n. 24; Jac. Ic. Rar. 2. t. 237; of the Kew Cat. Vol. I. p. 63; Martyn’s
Miller, art. Glad. 5. and of Willdenow’s Spe. Plant. T. 1. p. 220; yet,
we cannot refrain from joining in opinion with the late Mr. Curtis that
it approaches as near Ixia, as Gladiolus; for the Ixia rubro-cyanea of
the Bot. Mag. is but a variety of this species. But we cannot so readily
_baboonify_ our senses, with trifling changes, as to think, with a
modern reforming author, that a new genus was necessary, in this
instance, to rectify this part of the Species Plantarum, of the
_incompetent_! _Linnæus._
[Illustration]
PLATE CCLXIX.
GERANIUM LACINIATUM.
_Var. bicolor._
_Ragged-leaved Geranium._
_Two coloured-flower Var._
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 radicalibus integris laciniatisque; laciniis acutis;
petiolis filiformibus; calycibus monophyllis; staminibus quinque
fertilibus; radice tuberosa; floribus bicoloribus.
Geranium with the leaves growing from the root entire and jagged;
segments pointed; foot stalks thread-shaped; cups one-leaved; five
fertile chives; root tuberous; flowers two-coloured.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement, a little magnified.
2. Chives, natural size.
3. The same, magnified and spread open.
4. The Pointal and seed-bud, magnified.
This very handsome variety of the ragged-leaved geranium, is but little
different from the purple-flowered Var. figured No. CCIV. of this work,
Vol. III, except in the colour of the flowers, and that the leaves are
rather more cut. It was introduced the same year to the Hibbertian
collection, flowers in the same month and requires the same treatment,
as the above variety.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCLXX.
PROTEA PULCHELLA.
_Waved-leaved Protea._
CLASS IV. ORDER I.
_TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Four Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
COROLLA 4-fida seu 4-petala. Antheræ lineares, insertæ petalis infra
apicem. Calyx proprius nullus. Semina solitaria.
BLOSSOM 4-cleft or four petalled. Tips linear, inserted into the petals
below the point. Cup proper, none. Seeds solitary.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Protea foliis lanceolatis, undulatis, rubro marginatis, pilosis; squamis
calycis tricoloratis; capitulo erecto, terminali.
Protea with lance-shaped leaves, waved, margined with red and hairy;
scales of the cup three-coloured; flower head upright, and terminal.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Floret complete with the seed-bud.
2. The four Petals of the same, with the Tips shewn at their ends.
3. Pointal and Seed-bud.
This Protea, from the Cape of Good Hope, merits the attention of those
who wish to beautify their collections, with distinguished objects; as,
it flowers the third year from the seed, and is equally handsome with
Protea mellifera. The cone for two months before it opens is extremely
beautiful, and it is in flower nearly one more; and this, at a time when
the plant has, scarcely, attained a foot in height. It is not inclined
to branch till it has flowered, but from the lower part of the cone the
branches begin to extend. The leaves from their hairiness have a whitish
appearance, are finely edged with a light pink, and are slightly waved.
It is propagated by cuttings, should be planted in light sandy loam, and
flowers in September. Our drawing was made from a plant in the
Hibbertian collection; to which it was introduced by Mr. Niven, in the
year 1799, amongst the first seeds which were sent, by him, from the
Cape.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCLXXI.
ASCLEPIAS GIGANTEA.
_Gigantic Swallow-wort, or Auricula tree._
CLASS V. ORDER II.
_PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA._ Five Chives. Two Pointals.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
CALYX. Perianthium quinquefidum, acutum, parvum, persistens.
COROLLA. Monopetala, plana vel reflexa, quinquepartita, laciniis
ovato-acuminatis, levitèr cum sole flexis.
_Nectaria_ quinque, tubo filamentorum infra antheras adnata, carnosa seu
cucullata, e fundo corniculum acutum introrsum flexum exserentia.
STAMINA. Filamenta quinque, in tubum, basi ventricosum, connata. Antheræ
oblongæ, erectæ, biloculares, membrana inflexa, stigmati incumbente
terminatæ, utrinque ala reversa deorsum latescente. Pollen connatus in
corpuscula decem, obverse-lanceolata, plana, in loculis antheræ
dependentia e filis brevibus, sæpe flexuosis; quæ per paria annexa sunt
tuberculis quinque, cartilagineis, didymis, angulis stigmatis, inter
antheras, adhærentibus.
PISTILLA. Germina duo, oblonga, acuminata. Styli duo, subulati. Stigma
utrisque commune, magnum, crassum, pentagonum, supra apicibus antherarum
tectum, medio umbilicatum.
