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.
[Illustration]
PLATE LXXXIII.
MORÆA TRICOLOR.
_Three-coloured Moræa._
CLASS III. ORDER I.
_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.
[Illustration]
PLATE LXXXIV.
BUCHNERA PEDUNCULATA.
_Solitary-flowered Buchnera._
CLASS XIV. ORDER II.
_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.
[Illustration]
PLATE LXXXV.
MAHERNIA ODORATA.
_Sweet Mahernia._
CLASS V. ORDER V.
_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.
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.
[Illustration]
PLATE LXXXVI.
BIGNONIA PANDORANA.
_Norfolk Island Trumpet Flower._
CLASS XIV. ORDER II.
_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.
[Illustration]
PLATE LXXXVII.
IXIA ARISTATA. _Var. atropurpurea._
_Ragged-sheathed Ixia. Var. dark purple._
CLASS III. ORDER I.
_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.
[Illustration]
PLATE LXXXVIII.
ERANTHEMUM PULCHELLUM.
_Blue-flowered Eranthemum._
CLASS II. ORDER I.
_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.
[Illustration]
PLATE LXXXIX.
GNIDIA LÆVIGATA.
_Shining-leaved Gnidia._
CLASS VIII. ORDER I.
_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.
[Illustration]
PLATE XC.
SEPTAS CAPENSIS.
_Cape Septas._
CLASS VII. ORDER IV.
_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.
[Illustration]
PLATE XCI.
CAMELLIA JAPONICA. _Var. flore pleno variegato._
_Double-striped Camellia._
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.
[Illustration]
PLATE XCII.
CRINUM SPIRALE.
_Spiral-stalked Asphodel Lily._
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
_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.