[Volume III.]
[Index to Volume III]
[Errata Volume III.]
[Volume IV.]
[Index to Volume IV]
[Errata Volume IV.]
Vol. 3.
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.
PLATE CXLV.
HILLIA LONGIFLORA.
Long-Flowered Hillia.
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium hexaphyllum; foliolis oblongis, acutis, erectis.
Corolla monopetala; tubus cylindricus, longissimus; limbus sexfidus; laciniis oblongis, planis.
Stamina. Filamenta sex, brevissima. Antheræ oblongæ, erectæ, intra faucem corollæ.
Pistillum. Germen inferum, oblongum, obsolete hexagonum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine tubi. Stigma capitatum.
Pericarpium oblongum, compressum, biloculare.
Semina numerosa, minima.
Empalement. Cup six-leaved; leaflets oblong, sharp pointed and upright.
Blossom one petal, tube cylindrical, very long; border six-cleft; segments oblong, flat.
Chives. Threads six very short. Tips oblong, upright, within the mouth of the blossom.
Pointal. Seed-bud beneath oblong, slightly six-sided. Shaft thread-shaped, the length of the tube. Summit headed.
Seed-vessel oblong, flattened and two celled.
Seeds many, very small.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Hillia corollis sexfidis, laciniis lanceolatis, supra convexis; foliis ovatis, acutis, glabris.
Hillia with blossoms six cleft, segments lance-shaped, convex above; leaves egg-shaped, pointed and smooth.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A flower cut open, to expose the number and situation of the Chives.
2. The Shaft and its summit, natural size, placed by the flower, to shew its proportional length to the tube.
3. The Seed-bud, with the leaflets of the Empalement attached, cut transversely, to shew the division of the cells in the center.
This species of Hillia was first introduced to our gardens in the year 1789, from the Island of Barbadoes, sent in plants, by Mr. J. Elcock, to Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith. Originally this shrub was specifically termed, parasitica by professor Jacquin, when he first formed, and titled the Genus, after Dr. J. Hill, of voluminous memory; from a supposition that it was to be found growing, only, upon some other plant; a circumstance, which being denied by Swartz, he has altered it to longiflora. We have followed the latter name that ours may go in unison with the author of the last Species plantarum now publishing by Willdenow, as well as professor Martyn, who in his edition of Miller’s Dictionary has followed Swartz; they appearing to be the most accurate, as well as the most read and followed of any modern Botanical authorities. It is a tender hot-house plant, strikes easily from cuttings, thrives in rich mould and flowers about the end of February. To the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Valentia we are indebted, for the specimen from which our figure was taken, sent from his Lordship’s famed collection at Arley near Bewdley, Staffordshire; where, we believe, it has flowered for the first time in England.[Pg 5]
PLATE CXLVI.
PSORALEA ACULEATA.
Prickly Psoralea.
CLASS XVII. ORDER IV.
DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. Chives in two sets. Ten Chives.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, tuberculis punctatum, quinquesidum; laciniis acutis, æqualibus, persistentibus; infima duplo longiore.
Corolla papilionacea, pentapetala.
Vexillum subrotundum, emarginatum, assurgens.
Alœ lunulatæ, obtusæ, parvæ.
Carina dipetala, lunulata, obtusa.
Stamina. Filamenta diadelpha (simplex setaceum et novem coalita), adscendentia. Antheræ subrotundæ.
Pistillum. Germen lineare. Stylus subulatus, adscendens, longitudine staminum. Stigma obtusum.
Pericarpium. Legumen longitudine calycis, compressum, adscendens, acuminatum.
Semen unicum, reniforme.
Empalement. Cup one leaf, dotted over with small tubercles, and five-cleft; the segments equal and remaining, the lower one twice the length of the others.
Blossom butterfly-shaped, five petalled.
Standard nearly round, notched at the end, turned upwards.
Wings half-moon-shaped, obtuse, small.
Keel two-petalled, half-moon-shaped, obtuse.
Chives. Threads in two sets (a single one like a bristle, and nine united), ascending. Tips nearly round.
Pointal. Seed-bud linear. Shaft awl-shaped, ascending, the length of the chives. Summit blunt.
Seed-vessel. A pod the length of the cup, flattened, ascending, and tapered to the point.
