[Index to Volume I]
[Errata Volume I.]
[Index to Volume II]
[Errata Volume II.]

[Pg 1]

[Pg 2]

Vol. 1.
of the
Botanist’s Repository

Comprising
Colour’d Engravings
of
New and Rare Plants
ONLY
With Botanical Descriptions &c.
——in——
Latin and English,
after the
Linnæan System.
by
H. Andrews
Botanical Painter Engraver, &c.

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[Pg 4]

PREFACE.

The utility of this undertaking at a crisis, when the taste for Botanical pursuits so universally prevails, will, it is presumed, be readily admitted by all those engaged in them, whether as theorists, collectors, or cultivators. Such a work, under the immediate direction of some principal leader in the science, of this country, has been a desideratum of long expectance; but either from the great expence necessarily incurred, before any adequate return could be made, or from the trouble attendant on publications, where colouring forms so considerable a part, as yet, every similar attempt has proved abortive. The Bot. Mag. of Mr. Curtis, a work of singular merit in its way, has occasionally furnished, it is true, a few specimens of new plants; but the greatest part, as its title-page indicates, consists of those well known, common plants, long cultivated in our gardens; the direct reverse of the proposals and intentions of the author, in the prosecution of this. From a wish to prevent confusion, it was a determined principle at the outset of the work, not to give any generic or specific synonims; but to follow the most generally accepted names, of known and named plants, without a cavil, of our best English botanists, or cultivators, if no flagrant error was perceptible, according to the Linnæan system: being satisfied, nothing contributed so much to repress the ardour of young botanists as the difficulty of affixing the right name to those plants, which, (from a captious desire in every publisher, to foist in something of his own coinage, upon the most trifling supposed difference,) have undergone several changes of title. If the plant was a certain novelty, with us, to have followed the sexual system, without a schism; upon that truly grand and comprehensive scale of nature; when the formation of a new genus was necessary; if not, to refer it to some one already made, if such was to be found, in any orthodox author: the specific name to be formed from some opposed, leading feature, in the habits of the different species of the genus. But although such were the Author’s intentions, when he entered on this business, yet, from a wish to oblige many of the supporters of the work, who have signified a wish that synonims should be given, an alphabetical Index, with all the various Synonims collated from the best authorities, shall be printed separate for the use of those who may wish for such an addition.

As a fair excuse for the Author, (who throws himself upon the candour of the Public,) in extenuation of the inaccuracies which have, and will necessarily occur in the prosecution of the work, it is just to say, that the difficulties to be encountered, and of which none but those engaged in similar concerns can form any adequate idea, are incalculable; arising chiefly from the nature of a monthly publication, composed entirely of novelty, which cannot be anticipated, and of course, so very little time can be allotted for revisal or correction. To remedy as far as possible such slips, a list of Erratæ will be given, with the Index, at the close of each volume.

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Knightsbridge, Oct. 1799.

ERRATA, VOL. I.

[Pg 6]

THE
BOTANIST’S REPOSITORY,
FOR
NEW, AND RARE PLANTS.
CONTAINING
COLOURED FIGURES
OF SUCH PLANTS, AS HAVE NOT HITHERTO APPEARED
IN ANY SIMILAR PUBLICATION;
WITH ALL THEIR ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS, BOTANICALLY ARRANGED,
AFTER THE SEXUAL SYSTEM OF THE CELEBRATED LINNÆUS;
IN ENGLISH, AND LATIN.
TO EACH DESCRIPTION IS ADDED,
A SHORT HISTORY OF THE PLANT,
AS TO ITS TIME OF FLOWERING, CULTURE, NATIVE PLACE OF GROWTH,
WHEN INTRODUCED, AND BY WHOM.
THE WHOLE EXECUTED BY
HENRY ANDREWS,
AUTHOR OF THE COLOURED ENGRAVINGS OF HEATHS, IN FOLIO.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY T. BENSLEY,
AND PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, Nº 5, KNIGHTSBRIDGE.
To be had of J. White, Fleet-street, and all the Booksellers.
1797.
[Pg 9][Pg 8][Pg 7]

PLATE I.
CORTUSA MATTHIOLI.
Alpine Sanicle.

CLASS V. ORDER I.

