1. The Cup of a flower, natural size.
2. A Blossom, with the Chives in their place, cut open.
3. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summit, the Summit magnified.
Few of the plants from New Holland have excited more admiration than the
Styphelias; the S. tubiflora figured in the New Holland botany of Dr.
Smith, the S. triflora given in the first Vol. of this work, our present
plant, together with the numerous other species already known from dried
specimens, lead us to conjecture that the genus is as copious as any,
Banksia not excepted, from that country. This plant grows to the height
of two feet, or more; the flowers nearly covering the branches. It is
rather delicate, requiring but little water, in the winter months; as it
is certain to perish, if kept wet any considerable time. Is propagated
by cuttings, and must be kept in a small pot, proportional to the size
of the plant, in very sandy peat earth. Our figure was taken from a
plant in the Hibbertian collection, in the month of April, 1803. All the
plants, at present in Britain, of this species of Styphelia, are the
offspring of one solitary seed, received by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy from
New Holland, in the year 1791.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCCXIII.
JUSTICIA LUCIDA.
_Shining-leaved Justicia._
CLASS II. ORDER I.
_DIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Two Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, minimum, quinquepartitum, acutum,
erectum, angustum.
COROLLA monopetala, ringens; tubus gibbus; limbus bilabiatus, labium
superius oblongum, emarginatum, labium inferius ejusdem longitudinis,
reflexum, trifidum.
STAMINA. Filamenta duo, subulata, sub labio superiore recondita. Antheræ
erectæ, ad basin bifidæ.
PISTILLUM. Germen turbinatum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine et situ
staminum. Stigma simplex.
PERICARPIUM. Capsula oblonga, obtusa, basi angustata, bilocularis,
bivalvis; dissepimento valvulis contrario, ungue elastico dehiscens.
SEMINA subrotunda.
EMPALEMENT. Cup one-leaf, very small, five-divided, pointed, erect,
narrow.
BLOSSOM one petal, gaping; tube hunched; border two-lipped; the upper
lip oblong, notched at the end; the under lip of the same length,
reflexed, and three-cleft.
CHIVES. Two threads, awl-shaped, hid under the upper lip. Tips upright,
two-cleft at the base.
POINTAL. Seed-bud top-shaped. Shaft thread-shaped, the length and
situation of the chives. Summit simple.
SEED-VESSEL. Capsule oblong, obtuse, narrowed at the base, two-celled,
two valved; the partition opposite to the valves splitting from an
elastic claw.
SEEDS roundish.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Justicia spicis terminalibus; floribus subcapitatis; foliis elipticis,
nervosis, bullatis, lucidis; corollis bilabiatis, labio superiore
lanceolato; caule fruticoso, glabro.
Justicia with terminal spikes; flowers grow nearly in heads; leaves
elliptic, nerved, blistered, and shining; blossoms two-lipped, the upper
lip lance-shaped; stem shrubby, smooth.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Blossom cut open, with the Chives in their place.
2. The Cup and Pointal.
3. An unripe Seed.
Most of the species of this genus of plants have hitherto been
considered of little value in our collections, as few of them have woody
stems, and from that character have a weedy appearance. This plant
however is an exception, and is well worthy a place in collections where
ornament only, not variety, is studied. It grows to the height of three
feet, flowers in the month of August, is easily increased from cuttings,
and may be kept in the hot-house, out of the bark-bed. The Justicia
coccinea and this plant approach in the appearance of their flowers and
habit; but the leaves differ much as well as many other minuter parts.
It is a native of the East Indies, and was introduced about the year
1794. Our figure was taken from a plant in the Collection of G. Hibbert,
Esq. Clapham Common.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCCXIV.
ITEA SPINOSA.
_Thorny Itea._
CLASS V. ORDER I.
_PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, quinquefidum, erectum, acuminatum,
minimum, persistens, laciniis acutis, coloratis.
COROLLA. Petala quinque, lanceolata, longa, calyci inserta.
STAMINA. Filamenta quinque, subulata, erecta, longitudine corollæ,
calyci inserta. Antheræ subrotundæ, incumbentes.
PISTILLUM. Germen ovatum. Stylus cylindraceus, persistens, longitudine
staminum. Stigma obtusum.