Seed, one, kidney-shaped.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Psoralea foliis ternatis, minimis, confertissimis, recurvatis, in spinulam desinentibus.
Psoralea with three-leafletted leaves, very small, very crowded, bent back, and ending in a small spine.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. The Standard of a Blossom.
3. One of the Wings of the same.
4. The two Petals of the Keel.
5. The Chives, a little magnified.
The Prickly Psoralea is not a new plant in our collections; for, it was first introduced by Mr. F. Masson to the Royal Gardens at Kew, as we learn from the Catalogue, in the year 1774. But although so long a sojourner with us, it is not found in many collections, owing to the difficulty in its increase, as it seldom ripens its seeds; and cuttings, the only remaining method, but seldom succeed; although by taking them from a vigorous growing plant and giving them the assistance of the bark-bed of the hothouse, early in March, a few plants have been procured occasionally. Our drawing was made from a most beautiful plant in the Clapham Collection, last year, in the month of August.[Pg 9]
PLATE CXLVII.
GLADIOLUS CUSPIDATUS.
Spear-spotted Gladiolus.
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. Plate XI. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Gladiolus foliis lineari-ensiformibus, glabris; corolla ringente; laciniis longissimis, acuminatis, undulatis, subæqualibus, tribus inferioribus in medio macula oblonga notatis.
Gladiolus with leaves that are linearly sword-shaped and smooth; blossom gaping; segments very long, tapered to the point, waved and nearly equal, the three lower in the middle have an oblong spot.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The two sheaths of the Empalement.
2. A blossom cut open, with the Chives remaining attached.
3. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summit.
The Gladiolus here figured, represents a variety of one of the most errant species of the Genus, known commonly by the name of Spade Gladiolus, and of which we have drawings of eight, quite distinct; yet all, unquestionably, originating in one common parent. It was introduced in 1796, from the Cape of Good Hope, by Mr. R. Williams, nurseryman of Turnham-green, near Brentford; is a very hardy greenhouse bulb, increases from the root in abundance, if planted in very sandy peat earth, and flowers about the Month of April, or May.[Pg 13]
PLATE CXLVIII.
LACHENALIA QUADRICOLOR.
Four-coloured Lachenalia.
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Cor. 6-petala, infera; petalis 3 interioribus longioribus. Stamina erecta. Capsula subovata, trialata. Semina globosa.
Bloss. 6-petals, beneath; the three inner petals the longest. Chives erect. Capsule nearly egg-shaped, three winged. Seeds globular.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Lachenalia foliis geminis, lineari-lanceolatis; scapo erecto; corollis propendulis, cylindricis, quadricoloratis, cum limbo petalorum interiorum patulo.
Lachenalia with leaves in pairs, linearly lance-shaped; flower-stem erect; blossoms hanging down, cylindrical, and four-coloured, with the border of inner petals spreading out.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Flower cut open, with the Chives remaining.
2. An inner Petal, with its Chive, shewn from the inside.
3. An outer Petal, shewn from the outside.
4. The Pointal complete.
About the year 1789, this very handsome species of Lachenalia was first received by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, from the Cape of Good Hope, sent in bulbs to them by J. Pringle, Esq. It is as hardy as the L. tricolor, to which it much inclines, well known to collectors, and is equally easily propagated; an excellent figure of which is to be found, in the 82d Plate of the Botanical Magazine of Mr. Curtis. The L. quadricolor is given as a synonym by Willdenow to L. pendula, a plant we have already figured, and from which this stands quite distinct in the conformation of every part; they are both to be found in the 2d Vol. of Icon. of Jacquin, from whom we copy our specific title, the pendula, t. 400, the quadricolor, t. 396.[Pg 17]
PLATE CXLIX.
STRUTHIOLA CILIATA.
Fringed-leaved Struthiola.
CLASS IV. ORDER I.
TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Perianthium diphyllum. Corolla tubulosa, 4-fida; Nectarium, glandulæ octo fauci circumpositæ. Semen unum, subbaccatum.
Cup two-leaved. Blossom tubular, 4-cleft; Honey-cup, 8 glands placed round the mouth of the blossom. One seed like a berry.
See Struthiola imbricata, Pl. CXIII. Vol. II.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Struthiola foliis ovato-lanceolatis, mucronatis, ciliatis, concavis, quadrifariam imbricatis, apice incurvis; corolla subalbida.