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Calyx. Perianthium quinquefidum, persistens; laciniis obtusis, concavis.

Corolla. Monopetala, rotata, quinquepartita, laciniis sub-rotundis, ad quarum basin prominent tubercula quinque.

Stamina. Filamenta quinque brevia. Antheræ bipartitæ, oblongæ, erectæ, exteriori parte affixæ.

Pistillum. Germen ovatum. Stylus filiformis. Stigma simplex.

Pericarpuim. Capsula ovata-oblonga, utrinque longitudinaliter sulcata, unilocularis, apice quinquevalvi, valvularum marginibus involutis.

Semina numerosa, oblonga, scabra.

Empalement. Cup with five divisions, permanent; the segments blunt, and concave.

Blossom. One leaf, wheel-shaped, five divisions, segments nearly round, having five prominent tubercles at their base.

Chives. Five short threads. Tips divided in two, oblong, upright, and fixed to the blossom by their backs.

Pointal. Seed-bud egg-shaped. Shaft thread-shaped. Summit simple.

Seed-vessel. Capsule oblong egg-shaped, channelled on each side, of one cell, the top has five valves, which are turned inward at their margins.

Seeds many, oblong, and rough.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Cortusa, foliis cordatis, laciniatis, petiolatis; calycibus corolla brevioribus.

Sanicle, with heart-shaped jagged leaves that have foot-stalks; empalements shorter than the blossoms.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, and Fruit-stalk.
2. The Blossom cut, and spread open, to expose the situation of the Chives.
3. The Pointal, magnified.

This beautiful little herbaceous plant, a native of the Germanic Alps, was known to, and described by all the elder, as well as modern botanical theorists; yet till this time, has there not been one good representation of it. Having been nearly lost to us for a number of years, it may be considered as deserving a place amongst those plants we deem rare; as a specimen of such it has been given. It delights much in shade; is perfectly hardy; thrives best in a light but pure soil; as dung, or other mixtures, are apt to rot the roots when in a state of inaction; flowering in May and June, and producing seeds. But the surest mode of propagation is by the root, which may be divided with success about September.[Pg 10]

PLATE 1

[Pg 13] [Pg 12][Pg 11]

PLATE II.
SPRINGALIA INCARNATA.
Star-flowered Springalia.

CLASS XIX. ORDER VI.

SYNGENESIS MONOGAMIA. Tips united. Flowers simple.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, quinquefidum, persistens.

Corolla. Monopetala, quinquefida, rotata, laciniis acumenatis.

Stamina. Filamenta quinque, lineares, receptaculo inserta. Antheræ pilosæ, erectæ, conatæ in cylindrum.

Pistillum. Germen superum, turbinatum. Stylus filiformis. Stigma obtusum.

Pericarfium. Capsula quadrivalvis, quadrilocularis.

Semina plurima, minima, rotunda.

Empalement. Cup one leaf, cut into five segments, and remaining.

Blossom. One leaf, cut into five segments, wheel-shaped, the divisions sharp pointed.

Chives. Five threads, linear, fixed into the receptacle. Tips hairy, upright, united into a cylinder.

Pointal. Seed-bud above, turban-shaped. Shaft thread-shaped. Summit blunt ended.

Seed-vessel. Capsule four valves, four cells.

Seeds many, small, and round.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Springalia, foliis alternis, amplexicaulibus, mucronatis; corollis sub-solitariis, incarnatis, rigidis, micantibus.

Springalia, with alternate leaves, embracing the stem, and sharp pointed; blossoms mostly single, flesh-coloured, harsh, and shining.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement, (natural size).
2. The Blossom divided from the Empalement.
3. The Chives, Pointal, and Seed-bud, (magnified).
4. The Seed-vessel, and Pointal, (magnified).

