicum. Stylus simplex, longitudine staminum. Stigmata duo, longa, setacea, divergentia.
Pericarpium. Capsula bilocularis.
Semina plurima, subrotunda, nigra.
Empalement. Cup one-leaf, twelve-divided; leaflets awl-shaped, remaining, upright, the alternate ones shorter.
Blossom one petal, bell-shaped, rather swelled at the base; border twelve-divided, equal.
Honey-cup twelve-celled, consisting of 12 scales, inserted into the claws of the chives, approaching, covering the receptacle.
Chives. Twelve threads, the length of the blossom. Tips thick.
Pointal. Seed-bud above, conical. Shaft simple, the length of the chives. Summits two, long, like bristles, straddling.
Seed Vessel. Capsule two-celled.
Seeds numerous, roundish, black,
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Codon foliis alternis, cordato-ovatis, acuminatis, setaceo-spinosis; floribus subcapitatis, terminalibus.
Codon with alternate leaves, between heart-shaped and oval, tapered to the point, with spine-like bristles; flowers grow nearly in heads, terminating the branches.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
As an interesting desideratum, this plant has stood long amongst botanical collectors; but till the year 1801, it was never seen, in a vegetating state, in Britain; at which period, it was introduced to our gardens, by Mr. Niven, from the Cape of Hope. It is not, we believe, (although considered hitherto as such,) an annual; but rather, a half woody shrub, easily destroyed by moisture. As the seed appears to ripen freely, although there seems no other mode of perpetuating the plant, we shall stand in no danger of losing it; its attractions are, indeed, not great as to beauty, but much so as to singularity; since we have no plant to which it affines in general habit. The seeds should be sown on a gentle hot-bed, in March, and transplanted when about two inches high, into pots, to flower, which they will do about September. Our drawing was made at the Hammersmith Nursery. Having had the opportunity of examining the flowers, of more than twenty plants; we are convinced it has been wrong placed by Van Royen to decandria; for although many flowers may be found, even on the same plant, some with eight, others with ten chives, yet at least 90 out of 100 have twelve; wherefore we have, without scruple, placed it to dodecandria.[Pg 75]
PHARNACEUM LINEARE.
Linear-leaved Pharnaceum.
CLASS V. ORDER III.
PENTANDRIA TRIGYNIA. Five Chives. Three Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium pentaphyllum; foliolis subovatis, concavis, patentibus, æqualibus, persistentibus, intus coloratus, margine tenui.
Corolla nulla; hinc calycis margo tenuis et calyx interne coloratus.
Stamina. Filamenta quinque, subulata, longitudine calycis. Antheræ basi bifidæ.
Pistilla. Germen ovatum, trigonum. Styli tres, filiformes, longitudine staminum. Stigmata obtusa.
Pericarpium. Capsula ovata, obsoletè trigona, tecta, trilocularis, trivalvis.
Semina numerosa, nitida, orbiculata, depressa, margine acuto cincta.
Empalement. Cup five-leaved; leaflets nearly egg-shaped, concave, spreading, equal, permanent, coloured within, with a thin edge.
Blossom none; hence the edge of the cup is thin and the inside of it is coloured.
Chives. Five-threads, awl-shaped, the length of the cup. Tips cleft at the base.
Pointals. Seed-bud egg-shaped, three-sided. Shafts three, thread-shaped, the length of the chives. Summits blunt.
Seed-vessel. Capsule egg-shaped, bluntly three-cornered, covered, three-celled, three valves.
Seeds numerous, shining, orbicular, flattened, surrounded by a sharp rim.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Pharnaceum foliis linearibus, verticillatis; umbellis inequalibus; calycibus aurantiis; caule decumbente.