PERICARPIUM. Capsula ovata calyce multoties longior, stylo muconato,
unilocularis, bivalvis ex duabus coalita apice dehiscens.
SEMINA numerosa, minima, oblonga, nitida.
EMPALEMENT. Cup one-leaf, five-cleft, upright, tapered, very small,
remaining, segments pointed, coloured.
BLOSSOM. Petals five, lance-shaped, long, inserted into the cup.
CHIVES. Five threads, awl-shaped, upright, the length of the blossom,
inserted into the cup. Tips roundish, laying on the threads.
POINTAL. Seed-bud egg-shaped. Shaft cylindrical, permanent, the length
of the chives. Summit obtuse.
SEED-VESSEL. Capsule egg-shaped, much longer than the cup, tapering into
the shaft, one-celled, two-valved of two joined, splitting at top.
SEEDS numerous, very small, oblong, shining.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Itea foliis cuneiformibus, emarginatis; spinis axillaribus.
Itea with wedge-shaped leaves, notched at the end; spines grow at the
insertion of the leaves.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement, magnified.
2. A Flower complete, magnified.
3. The Chives and Pointal, magnified; part of the cup and the petals
taken away, to shew the insertion of the Chives into the cup.
4. The Pointal, magnified.
This plant is a native of New Holland, and was introduced from thence by
the Right Honourable the Marchioness of Rockingham, at the same time
with the Bauera rubioides of this work; and from a specimen communicated
by her Ladyship in September, 1801, our drawing was taken. It is a hardy
green-house plant, continuing in flower from August till December; makes
a very bushy handsome shrub, especially when planted in a conservatory.
Is easily propagated by cuttings, made in the month of April, and kept
on a gentle heat until they are rooted. It thrives most in sandy peat,
with a small mixture of sandy loam.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCCXV.
ORCHIS BICORNIS.
_Two-horned Orchis._
CLASS XX. ORDER I.
_GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA._ Chives on the Pointal. Two Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
NECTARIUM corniforme pone florem.
HONEY-CUP like a horn behind the flower.
See ORCHIS CILIARIS, Pl. XLII. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Orchis bulbis indivisis; corollis galea bicalcarata; labio
quinque-partito.
Orchis with undivided bulbs; helmet of the blossom two spurred, lip
five-parted.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Flower, natural size.
2. The same, magnified, with the front petals cut away to expose the
parts of fructification, one of the chives being liberated from its
cell.
This singular little Orchis was first introduced to us, from the Cape of
Good Hope, by Mr. F. Masson, in 1787, but has been lost to our gardens
since near that time till last year, when we had the pleasure of seeing
it again in the collection of T. Evans, Esq. Stepney; but we much fear,
without a fresh supply of roots, it will again soon stand but as a name
in our catalogues. It is a very tender and delicate plant; and, like
nearly the whole of this natural order, difficult to propagate or
preserve in a cultivated state; wherefore we cannot pretend to recommend
any particular method. The bulb which flowered at Stepney was planted in
sandy peat, and appeared in good health. It flowers in September, loses
its leaves soon after flowering, and is extremely fragrant.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCCXVI.
OLEA APETALA.
_Petal-less Olive._
CLASS II. ORDER I.
_DIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Two Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
CALYX. Perianthium monophyllum, tubulatum, parvum; ore quadridentato,
erecto, deciduum.
COROLLA monopetala, infundibuliformis; tubus cylindraceus, longitudine
calycis; limbus quadripartitus, planus; laciniis subovatis.
STAMINA. Filamenta duo, opposita, subulata, brevia. Antheræ erectæ.
PISTILLUM. Germen subrotundum. Stylus simplex, brevissimus. Stigma
bifidum, crassiusculum; laciniis emarginatis.
PERICARPIUM. Drupa subovata, glabra, unilocularis.
SEMEN. Nux ovato-oblonga, rugosa.
EMPALEMENT. Cup one-leafed, tabular, small; mouth four-toothed, erect,
deciduous.
BLOSSOM one petal, funnel-shaped; tube cylindrical, the length of the
cup; border four-divided, flat; segments nearly egg-shaped.