The Springalia, must certainly rank among the most beautiful of the various new genera which have been introduced from New Holland; the delicacy, brilliancy, and number, of its blossoms render it particularly attractive, whilst their extreme permanency adds greatly to its merits; the flower being of such singular durability, as to retain nearly the same appearance when the seeds are perfected, as at their first opening. The figure before us, was taken from a plant in the nursery garden of Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, who raised it from seeds about three years since, and where it has flowered these two successive years. The Botany-bay plants, (as they are generally called) are best preserved in the greenhouse; but although this is sufficiently hardy for such treatment, yet its situation must be dry, being very susceptible of damps, flourishing best in sandy peat earth; continues flowering through the whole summer; and propagates easily by cuttings. The characters, and habit of this genus, like almost all the plants from New Holland, being perfectly new, there was a necessity to form a fresh generic name for it; which has been done by the deservedly eminent Dr. J. E. Smith, botanical professor, and president of the Linnæan Society.[Pg 14]

PLATE 2

[Pg 17][Pg 16][Pg 15]

PLATE III.
NEOTTIA SPECIOSA.
Flesh-coloured Neottia.

CLASS XX. ORDER II.

GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA. Chives on the Pointal. Two Chives.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Calyx. Spathæ vagæ. Spadix simplex

Corolla. Petala quinque, longitudine æquila, anguste-lanceolata, erecta.

Nectarium monophyllum, indivisum, acuminatum, intra petala interiora positum, basin styli semiamplectens, erectum, superne patulum.

Stamina. Filamenta duo, ex limbo styli dorsali orta, lanceolata. Antheræ duæ, lineares, longæ, locatæ in loculum filamenti.

Pistillum. Germen inferum, curvatum, sulcatum, inferne attenuatum. Stylus crassus, adnatus labio superiori nectarii. Stigma obsoletum.

Pericarpium. Capsula unilocularis, carnosa, longissima, trivalvis.

Semina numerosa, minutissima.

Empalement. Sheath scattered. Fruit-stalk simple.

Blossom. Petals five, of equal length, of a narrow spear-shape, and upright.

Honey-cup one leaf, undivided, sharp pointed, placed between the two inner petals, half embracing the base of the shaft, upright, spreading at the top.

Chives. Two threads, rising out of the back of the shaft, spear-shaped. Tips two, linear, long, placed in the cells of the threads.

Pointal. Seed-bud beneath, curved, furrowed, tapering at the base. Shaft thick, growing to the upper lip of the honey-cup. Summit indistinct.

Seed-vessel. Capsule with one cell, fleshy, very long, three valves.

Seeds numerous, very small.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Neottia, foliis radicalibus, undulatis, lato-lanceolatis, basi attenuatis; floribus confertis, spicatis, incarnatis, speciocissimis.

Neottia, with leaves growing from the root, waved, of a broad spear-shape, tapered at the base; flowers pressed together in a spike, flesh-coloured, and most beautiful.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Blossom, Seed-bud, and Sheath, (natural size).
2. The Seed-bud, and three Petals of the Blossom; the two inner cut out, to shew the position
of the Honey-cup, (natural size).
3. Seed-vessel, and Honey-cup magnified; shewing the situation, and shape of the Chives,
within the Honey-cup.
4. The same magnified; shewing the situation of the Pointal, at the back of the Honey-cup.

Professor Jacquin of Vienna, having figured the Neottia in the third volume of his Collectanea, with justice has determined it a new genus, and given it the name it here bears; the whole habit of the plant being entirely dissimilar to any old genera. It certainly must be placed somewhere near Limodorum, or Epidendron, from either of which, however, it stands perfectly distinct. This is the only species yet in England, and was introduced from the island of Jamaica, about the year 1793, by the Hon. Mrs. Barrington. The drawing from which the present figure is taken, was made (by her kind permission) from a plant in the extensive collection of the Hon. Lady Archer, Ham-common. Like all plants from that island, it requires the heat of a pine-stove, and rich earth, to make it flourish; is increased by the root, and flowers in the early part of the year.[Pg 18]

PLATE 3

[Pg 21][Pg 20][Pg 19]

PLATE IV.
RHODODENDRON DAURICUM.

Dauric Rhododendron.

CLASS X. ORDER I.

DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Ten Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Calyx quinquepartitus, persistens.

Corolla. Monopetala, rotato-infundibuliformis: limbo patente; laciniis rotundatis.

Stamina. Filamenta decem, filiformia, longitudine corollæ, declinata. Antheræ ovales.

Pistillum. Germen pentagonum, retusum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine corollæ. Stigma obtusum.

Pericarpium. Capsula ovata, quinquelocularis.

Semina numerosa, minima, lineares.

Empalement of five divisions, and remaining.