Pharnaceum with linear leaves, growing in whorls; umbels unequal; cups orange coloured; stem bending downwards.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
This little plant much resembles our Corn Spurry, or Spergula arvensis, at first sight. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, seldom grows more than six inches high, and is very apt to be destroyed by the damps of our winters. It should be placed in the airyest part of the greenhouse, and kept in light sandy loam. To propagate it, the cuttings should be put in, about the month of March, in the heat of a gentle hot-bed, or the bark-bed of the hot-house; the seeds are sometimes perfected. It has been often introduced to us, but as often lost; as it is not a plant of much shew, no great deal of pains has, hitherto, been taken for its preservation. Our drawing was taken from a plant in the Hibbertian Collection, in the month of July, 1802.[Pg 77]
XERANTHEMUM ARGENTEUM.
Silvery Everlasting-Flower.
CLASS XIX. ORDER II.
SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. Tips united. Superfluous Pointals.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Receptaculum paleaceum. Pappus setaceus. Calyx imbricatus, radiatus; radio colorato.
Receptacle chaffy. Feather bristly. Cup tiled, rayed; ray coloured.
See Xeranthemum speciocissimum, V. I. Pl. LI.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Xeranthemum fruticosum; foliis lanceolatis, carinatis, sericeis; floribus paniculatis, argenteis.
Everlasting flower with a shrubby stem; leaves lance-shaped, keeled, and silky; flowers grow in panicles, and silvery.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
This new species of Everlasting-flower was introduced to us, at the same time, with the X. spirale this work, Pl. CCLXII. by Montague Burgoyne, Esq. of Mark Hall, Essex, in the year 1801. It is a quick growing plant, and has flowered for the first time last April, when our drawing was taken. The flower stems grow to the length of eighteen inches, or more; and the buds, upon their first appearance, have a fine tint of flesh colour, which, however, totally disappears upon the expansion of the flower. It is propagated by cuttings, seeds, (which ripen in this country,) or by parting the branches at the root, as it makes many from one base, which are easily separated by passing a knife between them. It thrives best in sandy peat with a small portion of loam, and must be kept in an airy, dry part of the greenhouse.[Pg 79]
GERANIUM BUBONIFOLIUM.
Macedonian-Parsley-leaved Geranium.
CLASS XVI. ORDER IV.
MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Threads united. Ten Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Monogyna. Stigmata quinque. Fructus rostratus, pentacoccus.
One Pointal. Five Summits. Fruit furnished with long awns, five dry berries.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Geranium foliis pinnatis, pinnis oppositis, lobatis, distantibus, lobis inciso-dentatis, glabris; petalis emarginatis, albis; staminibus quinque fertilibus; radice tuberosa.
Geranium with winged leaves, wings opposite, lobed, distant, lobes deep cut and toothed, smooth; petals notched at the end, white, five fertile chives; root tuberous.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
This Geranium, from the Cape of Good Hope, is quite distinct in its habit, from most of the tuberous species; the leaflets or wings of the leaves being more hand-shaped, and at a greater distance from each other, than in any which has come under our observation; having much the appearance of those of the plant from which we have derived its specific title. The plant was introduced by Mr. Niven, to the Clapham Collection, in 1800; where our drawing was taken in the month of June, 1802. The cultivation as usual, for the plants of this branch of the Geranium family.[Pg 81]
PHARNACEUM LINEARE. Var. flo. albo.
Linear-leaved Pharnaceum. White Var.
CLASS V. ORDER III.
PENTANDRIA TRIGYNIA. Five Chives. Three Pointals.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx 5-phyllus. Corolla nulla.
Capsula 3-locularis, polysperma.
Cup 5-leaved. Blossom none.
Capsule 3-celled, many-seeded.
See Pharnaceum lineare. Pl. CCCXXVI. V. V.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Pharnaceum foliis linearibus, verticillatis; umbellis inequalibus; calycibus albo-virentibus; caule decumbente.
Pharnaceum with linear leaves, growing in whorls; umbels unequal; cups whitish green; stem bending downwards.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
We have given this variety of the linear-leaved Pharnaceum, at the same time with the orange-coloured, as being the only two Cape species, at present, in our gardens. It is equally tender and delicate with its fellow, is equally difficult to propagate; and was introduced, this last time, to the Hibbertian Collection in 1800, by Mr. Niven, with it.[Pg 83]
NYMPHÆA STELLATA.