Struthiola with leaves between egg and lance-shaped, pointed, fringed, concave, tiled in four rows, turned inwards at the point; blossom whitish.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A leaf shewn side-ways that the incurvature of the upper part may be seen.
2. A flower complete.
3. The two leaves of the Empalement, magnified.
4. A blossom cut open, to expose the situation of the chives, at the mouth of the tube, magnified.
5. The Pointal, a little magnified.
This is the variety of Struthiola ciliata promised in the last number. It varies from the other in the largeness and incurvation of the leaves, and colour of the flower, as well as, in the growth of the plant; in this, the stem rises to three feet; in that, it seldom exceeds one. With rather less difficulty it is increased and preferred than the red variety, and makes a very handsome figured plant, flowering in the month of August, at which season, last year, our drawing was taken from a plant in the Hibbertian Collection. This Var. has the advantage of the other, in having the blossoms extremely fragrant, in the evening.[Pg 21]
PLATE CL.
GERANIUM PRÆMORSUM.
Bitten-leaved Geranium.
CLASS XVI. ORDER IV. of Suppl. Syst. Veg. 1781.
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.
See Geranium grandiflorum, Pl. XII. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Geranium foliis inciso-lobatis, reniformibus; lobis cuneiformibus, præmorsis; floribus subsolitariis, heptaudris; caule flexuoso, subcarnoso.
Geranium with leaves deeply cut into lobes and kidney-shaped; lobes wedge-shaped, and bitten at the ends; flowers generally solitary, with seven fertile tips; stem grows zig-zag, rather fleshy.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement cut open, to shew its tubular structure.
2. The Chives and Pointal.
3. The Chives spread open.
4. The Pointal and Seed bud.
The Geranium præmorsum offers a most beautiful addition to this already very extensive genus, but is without doubt a true species. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and was introduced to us, from thence, in the year 1798, by Captain Quarrel; brought in seed, and communicated to Mr. J. Colville of the King’s Road, Chelsea; who informs us, that it flowers from March, till November, that he keeps it in rich dungy earth, and that it is raised, pretty freely, by cuttings; requiring the heat of a dry stove in the winter months. Our figure was made at the nursery, Chelsea, about the beginning of March this year.[Pg 25]
PLATE CLI.
PITTOSPORUM CORIACEUM.
Thick-leaved Pittosporum.
CLASS V. ORDER I.
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium pentaphyllum, inserum, deciduum.
Corolla. Petala quinque; ungues concavi, in tubum urceolatum conniventes; laminæ ovato-oblongæ, patentes.
Stamina. Filamenta quinque, subulata, receptaculo inserta. Antheræ sagittatæ, erectæ, filamentis dorso affixæ.
Pistillum. Germen ovatum, superum, compressum. Stylus brevissimus, cylindricus. Stigma capitatum, planum.
Pericarpium. Bacca subglobosa, 2-5 locularis, 2-5 valvis; loculamentis pulpa resinosa scatentibus; dissepimenta valvulis contraria.
Semina, tria seu quatuor, angulata, oblonga, obtusa, ossea.
Empalement. Cup five-leaved, beneath, and falling off.
Blossom. Five petals; claws concave, closing into a tube pitcher-shaped; the borders oblong egg shaped, spreading.
Chives. Threads five, awl-shaped, inserted into the receptacle. Tips arrow shaped, upright, fixed by the back to the threads.
Pointal. Seed-bud egg-shaped, above, flattened. Shaft very short, cylindrical. Summit headed, flat.
Seed vessel. A roundish berry 2-5 cells, 2-5 valves; the cells filled with a resinous pulp; partitions contrary to the valves.
Seeds, three or four, angulated, oblong, obtuse, and bony.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Pittosporum foliis ovalibus, obtusis, glaberrimis, coriaceis, integerrimis.
Pittosporum with oval leaves, blunt ended, very smooth, leathery, and quite entire.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. A Petal of the Blossom.
