THE ~Botanical Magazine~; OR, ~Flower-Garden Displayed~: IN WHICH The most Ornamental Foreign Plants, cultivated in the Open Ground, the Green-House, and the Stove, are accurately represented in their natural Colours. TO WHICH ARE ADDED, Their Names, Class, Order, Generic and Specific Characters, according to the celebrated Linnæus; their Places of Growth, and Times of Flowering: TOGETHER WITH THE MOST APPROVED METHODS OF CULTURE. A WORK Intended for the Use of such Ladies, Gentlemen, and Gardeners, as wish to become scientifically acquainted with the Plants they cultivate. ~By WILLIAM CURTIS~, Author of the Flora Londinensis. ~VOL. III. ~ "The spleen is seldom felt where Flora reigns; The low'ring eye, the petulance, the frown, And sullen sadness, that o'ershade, distort, And mar the face of beauty, when no cause For such immeasurable woe appears; These Flora banishes, and gives the fair Sweet smiles and bloom, less transient than her own. " COWPER. LONDON: Printed by Couchman and Fry, Throgmorton-Street, For W. CURTIS, at his Botanic-Garden, Lambeth-Marsh; And Sold by the principal Booksellers in Great-Britain and Ireland. M DCC XC. * * * * * [73] MONSONIA SPECIOSA. LARGE-FLOWER'D MONSONIA. _Class and Order. _ POLYADELPHIA DODECANDRIA. _Generic Character. _ _Cal. _ 5-phyllus. _Cor. _ 5-petala. _Stam. _ 15. Connata in 5 filamenta. _Stylus_ 5-fidus. _Caps. _ 5-cocca. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ MONSONIA _speciosa_ foliis quinatis: foliolis bipinnatis, _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. P. 697. _ MONSONIA grandiflora. _Burm. Prodr. 23. _ [Illustration: No 73] The genus of which this charming plant is the most distinguishedspecies, has been named in honour of _Lady Anne Monson_. The wholefamily are natives of the Cape, and in their habit and fructificationbear great affinity to the Geranium. The present species was introducedinto this country in 1774, by Mr. MASSON. We received this elegant plant just as it was coming into flower, fromMr. COLVILL, Nurseryman, King's-Road, Chelsea, who was soobliging as to inform me that he had succeeded best in propagating it byplanting cuttings of the root in pots of mould, and plunging them in atan-pit, watering them as occasion may require; in due time buds appearon the tops of the cuttings left out of the ground. It rarely or never ripens its seed with us. Should be treated as a hardy greenhouse plant; may be sheltered evenunder a frame, in the winter. [74] ANTIRRHINUM TRISTE. MELANCHOLY OR BLACK-FLOWER'D TOAD-FLAX. _Class and Order. _ DIDYNAMIA ANGIOPSPERMIA. _Generic Character. _ _Cal. _ 5-phyllus. _Cor. _ basis deorsum prominens, nectarifera. _Caps. _ 2. Locularis. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ ANTIRRHINUM _triste_ foliis linearibus sparsis inferioribus oppositis nectariis subulatis, floribus sub-sessilibus. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. P. 555. _ LINARIA tristis hispanica. _Dill. Elth. 201. T. 164. F. 199. _ [Illustration: No 74] Receives its name of _triste_ from the sombre appearance of its flowers;but this must be understood when placed at some little distance, for, ona near view, the principal colour of the blossoms is a fine rich brown, inclined to purple. Is a native of Spain, and of course a greenhouse plant with us, but itmust not be too tenderly treated, as it loses much of its beauty whendrawn up, it should therefore be kept out of doors when the season willadmit, as it only requires shelter from severe frost, and that a commonhot-bed frame will in general sufficiently afford it. It flowers during most of the summer months; as it rarely or neverripens its seeds with us, the usual mode of propagating it, is bycuttings, which strike readily enough in the common way. MILLER relates that it was first introduced into this countryby Sir CHARLES WAGER, from Gibraltar seeds. [75] POTENTILLA GRANDIFLORA. LARGE-FLOWER'D POTENTILLA. _Class and Order. _ ICOSANDRIA POLYGYNIA. _Generic Character. _ _Cal. _ 10-fidus. _Petala_ 5. _Sem. _ subrotunda, nuda, receptaculo parvo exsucco affixa. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ POTENTILLA _grandiflora_ foliis ternatis dentatis utrinque subpilosis, caule decumbente foliis longiore, _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. P. 715. _ FRAGARIA sterilis, amplissimo folio et flore petalis cordatis, _Vaill. Paris. 55. T. 10. F. 1. _ [Illustration: No 75] Culture is well known to produce great alterations in the appearance ofmost plants, but particularly in those which grow spontaneously on drymountainous situations, and this is strikingly exemplified in thepresent instance, this species of _Potentilla_, becoming in everyrespect much larger, as well as much smoother than in its natural state. _Vid. _ VAILL. Above quoted. It is a hardy herbaceous plant, a native of Switzerland, Siberia, andother parts of Europe, and flowers in July. LINNÆUS considers it as an annual; MILLER, as abiennial; we suspect it to be, indeed have little doubt of its being aperennial; having propagated it by parting its roots, but it may beraised more successfully from seed. [76] EPILOBIUM ANGUSTISSIMUM. NARROWEST LEAV'D WILLOW-HERB. _Class and Order. _ OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. _Generic Character. _ _Cal. _ 4-fidus. _Petala_ 4. _Caps. _ oblonga, infera. _Sem. _ papposa. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ EPILOBIUM angustifolium, foliis sparsis linearibus obsolete denticulatis aveniis, petalis æqualibus integerrimis, _Ait. Hort. Kew. 2. P. 5. _ EPILOBIUM _angustifolium_, var. _Lin. Sp. Pl. _ EPILOBIUM flore difformi, foliis linearibus. _Hall, Hist. Helv. P. 427. N. 1001. _ [Illustration: No 76] Though the _Epilobium_ here figured has not been many years introducedinto this country, it is a plant which has long been well known, anddescribed. LINNÆUS makes it a variety only of the _Epilobiumangustifolium_; HALLER, a distinct species, and in our opinion, most justly. Those who have cultivated the _Epilobium angustifolium_ have cause toknow that it increases prodigiously by its creeping roots. The presentplant, so far as we have been able to determine from cultivating itseveral years, in our Garden, Lambeth-Marsh, has not shewn the leastdisposition to increase in the same way, nor have any seedlings arisenfrom the seeds which it has spontaneously scattered: we have, indeed, found it a plant rather difficult to propagate, yet it is highlyprobable that at a greater distance from London, and in a morefavourable soil, its roots, though not of the creeping kind, may admitof a greater increase, and its seeds be more prolific. It is a native of the Alps of Switzerland, from whence it is frequentlydislodged, and carried into the plains by the impetuosity of torrents. It flowers with us in July and August, and being a hardy perennial, andperhaps the most elegant species of the genus, appears to us highlydeserving a place in the gardens of the curious. [77] CENTAUREA MONTANA. GREATER BLUE-BOTTLE. _Class and Order. _ SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA FRUSTRANEA. _Generic Character. _ Receptaculum setosum. Pappus simplex. Corollæ radii infundibuliformes, longiores, irregulares. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ CENTAUREA montana calycibus serratis, foliis lanceolatis decurrentibus caule simplicissimo. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. P. 785. _ CYANUS montanus latifolius S. Verbasculum cyanoides. _Bauh. Pin. 273. _ CYANUS major. _Lobel. Icon. 548. _ [Illustration: No 77] It has been suggested by some of our readers, that too many commonplants, like the present, are figured in this work. We wish it to beunderstood, that the professed design of the Botanical Magazine is toexhibit representations of such. We are desirous of putting it in thepower of all who cultivate or amuse themselves with plants, to becomescientifically acquainted with them, as far as our labours extend; andwe deem it of more consequence, that they should be able to ascertainsuch as are to be found in every garden, than such as they may neverhave an opportunity of seeing. On