PERICARPIUM. Folliculi duo, magni, oblongi, acuminati, ventricosi,
uniloculares, univalves.
SEMINA numerosa, imbricata, pappo coronata. Receptaculum membranaceum,
liberum.
EMPALEMENT. Cup five-cleft, sharp, small, remaining.
BLOSSOM one petal flat or reflexed, five-parted; divisions pointedly
egg-shaped, slightly bending with the sun.
_Honey-cups_ five, growing to the tube of the threads below the tips,
fleshy or hooded, protruding a sharp horn from the bottom which bends
inwards.
CHIVES. Five threads collected into a tube swelling at the base. Tips
oblong, upright, two-celled, terminated by an inflex membrane laying on
the summit, having a reversed wing on each side, growing broader
downwards. The pollen is collected into ten small bodies inversely
lance-shaped, flat, hanging down into the cells of the tips by short
threads, often flexible, which are fixed by pairs to five skinny twin
tubercules, adhering to the angles of the summit, between the tips.
POINTALS. Seed-buds two, oblong, tapered. Shafts two, awl-shaped. Summit
common to both, large, thick, five-cornered, covered at top by the ends
of the tips, umbilicate in the middle.
SEED-VESSEL. Two pods, large, oblong, tapered, bellied, one celled, one
valved.
SEEDS numerous, tiled, crowned with a feather. Receptacle skinny, free.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Asclepias foliis candidis, obovato-oblongis; petiolis brevissimis;
laciniis corollæ reflexis.
Swallow-wort with whitened leaves, between inversely egg-shaped and
oblong; foot-stalks very short; segments of the blossom reflexed.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. The Chives and Pointal, natural size.
3. The Chives and Pointal, without the five outer scales or honey-cups,
magnified.
4. One of the outer scales, magnified.
5. One of the inner, upright scales, which surround the seed-buds,
magnified.
6. The Seed-buds, Shafts and Summit, with the chives attached to the
summit, magnified.
The Gigantic Swallow-wort, a native of the East Indies, is a very tender
hot-house plant; is very subject to lose its leaves in winter, and
requires the assistance of the bark-bed to keep it in perfection. In the
Kew Catalogue, it is said to have been cultivated so long ago as the
year 1690, at the Royal Gardens, Hampton Court. To render it vigorous
and flourishing, it should be planted in rich earth; composed of, one
half rotten dung, and the other leaf mould and loam; and watered but
sparingly in winter. It is seldom propagated but from seeds, which are
frequently procured from the East, and as often from the West Indies. In
the island of Jamaica, it is known by the name of the Auricula tree,
where it attains to the height of six or seven feet. Our drawing was
taken from a most magnificent specimen, obligingly sent us by Mrs.
Methuen, (of which our figure represents but a small side bunch),
measuring above a foot in diameter. The plant, we believe the finest in
England, is in the collection of Paul Methuen, Esq. Corsham, Wilts.
Much as we are inclined to tread in the beaten path of our predecessors,
and, more particularly, that of the greatest luminary of this intricate
science, Linnæus, yet can we, but with regret, forbear an alteration we
think so necessary, in the classification of this genus. That the class
Gynandria may, or ought to be excluded from the twenty-four, we shall
not be forward to give our suffrage, in conjunction with some modern
reformers; and, as they term themselves, improvers upon the Linnæan
system; but, whilst it is retained, this genus has stronger claims, in
our opinion, upon it, than any which has hitherto been thrown to it.
Indeed we had so classed it, upon such grounds had formed its generic
character; and had hopes, no one would have disputed our position as
just, upon an inspection of the dissections annexed to the figure. Yet
fearing, by some, it might be considered as a perplexing innovation; for
innovation in all cases is certainly more or less so, the genus having
passed the scrutinising ordeal of so many botanists; we have,
reluctantly, for the present, given up what, nevertheless, we shall
consider as necessary for some bolder hand than ourselves to undertake.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCLXXII.
EMBOTHRIUM LINEARE.
_Narrow-leaved Embothrium._
CLASS IV. ORDER I.
_TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Four Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
CALYX nullus. Corolla tetrapetala. Stamina limbo petalorum inserta.
Folliculus polyspermus. Semina alata.
EMPALEMENT none. Blossom four-petalled. Chives inserted into the limb of
the petals. A one-celled pod many seeded. Seeds winged.
See EMBOTHRIUM SERICEUM, Pl. C. Vol. II.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Embothrium foliis linearibus, subtomentosis, uninerviis; florum racemis
axillaribus; corollis albis. Semina nuda.