3. The Chives and Pointal.
4. The Pointal separated from the Chives.
5. A Berry of the size when ripe.
About the year 1763, this plant was first raised in Britain, from seeds which had been received from the Island of Madeira, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith. It forms one of the most decorative and conspicuous plants, either in the Conservatory, or Green-house; and if encouraged in its growth, by being planted in the border of the one; or kept in rich earth, in a large pot in the other, will attain the height of from 6 to 8 feet. The finest specimen we believe, in England, of this plant is to be found in the elegant Conservatory of the Right Honourable Lord R. Spencer, Woolbedding, Sussex. The flowers, which grow in clusters from the ends of the branches in May, have the flavour of Jasmine; but are rather transitory. It is propagated but slowly and with difficulty, as it does not perfect its seeds with us, and it is not to be increased by laying: the only method is cuttings, which should be taken whilst very young and tender from the plant, about April, and put from 6 to 8 in a pot, fixed very tight, in stiffish loam; they must remain under a hand-glass on a shady border till Autumn, when they may be removed into the hot-house and plunged into the bark bed, where they will begin to grow the ensuing spring.[Pg 29]
PLATE CLII.
GERANIUM SPATHULATUM.
Spatula-leaved Geranium.
CLASS XVI. ORDER IV. of Suppl. Syst. Veg. 1781.
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.
See Geranium grandiflorum, Pl. XII. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Geranium foliis integerrimis, spathulatis, glabris, obtusis, radicalibus; calycibus monophyllis; staminibus quinque fertilibus; radice tuberosa.
Geranium with quite entire leaves, spatula-shaped, smooth, blunt, and growing from the root; cups one-leaved; five fertile chives; root tuberous.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement cut open, to shew its hollow structure.
2. The Chives and Pointal natural size.
3. The Chives spread open, to shew the number and situation of the fertile ones, which are alternate.
4. The Pointal magnified.
The greater number of Geraniums which have been introduced of late, are of the tuberous herbaceous kind; drawings of 14 we have, independent of those already figured; constituting a distinguished, and distinct natural branch of this extensive family. For the most part, they have only five fertile chives with tubular empalements, some only two, and others seven, with the footstalk of the flower solid up to the bottom of the cup. This species is as yet, we believe, only in the Hibbertian Collection, Clapham, where our drawing was taken in April this year. The roots had been received in the autumn of 1800 from the Cape. It appears to require the same management as G. punctatum, and like it, may be increased by the root.[Pg 33]
PLATE CLIII.
VIOLA PEDATA.
Bird’s-foot-leaved Violet.
CLASS XIX. ORDER VI.
SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA MONOGAMIA. Tips united. Flowers simple.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium pentaphyllum, breve, persistens; foliolis ovato-oblongis, erectis, apice acutioribus, basi obtusis, supra basin affixis, æqualibus, sed dispositione variis: quorum duo fulciunt petalum α; singula singulum petalum β. γ.; unicum duo petala δ. ε. simùl.
Corolla pentapetala, irregularis, petalis inæqualibus; quorum.
Petalum α. supremum rectum, deorsum spectans, latius, obtusius, emarginatum, desinens basi in nectarium corniculatum, obtusum, inter calycis foliola prominens.
β. γ. Lateralia paria, obtusa, opposita, recta.
δ. ε. Insima paria, majora, sursum reflexa.
Stamina. Filamenta quinque, minima, quorum duo petalo α. proxima appendicibus annexis intrant nectarium. Antheræ sæpius connexæ, obtusæ, membranis ad apicem auctæ.
Pistillum. Germen subrotundum. Stylus filiformis, extra antheras prominens. Stigma obliquum.
Pericarpium. Capsula ovata, trigona, obtusa, unilocularis, trivalvis.
Semina plura, ovata, appendiculata, valvis affixa. Receptaculum lineare, per singulam valvulam lineæ instar excurrens.
Obs. Stigma vel in hamum simplicem reflectitur, vel capitulum est concavum apice perforato.
Cup five-leaved, short, permanent; leaflets oblong-egg-shaped, erect, sharpish at the point, blunt at the bottom, joined together above the base, equal, but variously disposed; of which, two support petal α. one each petal β. γ. and one the two petals δ. ε. together.
Blossom five petals, irregular, unequal petals, of which
The upper petal α. is upright, bent back, broader, and blunter than the rest, notched at the end, terminating at the base in a blunt horn-shaped honey-cup, protruding between the leaflets of the cup.
The lateral petals β. γ. grow in pairs, obtuse, opposite, upright.
The lower petals δ. ε. grow in pairs, larger, and reflexed upwards.