viewing the representations of objectsof this sort, a desire of seeing the original is naturally excited, andthe pleasure is greatly enhanced by having it in our power to possessit. But, while we are desirous of thus creating Botanists, we are noless anxious to gratify the wishes of those already such; and webelieve, from a perusal of the Magazine, it will appear that one-thirdof the plants figured, have some pretensions to novelty. The _Centaurea montana_ is a native of the German Alps, flowers duringthe greatest part of the summer, is a hardy perennial, and will grow inany soil or situation, some will think too readily. [78] NARCISSUS ODORUS. SWEET-SCENTED, OR GREAT JONQUIL. _Class and Order. _ HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. _Generic Character. _ _Petala_ 6-æqualia. _Nectario_ infundibuliformi, 1-phyllo. _Stamina_ intra nectarium. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ NARCISSUS _odorus_ spatha sub-biflora, nectario campanulato sexfido lævi dimidio petalis breviore, foliis semicylindricis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. P. 317. _ NARCISSUS angustifolius, five juncifolius maximus amplo calice. The Great Jonquilia with the large flower or cup. _Park Parad. P. 89. Fig. 5. _ [Illustration: No 78] We shall be thought, perhaps, too partial to this tribe of plants, thisbeing the fifth species now figured; but it should be remembered, thatas the spring does not afford that variety of flowers which the summerdoes, we are more limited in our choice; the flowers of this delightfulseason have also greater claims to our notice, they present themselveswith double charms. This species, which, as its name implies, possesses more fragrance thanmany of the others, is a native of the South of Europe, flowers in theopen border in April, is a hardy-perennial, thriving in almost any soilor situation, but succeeds best in a loamy soil and eastern exposure. Varies with double flowers, in which slate it is often used for forcing. No notice is taken of this species by MILLER, except as avariety of the N. _Jonquilla_, from which it differs _toto calo_. [79] LOTUS JACOBÆUS. BLACK-FLOWER'D LOTUS. _Class and Order. _ DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. _Generic Character. _ _Legumen_ cylindricum strictum. _Alæ_ sursum longitudinaliter conniventes. _Cal. _ tubulosus. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ LOTUS _Jacobæus_ leguminibus subternatis, caule herbaceo erecto, foliolis linearibus. _Lin. Syst. Veg. 601. _ LOTUS angustifolia, flore luteo purpurascente, infulæ S. Jacobi. _Comm. Hort. 2. P. 165. T. 83. _ [Illustration: No 79] This species of _Lotus_ has been called black-flower'd, not that theflowers are absolutely black, for they are of a very rich brown inclinedto purple, but because they appear so at a little distance; the lightcolour of the foliage contributes not a little to this appearance. "It grows naturally in the Island of St. James; is too tender to liveabroad in England, so the plants must be kept in pots, and in the winterplaced in a warm airy glass cafe, but in the summer they should beplaced abroad in a sheltered situation. It may be easily propagated bycuttings during the summer season, and also by seeds, but the plantswhich have been two or three times propagated by cuttings, seldom arefruitful. " _Miller's Gard. Dict. _ It continues to flower during the whole of the summer; as it is very aptto die off without any apparent cause, care should be taken to have asuccession of plants from seeds, if possible. [80] SPIGELIA MARILANDICA. MARYLAND SPIGELIA, OR WORM-GRASS. _Class and Order. _ PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. _Generic Character. _ _Corolla_ infundibuliformis. _Capsula_ didyma. 2-locularis, polysperma. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ SPIGELIA _Marilandica_ caule tetragono, foliis omnibus oppositis. _Lin. Syst. Veg. P. 197. _ _Mant. 2. P. 338. _ LONICERA _Marilandica_, _Spec. Pl. Ed. 3. P. 249. _ PERICLYMENI virginiani flore coccineo planta marilandica spicata erecta foliis conjugatis. _D. Sherard Raii Suppl. P. 32. _ _Catesb. Carol. 