Blossom. One leaf, of a roundish funnel-shape: the limb spreading; and its segments rounded.

Chives. Ten hair-like threads, the length of the blossom, bent downward. Tips oval.

Pointal. Seed-bud five-sided, and dented. Shaft thread-shaped, the length of the blossom. Summit blunt-ended.

Seed-vessel. Capsule oval, five-celled.

Seeds many, small, and linear.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rhododendron, foliis glabris utrinque nudis, petiolis longissimis; corollæ violaceæ, foliis ampliores, rotatæ.

Rhododendron, with smooth leaves, naked on both sides, and long foot-stalks; the blossoms light purple, larger than the leaves, and wheel-shaped.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Blossom, (natural size).
2. The Chives, and Pointal, (natural size); one tip detached, (magnified).
3. The Seed-vessel, and Pointal, (magnified).

Although this shrub has been described, and is well known to botanists, it has not, till within these very few years, been seen in Great Britain. It is a perfectly hardy plant, being a native of the coast of the Black and Caspian seas, and parts adjacent; from whence it has been conveyed to Petersburg by Dr. P. Pallas, and figured by him in his Flora Russica. Mr. Bush was the person who brought it to England, on his return from Russia. The flowers begin to appear in the month of March, continuing through April and May. As yet (from its scarcity) the best method of cultivating it can scarcely be known; but it seems to like a sheltered situation, and light soil, like most of the genus; and has been increased by layers. The drawing was made from a plant, at the nursery of Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith.[Pg 22]

PLATE 4

[Pg 25][Pg 24][Pg 23]

PLATE V.
GLADIOLUS LONGIFLORUS.
Long-flowered Gladiolus.

CLASS III. ORDER I.

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Calyx. Spathæ bivalves.

Corolla, sexpartita, ringens. Petala oblonga, omnia unguibus in tubum conata.

Stamina. Filamenta tria, subulata, divisuris alternis petalorum inserta. Antheræ oblongæ.

Pistillum. Germen inferum. Stylus simplex, longitudine staminium. Stigma trifidum, concavum.

Pericarpium. Capsula oblonga, obtusa, trilocularis, trivalvis.

Semina plura, subrotunda.

Empalement. Sheath two valves.

Blossom, cut into six segments, and gaping. Petals oblong, having all their claws connected into a tube.

Chives. Three threads, awl-shaped, fixed into each alternate division of the petals. Tips oblong.

Pointal. Seed-bud beneath. Shaft simple, the length of the chives. Summit divided in three, and concave.

Seed-vessel. Capsule oblong, obtuse, three cells, three valves.

Seeds many, nearly round.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gladiolus, foliis ensiformibus, plicatis, villosis; corollis tubiformus, longissimis; petalis undulatis, reflexis.

Gladiolus, with sword-shaped, plated, hairy leaves; blossoms trumpet-shaped, and very long; petals waved, and bent back.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Blossom cut open, to shew the situation, and insertion of the Threads; the Threads, and Tips, remaining attached.

2. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and its Summit.

This species of Gladiolus, (as are most of the genus) is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, about Table Mountain; where the roots of Ixia, Antholyza, Gladiolus, &c. form a chief part of the food of the inhabiting monkies. It came to England amongst many other roots and seeds of beautiful and rare plants, collected by J. Pringle, Esq. of the island of Madeira, when on an excursion at the Cape; and sent by him to Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, of Hammersmith. Like most bulbs, it has its period of rest; during which, it should be kept without moisture, but whilst growing, requires abundance; flowering about June, or July, and producing good seeds. It should be treated as a greenhouse plant, and planted in light sandy earth. Like the Crocus, the old root perishing, a number of fresh ones are produced, which may, (if thought necessary) be kept out of the ground two or three months.[Pg 26]

PLATE 5

[Pg 29][Pg 28][Pg 27]

PLATE VI.
HEMEROCALLIS CÆRULEA.
Blue Day Lily.

CLASS VI. ORDER I.

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Calyx. Nullus.

Corolla, sexpartita, infundibuli-campanulata.

Stamina. Filamenta sex, subulata, longitudine corollæ, declinata; superiora breviora. Antheræ oblongæ, incumbentes, assurgentes.

Pistillum. Germen sulcatum, superum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine et situ staminium. Stigma obtuse-trigonum, assurgens.