Chives. Five threads, very small; of which the two nearest to the petal α. have small appendages which enter the honey-cup, Tips generally united, blunt, enlarged by skinny substances at the end.
Pointal. Seed-bud roundish. Shaft thread-shaped, projecting beyond the tips. Summit oblique.
Seed-vessel. Capsule egg-shaped, three-sided, blunt, one cell and three valves.
Seeds many, egg-shaped, having appendages, fixed to the valves. Receptacle linear, running like a line along each valve.
Obs. The summit is either reflexed into a simple hook, or a concave small head perforated at the end.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Viola acaulis; foliis pedatis, septempartitis; laciniis dentatis.
Violet without a stem, leaves formed like a bird’s foot, with seven divisions; segments toothed.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. One of the upper Petals of the Blossom.
3. One of the lateral Petals.
4. The lower Petal, with its Honey-cup.
5. The Chives and Pointal with the Appendages that fall into the Honey-cup from the two hinder threads.
6. The Pointal magnified.
The Bird’s-foot-leaved Violet is a native of North America near Philadelphia; and (according to the Kew Catalogue) was cultivated by Mr. P. Miller, in 1759, at the Physic Gardens, Chelsea. It is a hardy herbaceous plant, but is sometimes destroyed by the wetness of our autumnal months: the flowers, if kept in the open air, expand about May, or the beginning of June; but if kept in pots they, with a slight protection from the Spring frosts, will be produced in April. Peat earth is the soil it approves most, and it should not be exposed to too much wet, whether planted in the borders or in pots. The roots may be parted in March.[Pg 37]
PLATE CLIV.
ECHIUM ARGENTEUM.
Silvery-leaved Viper’s-Bugloss.
CLASS V. ORDER I.
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla irregularis, fauce nudâ.
Blossom irregular, mouth naked.
See Echium grandiflorum, Pl. XX. Vol. I.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Echium foliis lanceolatis, acutis, sericeo-villosis; spicis terminalibus; corolla violacea, subæqualia.
Viper’s-bugloss with lance-shaped leaves, sharp-pointed and silkily-hairy; spikes terminate the branches; blossom violet colour, nearly equal.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. A Flower cut open, with the Chives remaining attached.
3. The Seed-buds, Shaft, and Summit.
This fine species of Echium, was raised from seeds received from the Cape of Good Hope in the year 1789, at the nursery, Hammersmith; where our drawing was made, last year, from a plant which had been planted in the open ground, for the summer months; and where it had grown to the height of four feet. It is a hardy green-house plant, and grows best in light earth, either peat, or leaf mould; and flowers about July. It is as difficult to propagate as either, the E. grandiflorum, or E. ferocissimum; but only to be increased, like them, by cuttings.[Pg 41]
PLATE CLV.
IXIA POLYSTACHIA.
Many-spiked Ixia.
CLASS III. ORDER I.
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Three Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Corolla 6-partita, patens, equalis. Stigmata 3, erectiusculo-patula.
Blossom 6-divisions, spreading, equal. Summits three, nearly upright and spreading.
See Ixia reflexa, Vol. I. Plate XIV.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Ixa foliis linearibus; scapo spicis pluribus; floribus oppositis, spicatis; corollis albidis.
Ixia with linear leaves; flower-stem with many spikes; flowers grow opposite and spiked; blossoms white.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The two sheaths of the Empalement.
2. A flower cut open to shew the situation of the Chives.
3. The Pointal natural size.
This is the plant which is figured by Miller, in the coloured plates which correspond with the dictionary, 104, t. 155. fig. 2. under the specific title it here bears; and, says the Kew Catalogue, was cultivated by him 1757. Since this is the first which bore the title of Polystachia, and being of the colour we think is mostly primitive in flowers, we have given it the preference; and shall confider all the other 18, (of which we have drawings and decidedly of this species) as varieties from this. The flowers of this species are more lasting than most of the others; and are in general, especially this sort, very hardy. It propagates freely by the root and by seed. Our drawing was made at the nursery, Hammersmith, last year, in the month of May.[Pg 45]
PLATE CLVI.
BANKSIA ERICÆFOLIA.
Heath-leaved Banksia.
CLASS IV. ORDER I.
TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Four Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Receptaculum commune elongatum, squamosum. Corolla tetra-petala. Stamina limbo inserta. Capsula bivalvis, disperma, interjecto seminibus dissepimento mobili. Semina alata.