11. T. 78. _ ANTHELMIA Indian pink. _Dr. Lining. Essays Physical and Literary, Vol. 1. And Vol. 3. _ [Illustration: No 80] This plant, not less celebrated for its superior efficacy in destroyingworms[A], than admired for its beauty, is a native of the warmer partsof North America; the older Botanists, and even LINNÆUS, at onetime considered it as a _honeysuckle_, but he has now made a new genusof it, which he has named in honour of SPIGELIUS, a Botanist ofconsiderable note, author of the _Ifagog. In yem herbar_. Published at_Leyden_ in 1633. "This plant is not easily propagated in England, for the roots make butslow increase, so that the plant is not very common in the EnglishGardens at present; for although it is so hardy as to endure the cold ofour ordinary winters in the open air, yet as it does not ripen seeds, the only way of propagating it is by parting of the roots; and as thesedo not make much increase by offsets, so the plants are scarce; itdelights in a moist soil, and must not be often transplanted. " _Miller'sDict. _ The scarcity of this plant, even now, is a proof of the justness of Mr. MILLER's observation; it is in fact a very shy plant, andscarcely to be kept in this country but by frequent importation. It flowers in June and July. [Footnote A: _Vid. Lewis's Mater. Medica. _] [81] COLUTEA ARBORESCENS. TREE COLUTEA, OR BLADDER SENNA. _Class and Order. _ DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. _Generic Character. _ _Calyx_ 5-fidus. _Legumen_ inflatum, basi superiore dehiscens. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ COLUTEA _arborescens_ arborea foliolis obcordatis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. P. 668. _ COLUTEA vesicaria. _Bauh. Pin. 396. _ The greater Bastard Senna with bladders. _Park. Par. 440. _ [Illustration: No 81] The Bladder Senna, a native of the South of France and Italy, produces aprofusion of bloom from June to August, when its inflated pods pleasefrom the singularity of their appearance; on these accounts, it is oneof the most common flowering shrubs cultivated in gardens andplantations. "It is propagated by sowing its seeds any time in the spring in a bed ofcommon earth; and when the plants are come up, they must be kept clearfrom weeds, and the Michaelmas following they should be transplantedeither into nursery-rows, or in the places where they are designed toremain; for if they are let grow in the seed-bed too long, they are verysubject to have tap roots, which render them unfit for transplanting;nor should these trees be suffered to remain too long in the nurserybefore they are transplanted, for the same reason. " _Miller's Gard. Dict. _ We have learned by experience, that a very wet soil will prove fatal tothese shrubs. [82] LACHENALIA TRICOLOR. THREE-COLOURED LACHENALIA. _Class and Order. _ HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. _Generic Character. _ _Calyx_ subtriphyllus, inferus, coloratus. _Corolla_ 3-petala, receptaculo inferta. _Jacquin jun. In act. Helv. Vol. 9. _ _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ LACHENALIA _tricolor_. _Lin. Syst, Vegetab. Ed. 14. P. 314. _ _Jacq. Icon. Pl. Rarior, t. 3. _ PHORMIUM _Aloides_. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. Ed. 14. P. 336. Suppl. 205. _ [Illustration: No 82] To Mr. LEE, of the Vineyard, Hammersmith, the first, and as weunderstand, the only Nurseryman as yet in possession of this plant, which has but lately been introduced into this country from the Cape, weare indebted for the present specimen. Mr. JACQUIN, jun. Who has figured and described it in the _ActaHelvetica_, gives it the name of _Lachenalia_, in honour of WARNERUSde la CHENAL, a very eminent Swiss Botanist, and the particularfriend of the late illustrious HALLER. Our readers should beinformed, that it had before been called by two other different names, viz. _Hyacinthus orchiodes_, and _Phormium aloides_, under the latter ofwhich it now stands in the 14th edition of the _Systema Vegetabilium_, as