Pericarpium. Capsula trigona, trilocularis, trivalvis.

Semina plurima, subrotunda.

Empalement. None.

Blossom, has six segments, of a funnel bell-shape.

Chives. Six awl-shaped threads, the length of the blossom, bent downwards; the upper ones the shortest. Tips oblong, fixed by their sides, and turned up at the ends.

Pointal. Seed-bud furrowed, and above. Shaft thread-shaped, of the length and position of the chives. Summit bluntly three-cornered, turned up at the point.

Seed-vessel. Capsule three-sided, three cells, three valves.

Seeds many, nearly round.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Hemerocallis, foliis cordatis, petiolatis; corollis cæruleis.

Day Lily, with leaves that are heart-shaped, and have foot-stalks; the blossoms blue.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Chives, and Pointal, as placed in the Blossom.
2. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summit.
3. A Seed of the shape and size when ripe.

The variety of character exhibited in this new species of Hemerocallis, so different from its congeners, in foliage, flower, and seed; would almost induce us to think like Gærtner, a generic division necessary; if we were not withheld, by that strong rule of Linnæus, (from which, it will be a leading feature of this work, not to swerve) not to increase the number of genera, but where absolutely necessary. This species, as well as a white variety, which has been figured by Kæmpfer; and continued since him by Welldenow, in his new Species Plantarum, under its present denomination; is a native of China, and introduced to our gardens from thence by G. Hibbert. Esq. of Clapham, from whose most extensive and beautiful collection this specimen was taken. It is as yet cultivated as a hothouse plant, where it flowers in the spring months, perfecting its seeds: perhaps when better known, it may be found, like many Chinese plants, to bear our climate. It is propagated as well by parting its roots, as from the seeds.[Pg 30]

PLATE 6

[Pg 33][Pg 32][Pg 31]

PLATE VII.
PRIMULA CORTUSOIDES.
Siberian Primrose.

CLASS V. ORDER I.

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Calyx. Involucrum polyphyllum, multiflorium, minimum. Perianthium monophyllum, tubulatum, pentagonum, quinquedentatum, acutum, erectum, persistens.

Corolla. Monopetala. Tubus cylindraceus, longitudine calycis, terminatus colo parvo hemisphærico. Limbus patens, semi-quinquefidus; laciniis obcordatis, obtusis. Faux pervia.

Stamina. Filamenta quinque, brevissima, intra collum corollæ. Antheræ acumenatæ, erectæ, conniventes, inclusæ.

Pistillum. Germen globosum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine calycis. Stigma globosum.

Pericarpium. Capsula teres, longitudine fere perianthii, unilocularis, dehiscens apice decem dentato.

Semina numerosa, subrotunda. Receptaculum ovato-oblongum, liberum.

Empalement. Fence of many leaves, including several flowers, and small. Cup one leaf, tubular, five-sided, five-toothed, sharp, upright, and remaining.

Blossom. One petal. Tube cylindrical, the length of the cup, terminated by a short hemispherical neck. Border spreading, half cut into five divisions; the segments are inversely heart-shaped, and blunt. Mouth open.

Chives. Five threads, very short, within the neck of the blossom. Tips pointed, upright, approaching, within the tube.

Pointal. Seed-bud globular. Shaft thread-shaped, the length of the cup. Summit globular.

Seed-vessel. Capsule cylindrical, nearly as long as the cup, of one cell, opening at the top, with ten teeth.

Seeds numerous, and roundish. Receptacle oblong egg-shaped, and loose.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Primula, foliis petiolatis, cordatis, sub-lobatis, crenatis; corollis lætè purpureis.

Primrose, whose leaves have foot-stalks, are heart-shaped, slightly lobed, and scolloped; blossoms of a bright purple.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Cup, and Fruit-stalk.
2. A Blossom cut open, to shew the situation of the Chives, and its internal formation.
3. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summit, (magnified).

This species of Primrose is figured by Gmelin, in his Flora Siberica. It was in the year 1794, that the seeds of this plant were sent by Professor P. Pallas, from Siberia, to Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, of Hammersmith; at whose nursery the drawing of this most charming plant was made: though a native of so cold a clime, it seems with difficulty to endure the severity of ours; thriving best in a pot, under any flight shelter, or a very dry situation if planted out: it is increased by the root, which should be parted in March; and flowers in June, and July.[Pg 34]

PLATE 7

[Pg 37][Pg 36][Pg 35]

PLATE VIII.
GLADIOLUS ALATUS.
Wing-flowered Gladiolus.