Embothrium with linear leaves rather downy, one-nerved; the small heads
of flowers grow from the insertion of the leaves; the blossoms white.
Seeds naked.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Flower, complete.
2. One of the petals, with the chive at the end.
3. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summit, magnified.
4. A ripe Seed-pod burst and empty.
5. A ripe Seed.
This species of Embothrium was introduced to Britain at the same time as
the Silky Embothrium, of our second volume, plate 100; and has been
considered but as a third variety of it, by Dr. Smith, in his First
Number of New Holland Botany, page 23. But the total difference in the
habit of the plant, except in the shape of the flowers, has induced us
to give it a specific title. It grows to the height of five or six feet,
not very bushy; abounding through the whole year in a succession of
flowers, which proceed from the young branches; ripe seed being produced
upon the plant at the same time. It should be planted in light sandy
peat, and kept in a dry part of the green-house, as the younger branches
are apt to suffer from damps in the months of December and January. Our
drawing was made at the Hammersmith nursery, in the year 1800, about the
month of July.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCLXXIII.
LOBELIA PINIFOLIA.
_Pine-leaved Lobelia._
CLASS XIX. ORDER VI.
_SYNGENESIA MONOGAMIA._ Tips united. Flowers simple.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, quinquedentatum, minimum, germini
circumnatum, marcescens; denticulis subæqualibus.
COROLLA monopetala, irregularis; tubus cylindraceus, calyce longior,
superne longitudinaliter divisus; limbus quinquepartitus; laciniis
lanceolatis, quarum superiores dure minores, magis reflexæ, profundius
divisæ, constituentis labium superius; tres reliquæ inferiores magis
patentes, sæpius majores.
STAMINA. Filamenta quinque, subulata, longitudine tubi petali. Antheræ
connatæ in cylindrum oblongum, basi quinquefariam dehiscentem.
PISTILLUM. Germen acuminatum, inferum. Stylus cylindraceus, longitudine
staminum. Stigma obtusum, hispidum.
PERICARPIUM. Capsula ovata, biloculariis, apice dehiscens, cincta
calyce.
SEMINA plurima, minima.
EMPALEMENT. Cup one leaf, five-toothed, very small, growing round the
seed-bud, withering; toothlets nearly equal.
BLOSSOM one petal, irregular; tube cylindric longer than the cup,
divided longitudinally above; border five-parted; segments lance-shaped,
of which the two upper ones are smaller, more reflexed, deeper divided
and form the upper lip; the three other lower ones spread more, and
often are larger.
CHIVES. Five threads, awl shaped, the length of the tube of the petal.
Tips joined together forming an oblong cylinder, splitting into five
divisions at the base.
POINTAL. Seed-bud tapered, beneath. Shaft cylindrical the length of the
chives. Summit blunt, hairy.
SEED-VESSEL. Capsule egg-shaped, two celled, splitting at top, girt by
the cup.
SEEDS numerous, small.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Lobelia foliis lanceolato-linearibus, confertis, integerrimis;
denticulis calycinis longissimis; floribus cæruleis.
Lobelia with leaves between lance and linear-shaped, crowded together,
and quite entire; toothlets of the cup very long; flowers blue.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. A Blossom spread open, with the chives in their place.
3. A half ripe seed-pod.
4. The Pointal, with the summit detached and magnified.
5. A ripe seed-vessel, cut transversely.
About the year 1786, this plant was sent by Mr. F. Masson, to the royal
gardens at Kew; as we find it in the catalogue of that collection.
Nevertheless a single plant of it was not to be found in any of our
botanic gardens, for these few years back; until the recent introduction
of it, by Mr. Niven, to the Hibbertian Collection in 1789. It is a very
delicate shrub; grows to the height of eighteen inches; branching but
little, and producing mostly two flowers at the termination of each
branch. It may be increased by cuttings, or from the seed, which ripens
in this country; but, like most of the species of this genus, it is not
a long lived plant. It approves most of a light sandy peat, with a small
mixture of loam; and to be kept in rather a small pot, in proportion to
the general size used for plants of the same bigness. Flowers in July.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCLXXIV.
ORNITHOGALUM LACTEUM.
_Large White-flowered Star of Bethlehem._
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
COROLLA 6-petala, erecta, persistens, supra medium patens. Filamenta
basi dilatata. Capsula 3-locularis. Semina subrotunda, nuda.
BLOSSOM 6-petals, upright, remaining, spreading above the middle.
Threads widened at the base. Capsule 3-celled. Seeds roundish, naked.