Common receptacle elongated, scaly. Blossom of four petals. Chives inserted into the limb of the blossom. Capsule with two valves, two seeds, and a moveable partition between them. Seeds winged.
See Banksia serrata, Pl. LXXXII. Vol. II.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Banksia foliis linearibus, margine revolutis, truncato-emarginatis, supra glabris.
Banksia with linear leaves, rolled back at the edge, appearing cut off at the ends, which are notched and smooth on the upper side.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Blossom complete.
2. The same spread open.
3. The Petals of a flower, with their chives magnified.
4. The Pointal natural size, with the Summit detached, magnified.
5. The rudiments of a cone, cleared from the flowers.
The seeds of this species of Banksia were amongst the first which arrived from New Holland, and plants were raised at the nursery, Hammersmith, in the same year as the B. serrata. To the directions in the management and increase of which plant, we refer our readers for the treatment of this, as it requires no other. It grows to the height of five, or six feet, very bushy from the bottom, and the leaves, which are harsh and numerous, are not very subject to decay. Although it has flowered in many collections, where we have seen it, we have had no opportunity of making an accurate drawing until last month, March 1801, from a fine plant in the collection of G. Hibbert Esq. Clapham.[Pg 49]
PLATE CLVII.
CORDIA SEBESTENA.
Rough-leaved Cordia.
CLASS V. ORDER I.
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium monophyllum, tubulatum, apice dentatum, persistens.
Corolla monopetala, infundibuliformis: tubus patulus, longitudine calycis; limbus erecto-patens, sectus in quinque (quatuor vel sex), lacinias obtusas.
Stamina. Filamenta quinque, subulata. Antheræ oblongæ, longitudine tubi.
Pistillum. Germen subrotundum, acuminatum. Stylus simplex, longitudine staminum, superne bifidus, laciniis bifidis. Stigmata obtusa.
Pericarpium. Drupa globosa, acuminata, calyce accreta.
Semen. Nux sulcata, quadrilocularis.
Empalement. Cup one leaf, tubular, toothed at the upper part, remaining.
Blossom one petal, funnel-shaped; tube widening, the length of the cup; border upright and spreading, cut into five (four or six) obtuse segments.
Chives. Five threads, awl-shaped. Tips oblong, the length of the tube.
Pointal. Seed-bud roundish, tapered. Shaft simple, the length of the chives, two-cleft at the upper part, segments two-cleft. Summits blunt.
Seed-vessel, pulpy, globular, tapered, growing to the cup.
Seed. A furrowed, four-celled nut.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Cordia foliis oblongo-ovatis, scabris; floribus miniatis, crispis, hexandris.
Cordia with oblong egg-shaped rough leaves; flowers deep orange colour, crumpled, and with six chives.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. A Blossom spread open, with the Chives in their place.
6. The Pointal and Seed-bud.
As it should seem a determined principle in the inscrutable arrangement of nature’s productions, to the greater humiliation of our very limited understandings; that no effort as emanating solely from thence, shall be perfect; so must we be content to pursue our Botanical travel, under the guidance of a system decidedly defective; yet certainly, the best we have to boast. Scarce a genus, comprehending a number of species, but must be strained in its class or order, for the introduction of one, or more species, evidently of the same family. So convinced was our great master of the science, of the impossibility of forming such certain data, that to prevent the confusion and difficulty, which must have arisen, from such an accumulation of Genera, if every sexual character was attended to, that, where certain other characters (called by him essential, and adopted as a substitute for such occasional hiatus) are formed, the plant is retained under the Genus so characterised. This disquisition is the natural result of our examination of the present plant, which, although the chives are six, is placed in the fifth class!
The Rough-leaved Cordia is a native of the Weft India Islands and was cultivated, says Martyn’s Dictionary, from Dillenius, in the year 1728, by Dr. Sherard. It is a tender hot-house plant, may be increased by cuttings made about the month of April, if kept from too much moisture, in a pot of sandy loam, under a small striking glass in the bark-bed. At present it is rather a scarce plant in our collections, and as it is rather difficult to propagate, is likely to continue so, at least for some years. From an imported plant, received by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, from the island of Barbadoes, our figure was taken in the year 1789, about the month of July. It is grown to the greatest perfection by keeping it in a mixture of rotten dung and loam.[Pg 53]