CLASS III. ORDER I.

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Calyx. Spathæ bivalves.

Corolla, sexpartita, ringens. Petala oblonga, omnia unguibus in tubum conata.

Stamina. Filamenta tria, subulata, divisuris alternis petalorum inserta. Antheræ oblongæ.

Pistillum. Germen inferum. Stylus simplex, longitudine staminium. Stigma trifidum, concavum.

Pericarpium. Capsula oblonga, obtusa, trilocularis, trivalvis.

Semina plura, subrotunda.

Empalement. Sheath two valves.

Blossom, of six divisions, and gaping. Petals oblong, having their claws formed into a tube.

Chives. Three awl-shaped threads, fixed into the alternate divisions of the petals. Tips oblong.

Pointal. Seed-bud beneath. Shaft simple, the length of the chives. Summit cut into three, and concave.

Seed-vessel. Capsule oblong, blunt ended, three cells, three valves.

Seeds many, nearly round.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gladiolus, foliis ensiformibus, costatis; petalis lateralibus latissimis.

Gladiolus, with sword-shape, ribbed leaves; the side petals of the blossom the broadest.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The two Sheaths of the Empalement, with the Chives, detached from the Petals, as they stand in the Blossom, and apparently attached to each other; with the natural position of the Pointal.

2. The Chives, Pointal, and Seed-bud; one of the divisions of the Summit magnified.

This species of Gladiolus, although so scarce with us, is certainly one of the most common found near Cape Town; and, notwithstanding its extreme beauty, has been overlooked by most collectors; who, from its great frequency, have generally considered it as forming, undoubtedly, part of every collection of exotics. It is of an extreme delicate nature, and overmuch wet easily destroys it; differing from most Cape bulbs, in requiring a light loamy earth, and the assistance of a dry stove, to make it flower well; which it will do by such aid, about May, or June; seldom producing seeds, and propagating but slowly by the root. From the fugitive character of this plant, it is difficult to ascertain the first cultivator; for although it does not appear amongst the Gladiolus in the Hortus Kewensis, it must undoubtedly have come into that immense collection at different periods, but never flowered; which is the reason we do not find it there described, which has been done by Linnæus, in his Species Plantarum, under the name it here bears; as well as by Plukenet, in his Phyto graphia, and others under various synonims. This figure was taken from a plant that flowered at Messrs. Lee and Kennedy’s in 1796.[Pg 38]

PLATE 8

[Pg 41][Pg 40][Pg 39]

PLATE IX.
ATRAGENE CAPENSIS.
Cape Atragene.

CLASS XIII. ORDER VII.

POLYANDRIA POTYGYNIA. Many Chives. Many Pointals.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Calyx. Perianthium tetraphyllum; foliolis ovalibus, patentibus, obtusis, deciduis.

Corolla. Petala duodecim, linearia, basi angustissima, obtusa, patula.

Stamina. Filamenta plurima, brevissima. Antheræ oblongæ, acumenatæ.

Pistillum. Germina plurima oblonga. Styli villoli. Stigmata simplicia, longitudine antherarum.

Pericarpium. Nullum.

Semina plurima, desinentia in caudam pilosam.

Empalement. Cup four-leaved, which are oval, spreading, blunt, and deciduous.

Blossom. Petals twelve, linear, narrowest at base, blunt, and spread open.

Chives. Threads many, very short. Tips oblong, pointed.

Pointal. Seed-buds numerous, oblong. Shafts hairy. Summits simple, the length of the tips.

Seed-vessel. None.

Seeds many, terminating in a hairy tail.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Atragene, foliis ternatis; foliolis incisis, dentatis, rigidis; flore incarnato, semipleno.

Atragene, with three divisions; the smaller divisions jagged, toothed, and harsh; the flower flesh-coloured, and semidouble.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Petal cut off close to the receptacle.

2. The Fruit-stalk, Chives, and Pointals; the Chives thrown to one side, to expose the situation of the Pointals; one tip magnified.