See ORNITHOGALUM ODORATUM. Pl. CCLX. Vol. IV.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Ornithogalum racemo longo; filamentis subulatis, alternis
sub-lanceolatis; bracteis membranaceis, ovatis, pedunculo duplo
brevioribus; foliis lanceolatis, acutis, ad oras villosis; floribus
albidis.
Star of Bethlehem with a long flower spike; threads awl-shaped,
alternate ones nearly lance-shaped; flower props skinny, egg-shaped,
twice as short as the fruit-stalk; leaves lance-shaped, acute, finely
haired at the edges; flowers white.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. One of the Flower-props.
2. The Chives and pointal, the petals being removed.
3. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summit.
This fine species of Star of Bethlehem, from the Cape of Good Hope, was
first introduced to Britain, from thence by Lady Miller, of Froyle Place
near Alton, Hampshire, in the year 1796. It is a very hardy bulb, but
does not flower every year, in this country. It will live with a very
slight protection from the severest frosts in winter; should be planted
in sandy loam; kept rather dry after the decay of the leaves; and only
removed from its pot to renew the earth. It propagates by the root, and
flowers in July. Our drawing was made from a plant which had been
received from the Cape, in the Hibbertian Collection.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCLXXV.
GLADIOLUS RINGENS.
_Var. undulatus._
_Gaping-flowered Gladiolus._
_Waved-flowered Var._
CLASS III. ORDER I.
_TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
COROLLA sexpartita, ringens. Stamina adscendentia.
BLOSSOM six divisions, gaping. Chives ascending.
See GLADIOLUS ROSEUS, Pl. XI. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Gladiolus foliis linearibus, costatis; floribus ringentibus, cineriis;
petalis undulatis.
Gladiolus with linear leaves, ribbed; flowers gaping, ash coloured;
petals waved.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The two valves of the Empalement.
2. A Blossom spread open, with the chives in their place.
3. The Pointal, one of the divisions of the summit magnified.
The Clapham collection we believe to be the only one which, at present,
possesses this handsome variety of the Gaping Gladiolus. It was
introduced, from the Cape, by Mr. Niven in 1800. Our drawing was made in
August of the above year, but its natural season of flowering, if we may
judge by analogy, should be about May or June, at latest. It increases
by the root, and should be treated as a tender Gladiolus. The flower is
without smell.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCLXXVI.
MONSONIA FILIA.
_Hairy-leaved Monsonia._
CLASS XVIII. ORDER II.
_POLYADELPHIA DODECANDRIA._ Threads in many Sets. Twelve Chives.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
CALYX. Perianthium pentaphyllum erectum; foliolis lanceolatis, sub apice
mucronatis, æqualibus, persistentibus.
COROLLA. Petala quinque, obovata æqualia, flaccida, plicata, margine
inequaliter dentata.
STAMINA. Filamenta quindecim, erecta, connata in quinque corpora, e 3
singula. Antheræ oblongæ, versatiles.
PISTILLUM. Germen pentagonum, breve. Stylus columnaris. Stigmata
quinque, recurva, oblonga.
PERICARPIUM nullum. Fructus rostratus, pentacoccus.
SEMINA solitaria, arillata; arista longissima demum spirali.
EMPALEMENT. Cup five-leaved upright; leaflets lance-shaped, pointed at
the end, equal, and remaining.
BLOSSOM. Five petals, inversely egg-shaped, equal, flaccid, plaited,
unequally toothed at the margin.
CHIVES. Fifteen threads, upright, formed into five bodies, three to
each. Tips oblong, versatile.
POINTAL. Seed-bud five-sided, short. Shaft columnar. Five summits,
recurved and oblong.
SEED-VESSEL none. Fruit furnished with long awns, five dry berries.
SEEDS solitary, in a seed-coat with a very long awn, becoming spiral.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Monsonia foliis inciso-lobatis, hirsutis; lobis inequaliter dentatis.
Monsonia with deeply-cut lobes, hairy; lobes unequally toothed.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. A Petal of the flower, shewn from the backside.
3. A Petal of the flower, shewn from the inside.
4. The Chives and Pointal divested of the petals.
5. The Chives spread open, to shew the number of distinct bodies into
which they are divided.
6. The Seed bud, Shaft, and Summits.
7. A Seed-bud cut transversely.
8. One of the berries, taken from its coat, a little advanced to
maturity.
The Genus Monsonia was formed by Linnæus, in honour of the Right Hon.
Lady Ann Monson, whose enthusiasm, in pursuing the study of natural
history, knew no bounds; and whose liberal and fostering hand
contributed more, perhaps, than any of her cotemporaries, by her
encouragement and example, to the then incipient, but now so prevailing
taste for the study of Botany.