Starr’d Water-Lily.
CLASS XIII. ORDER I.
POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Many Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx 4, 5, seu 6-phyllus. Cor. polypetala. Bacca multilocularis, truncata.
Cup 4, 5 or 6-leaved. Bloss. many petals. Berry many-celled, appearing cut off at top.
See Nymphæa cœrulea, Pl. CXCVII. Vol. III.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Nymphæa foliis subrotundis, sinuatis, subtus purpurascentibus; lobis divaricatis, acutis; calyce tetraphyllo, petalis acutis cœruleis longiore.
Water-lily with nearly round leaves, scollopped and purplish underneath; lobes straddling and pointed; cup four-leaved, longer than the pointed, blue petals.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
This fine species of Water-lily is a native of the East Indies, on the Malabar coast; and has been given by Rheed, in his Hortus Malabaricus, Vol. II. p. 53. fig. 27. At first sight, it has much the appearance of N. cœrulea, but upon closer inspection it is found to possess many strongly differing characters, viz. In this, the under part of the leaves are purplish, the lobes straddle; in that, they are tiled, or lay upon each other; in N. stellata the petals or chives seldom exceed ten; whereas, the N. cœrulea has an indefinite number of both. The roots, likewise, are perfectly distinct; in N. cœrulea the diverging roots proceed from the lower part of the bulb, from whence the leaves issue, but in N. stellata from the top, leaving below them a smooth top-shaped bulb. The parts which compose the summit, or rather the summits, (for indeed we should consider them, if it lay with us, as distinct pointals,) are expanded horizontally when the flower is in its perfect state, forming a star like appearance, whence its specific name. It is much tenderer than N. cœrulea, and will not flower but in strong heat. Mr. Anderson informs us that the plants which have produced perfect seeds, this year, were from seeds, received by A. B. Lambert, Esq. (communicated by Dr. Roxburgh from India) in the month of March, and raised by him for the collection of J. Vere, Esq. Kensington Gore, where our drawing was made in August.[Pg 85]
XYLOPHYLLA FALCATA.
Cymitar-shaped-leaved Xylophylla.
CLASS XXI. ORDER III.
MONŒCIA TRIANDRIA. Chives and Pointals separate. Three Chives.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
* Masculi flores.
Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, tripartitum, coloratum; laciniis ovatis, patulis, ovatis.
Corolla. Petala tria, ovata, concava.
Stamina. Filamenta tria, brevissima, basi approximata. Antheræ subrotundæ, didymæ.
* Feminei flores in eodem fasciculo cum masculis.
Calyx. Perianthium ut in mare.
Corolla ut in mare.
Nectarium corpusculis glandulosis germen ambientibus.
Pistillum. Germen subrotundum, trisulcatum. Styli tres, patuli, bifidi. Stigmata obtusa.
Pericarpium. Capsula trigona, trisulca, trilocularis; loculis bivalvibus.
Semina solitaria.
* Male flowers.
Empalement. Cup one leaf, three divided, coloured; segments egg-shaped, spreading, oval.
Blossom. Petals three, egg-shaped, concave.
Chives. Threads three, very short, and approaching at the base. Tips roundish, double.
* Female flowers in the same tuft with the males.
Empalement. Cup as in the male.
Blossom as in the male.
Honey-cup is formed of small glandular bodies surrounding the seed-bud.
Pointal. Seed-bud roundish, three-furrowed. Shafts three, short. Summits blunt.
Seed-vessel. Capsule three-sided, three-furrowed, three cells; cells two-valved.
Seeds solitary.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Xylophylla foliis sparsis, integris, falcatis, crenatis; crenis remotis, floriferis; floribus rubris.
Xylophylla with leaves scattered on the stem, entire, cymitar-shaped and scolloped; the scollops distant, and having the flowers on them; flowers red.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.