3. A Seed of the size when ripe.

This plant has been considered by Burmann, Hermann, and other Cape botanists, as an Anemone, to which genus it certainly may as easily be referred as Atragene: but as it has been clearly described by Linnæus, under that genus, we have not hardiness enough to dispute his authority. It is (as the trivial name implies) a native of the Cape of Good Hope, but at some considerable distance within land; whence it requires a dry stove to preserve it, suffering much from damps. It is only since the year 1795, that this plant has been found in our greenhouses; being then introduced by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, nurserymen, where it has flowered and perfected seeds; which seems to be the only means of propagating it: the soil it prefers is a mixture of peat and loam; flowering about March, or April.[Pg 42]

PLATE 9

[Pg 45][Pg 44][Pg 43]

PLATE X.
ARISTEA CYANEA.
Blue-flowered Aristea.

CLASS III. ORDER I.

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Calyx. Spathæ bivalves, laceræ, persistentes.

Corolla, hexapetala, oblonga, æqualia, obcordata, persistentia, patens.

Stamina. Filamenta tria, erecta, subulata. Antheræ sub-simplices, magnæ.

Pistillum. Germen inferum. Stylus filiformis, erectus. Stigma trifidum, concavum, reflexum.

Pericarpium. Capsula oblonga, triquetra, trilocularis, loculis compressis, trivalvis.

Semina plura, compressa, scabrida, sub-semicircularia.

Empalement. Sheath two valves, ragged, and, remaining.

Blossom, of six petals, oblong, equal, inversely heart-shaped, remaining, spreading.

Chives. Three threads, upright, awl-shaped. Tips almost simple, and large.

Pointal. Seed-bud beneath. Shaft thread-shaped and erect. Summit cut into three, concave and reflected.

Seed-vessel. Capsule oblong, three-sided, three cells, cells compressed, three valves.

Seeds many, flat, rough, nearly semicircular.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Aristea, foliis ensiformibus, radicalibus; floribus capitatis, cyaneis.

Aristea with sword-shaped leaves growing from the root; the flowers grow in heads, and are of a bright blue.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Valve of the Sheath spread open.
2. The Chives, Pointal, and Seed-bud, (magnified.)
3. A perfect Seed, (magnified.)

The Aristea is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and has been described under various synonyms, by Plukenett as a Gramen, by Petiver as Bermudiana Capensis, and by Van Royen, Burmann, and Linnæus, as an Ixia. But although differing from Linnæus is against the fixed intention of this undertaking, where there is a possibility of avoiding it; yet in this instance of alteration he must have acquiesced, having undoubtedly never seen the plant himself. The blossom, seed-vessel, seeds, habit, root, and growth, of the plant, so totally differ from the character of Ixia, &c. that we have not hesitated, in accepting the name given it in the Hortus Kewensis; where, it is said to have been introduced, to that collection, by Mr. F. Masson in 1774; though no specific description is given of it; from which we may conjecture, it never flowered there. The figure here given, was taken from a plant which flowered at Messrs. Lee and Kennedy’s, in 1797. The Aristea being rather a delicate plant, requires an airy, warm situation in the greenhouse, flowering readily about the month of July, or August; requiring to be kept in a small pot, the soil a light loam. It propagates by seeds, and slips.[Pg 46]

PLATE 10

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PLATE XI.
GLADIOLUS ROSEUS.
Rose-coloured Gladiolus.

CLASS III. ORDER I.

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Calyx. Spathæ bivalves.

Corolla, sexpartita ringens. Petala oblonga, omnia unguibus in tubum conata.

Stamina. Filamenta tria, subulata, divisuris alternis petalorum inserta. Antheræ oblongæ.

Pistillum. Germen inferum. Stylus simplex, longitudine staminium. Stigma trifidum, concavum.

Pericarpium. Capsula oblonga, obtusa, trilocularis, trivalvis.

Semina plura, subrotunda.

Empalement Sheath two valves.

Blossom, of six divisions, and gaping. Petals oblong, having their claws formed into a tube.

Chives. Three awl-shaped threads fixed into the alternate divisions of the petals. Tips oblong.

Pointal. Seed-bud beneath. Shaft simple, the length of the chives. Summit cut into three, and concave.