The Monsonias are all natives of the Cape of Good Hope; are rather
herbaceous plants than shrubs, at least, those generally denominated
such; for although the Geranium spinosum has been given to this genus,
we have our doubts whether it ought not to remain with Geranium. They
are hardy green-house plants, flower in the months of July and August;
are propagated by the cutting small portions from the roots; and should
be planted in a mixture of sandy peat and loam. This species was
introduced by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy in the year 1788. Our drawing was
made from a plant in the Hibbertian collection..
It is rather strange that Thunberg in the second part of his Prod.
Plant. Cap. published in 1800; and Wildenow in his Spec. Plant. volume
the third, part 1, published the same year, should both, in the
classification of this genus rather wish to alter its class, as Schreber
and Cavanilles had done before them, than give it, in their works, under
the class and title where it was originally placed, by the founder of
the genus; or take it up on the authority of the catalogue of the plants
in the Kew gardens; where, unquestionably, two species, at least, had
flowered antecedent to the publication of that work. But indeed both of
them, have so jumbled the different synonims which they have adapted to
the three species known at present in our gardens under the names of M.
speciosa, M. lobata, and M. filia, that it is nearly impossible to
recognize in either publication the different plants under the
charactered titles they bear with us. As for Thunberg, he has thrown
them all to Geranium, under new specific names: and thus, has made his
alteration complete. Wildenow indeed has but changed the class, and
altered one specific title; but by new naming that which is our M.
speciosa he has been obliged to give the name of speciosa to our present
plant, and place the specific _filia_, as given by Linnæus to this, as a
synonim to M. lobata, upon the authority of Cavanilles; who, we must
presume, had never seen more than dried specimens of any species of this
genus. But however, we shall not pretend to clear up the bewildered
state, in which we there find this tribe of plants; or attempt to throw
any farther light on a subject that seems to have been, short as it is,
a complete puzzle to two such eminent botanists; but merely state our
ideas, that we think these plants were sufficiently well arranged under
the first assumed class, and equally readily to be known by their old
specific titles.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCLXXVII.
PROTEA SPECIOSA.
_Var. foliis glabris._
_Smooth-leaved Shewy Protea._
CLASS IV. ORDER I.
_TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Four Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
COROLLA 4-fida seu 4-petala. Antheræ lineares, inserta petalis infra
apicem. Calyx proprius nullus. Semina solitaria.
BLOSSOM 4-cleft or 4 petals. Tips linear, inserted into the petals below
the point. Cup proper none. Seeds solitary.
See PROTEA FORMOSA, Pl. XVII. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Protea foliis lanceolatis, glabris; squamæ calycinæ interiores barbatæ,
apice incurvatæ, fuscæ.
Protea with lance-shaped smooth leaves; the inner scales of the
empalement are bearded, turned inward at the point and brown.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Seed-bud and Pointal.
2. A Flower spread open, with the tips in their places.
This fine variety of the Shewy Protea might, indeed, almost pass for a
distinct species. It was introduced, to Britain, in the year 1794, by
Mr. Williams, Nurseryman, of Turnham Green. The only living specimen in
Britain, we believe, of this plant, is at present in the Hammersmith
collection. As yet no increase has been produced from it, either by
cuttings, or seeds; for although the plant flowers every year, and the
seeds in the cone, or rather flower-cup, seem perfect, they never
vegetate. It is a hardy, and handsome growing Protea, requiring little
attention, and may be placed in any part of the green-house; grows about
three feet high, very bushy, and flowers near the month of October.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCLXXVIII.
MELALEUCA CORONATA.
_Flax-leaved Melaleuca._
CLASS XVIII. ORDER IV.
_POLYADELPHIA POLYANDRIA._ Threads in many Sets. Many Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
CALYX quinquefidus, semisuperus. Petala quinque. Filamenta multa
longissima, connata in quinque corpora. Pistillum unum. Capsula
3-locularis.
CUP five-cleft, half above. Petals five. Threads numerous, very long,
united into five bodies. Pointal 1. Capsule 3-celled.
See MELALEUCA ERICÆFOLIA, Pl. 175. Vol. III.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Melaleuca foliis oppositis, lanceolatis, enerviis, glaberrimis; floribus
sessilibus, ad basin ramulorum confertis; filamentis pinnatis,
incurvatis, purpureis.
Melaleuca with opposite, lance-shaped leaves, without nerves and very
smooth; flowers grow close to the branches, and crowded together at
their base; threads winged, turned inward, and purple.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement and Seed-bud.
2. The same, shewn in a front view.
3. A Petal.
4. One of the five bundles of Chives, magnified.
5. The Seed-bud with the shaft remaining, the cup cut off.