CHIVES. Two threads, opposite, awl shaped, short. Tips upright.
POINTAL. Seed-bud roundish. Shaft simple, very short. Summit two-cleft,
thickish; clefts notched at the ends.
SEED-VESSEL. A pulpy berry, rather egg-shaped, smooth, one-celled.
SEED. A nut oblong-egg-shaped, rough.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Olea foliis elipticis, floribus racemosis, apetalis.
Olive, with eliptically-shaped leaves, flowers in long bunches without
petals.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A. Flower expanded, magnified.
2. The same with the Chives exposed, magnified.
3. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summit, magnified.
4. A half ripe Berry.
5. The same cut transversely.
Our present figure represents a plant a native of New Holland and New
Zealand, in the Pacific Ocean; but, we have great reason to think, it
has been referred, rather rashly, to the genus under which it is here
named; and that it possesses a distinctive character sufficient on which
to have formed a new one. We have, nevertheless, as usual, taken it up
under the title it is in general known by, as published by Vahl, in his
Symbolæ Botanicæ, Part III. p. 3, and quoted from him into Willdenow’s
Sp. Plant. p. 46, and thence into Professor Martyn’s ed. of Miller’s
Dict. article Olea, 5. Whether the fruit of this plant will ever turn to
account, when cultivated, as an article of food, time must evince; but,
certainly, it bears an appearance of much hope. It is a strong woody
growing shrub, forming itself into a handsome round-headed plant; and,
when in full flower, has a very pretty appearance, having all the
necessary qualities of such plants as are fit for planting out in a
conservatory. It is propagated by cuttings; should be planted in sandy
peat earth, mixed with a small portion of loam; producing its flowers
about February or March. Our drawing was made from a plant in the
Hammersmith Collection, to which it was first added in the year 1791;
having been raised from seeds communicated to Messrs. Lee and Kennedy by
Colonel Paterson.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCCXVII.
GERANIUM UNDULATUM. _Var. Minor._
_Waved-flowered Geranium._ _Lesser Var._
CLASS XVI. ORDER IV.
_MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA._ Threads united. Ten Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
MONOGYNA. Stigmata quinque. Fructus rostratus, penta-coccus.
ONE POINTAL. Five Summits. Fruit furnished with long awns, five dry
berries.
CENTER
See GERANIUM GRANDIFLORUM, Pl. XII. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Geranium foliis radicalibus lanceolatis, integerrimis, petiolis
longitudine foliorum; petalis cuneiformibus, equalibus, undulatis;
floribus pentandris; radice tuberosa.
Geranium with the root leaves lance-shaped, quite entire; foot-stalks
the length of the leaves; petals wedge-shaped, equal, waved; flowers
with five fertile chives; root tuberous.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement cut open, natural size.
2. The Chives cut and spread open, magnified.
3. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summits.
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.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCCXVIII.
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.
1. The Leaves and part of the Flower-Stem, in miniature.
2. A Flower, complete, natural size.
3. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summit.
4. A Seed-bud, cut transversely.
5. The embryo of a Seed.
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.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCCXIX.
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.
1. The Cup.
2. The Standard, or upper Petal of the Flower, shewn in front.
3. The same, shewn from the back-side.
4. One of the Wings of the Blossom.
5. The Keel of the same.
6. The Chives, natural size.
7. The Pointal, natural size.
8. The Chives, magnified, shewn from the front side.
9. A half-ripe Pod.
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.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCCXX.
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.
1. The Cup, natural size.
2. The same, magnified.
3. The Standard, or upper petal of the blossom.
4. One of the Wings of the same.
5. The two petals of the keel of the same.
6. The Chives and Pointal.
7. The Chives, magnified.
8. The Seed-bud, Shaft and Summit, magnified.
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.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCCXXI.
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.
1. The Plant, after the Flower has disappeared.
2. The Petals of the Flower, spread open.
3. The Honey-cup, spread open.
4. The Chives and Pointal.
5. The same, magnified; the hood, to which the chives are attached,
lifted up.
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.
[Illustration]
PLATE CCCXXII.
PITCAIRNIA LATIFOLIA.
_Broad-leaved Pitcairnia._
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
_HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.