well as that of _Lachenalia_. Its trivial name of _tricolor_ it receives from the three coloursobservable in the flowers; but it must be noticed, that it is only atthe middle period of its flowering, that these three colours are highlydistinguishable; as it advances, the brilliant orange of the top flowersdies away; the spots on the leaves also, which when the plant is young, give it the appearance of an orchis, as it advances into bloom becomeless and less conspicuous. Like most of the Cape plants, the _Lachenalia_ requires to be shelteredin the winter; during that season it must therefore be kept in agreenhouse, or hot-bed frame, well secured. It flowers in the spring, but its blowing may be accelerated by thewarmth of the stove, for it bears forcing well enough. It is increased by offsets from the bulbs. [83] HIBISCUS SYRIACUS. SYRIAN HIBISCUS; commonly called ALTHÆAFRUTEX. _Class and Order. _ MONADELPHIA POLYANDRIA. _Generic Character. _ _Calyx_ duplex, exterior polyphyllus. _Capsula_ 5-locularis, polysperma. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ HIBISCUS _syriacus_ foliis cuneiformi ovatis superne incise-serratis, caule arboreo. _Lin. Syst. Veg. P. 630. _ ALCEA arborescens syriaca. _Bauh. Pin. P. 316. _ ALTHÆA frutex flore albo vel purpureo. _Park. Par. P. 369. _ [Illustration: No 83] The _Hibiscus syriacus_, known generally by the name of _Althæa frutex_, is a native of Syria, and forms one of the chief ornaments of ourgardens in autumn; we view it, however, with less delight, as it is asure indication of approaching winter. There are many varieties of it mentioned by authors, as the _purple, red-flowered, white-flowered, variegated red and white flowered_, andthe _striped-flowered_, to which may be added, another variety, latelyintroduced, with double flowers: it varies also in its foliage, which issometimes marked with white, sometimes with yellow. As from the lateness of its flowering, and the want of sufficientwarmth, it rarely ripens its seeds with us; the usual mode of increasingit is by layers, and sometimes by cuttings; but the best plants areraised from seeds. MILLER observes, that the scarce varietiesmay be propagated by grafting them on each other, which is the commonmethod of propagating the sorts with striped leaves. In the time of PARKINSON it was not looked on as a hardy shrub:he thus writes, --"they are somewhat tender, and would not be suffered tobe uncovered in the winter time, or yet abroad in the garden, but keptin a large pot or tubbe, in the house or in a warme cellar, if you wouldhave them to thrive. " _Park. Parad. _ [84] TUSSILAGO ALPINA. ALPINE COLTSFOOT. _Class and Order. _ SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA. _Generic Character. _ _Receptaculum_ nudum. _Pappus_ simplex. _Cal. _ squamæ æquales, discum æquantes, submembranaceæ. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ TUSSILAGO _alpina_ scapo unifloro subnudo, foliis cordato orbiculatis crenatis utrinque virentibus. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. P. 755. _ TUSSILAGO alpina rotundifolia glabra. _Bauh. Pin. 197. _ [Illustration: No 84] This species, a native of the Alps, of Switzerland, and Austria, isfrequently kept in gardens for the sake of variety; like the rest of thegenus, it flowers early in the spring, in March and April; is a veryhardy perennial, increases most readily in a moist shady situation, isusually kept in pots for the convenience of sheltering it in very severeseasons; but it will grow readily enough in the open border. All plantsthat flower early, though ever so hardy, require some kind of shelter, previous to, and during their flowering. Is propagated by parting its roots in autumn. [85] SPARTIUM JUNGEUM. SPANISH BROOM. _Class and Order. _ DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. _Generic Character. _ _Stigma_ longitudinale, supra villosum. _Filamenta_ germini adhærentia. _Calyx_ deorsum productus. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ SPARTIUM _junceum_ ramis oppositis teretibus apice floriferis, foliis lanceolatis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. P. 643. _ SPARTIUM arborescens, feminibus lenti similibus. _Bauh. Pin. 396. _ Spanish Broom. _Park. Parad. P. 442. T. 443. Fig. 4. _ [Illustration: No 85] Grows naturally in France, Spain, Italy, and Turkey; bears our climateextremely well; is a common shrub in our nurseries and plantations, which it much enlivens by its yellow blossoms: flowers from June toAugust, or longer in cool seasons. Is raised by seeds, which generally come up plentifully under theshrubs. MILLER mentions a variety of it, which, as inferior to thecommon sort, does not appear to be worth cultivating. [86] GLADIOLUS COMMUNIS. COMMON CORN-FLAG. _Class and Order. _ TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. _Generic Character. _ _Corolla_ sexpartita, ringens. _Stamina_ adscendentia. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ GLADIOLUS _communis_ foliis ensiformibus, floribus distantibus. GLADIOLUS utrinque floridus? _Bauh. Pin. 41. _ The French Corn-Flag. _Park. Parad. P. 189. T. 191. F. 1. _ [Illustration: No 86] Grows wild in the corn fields of most of the warmer parts of Europe, varies with white and flesh-coloured blossoms, increases so fast, bothby offsets and seeds, as to become troublesome to the cultivator; hence, having been supplanted by the Greater Corn-Flag, the _Byzantinus_ ofMILLER, whose blossoms are larger, and more shewy, it is not sogenerally found in gardens as formerly. It flowers in June. [87] HYOSCYAMUS AUREUS. GOLDEN-FLOWER'D HENBANE. _Class and Order. _ PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. _Generic Character. _ _Corolla_ infundibuliformis, obtusa. _Stamina_ inclinata. _Capsula_ operculata 2-locularis. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ HYOSCYAMUS _aureus_ foliis petiolatis dentatis acutis floribus pedunculatis, fructibus pendulis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. P. 220. _ HYOSCYAMUS creticus luteus major. _Bauh. Pin. 169. _ [Illustration: No 87] A native of Crete, and other parts of the East. "Flowers most part of the summer, but seldom ripens seeds in England;will continue for several years, if kept in pots and sheltered inwinter, for it will not live in the open air during that season; ifplaced under a common hot-bed frame, where it may enjoy as much free airas possible in mild weather, it will thrive better than when moretenderly treated. "It may be easily propagated by cuttings, which if planted in a shadyborder and covered with hand-glasses, in any of the summer months, theywill take root in a month or six weeks, and may be afterwards planted inpots and treated like the old plants. " MILLER's _Gard. Dict. _ It is, however, a more common practice to keep this plant in the stovein the winter; one advantage, at least, attends this method, we secureit with certainty. [88] NARCISSUS BULBOCODIUM. HOOP PETTICOAT NARCISSUS. _Class and Order. _ HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. _Generic Character. _ _Petala_ 6, æqualia: _Nectario_ infundibuliformi, 1-phyllo. _Stamina_ intra nectarium. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ NARCISSUS _Bulbocodium_ spatha uniflora, nectario turbinato petalis majore, staminibus pistilloque declinatis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. P. 317. _ NARCISSUS montanus juncifolius, calyce aureo. _Bauhin. P. 53. _ The greater yellow Junquilia, or bastard Daffodil. _Park. Parad. P. 106. T. 107. Fig. 6. Var. Min. Fig. 7. _ [Illustration: No 88] Grows spontaneously in Portugal; flowers in the open border about themiddle of May, is an old inhabitant of our gardens, but, like the_triandrus_, is now become scarce, at least in the nurseries aboutLondon; in some gardens in Hampshire we have seen it grow abundantly:MILLER calls it the _Hoop Petticoat Narcissus_, the nectary, ashe observes, being formed like the ladies hoop petticoats. It certainly is one of the neatest and most elegant of the genus, ispropagated by offsets, and should be planted in a loamy soil, with anEastern exposure. [89] VIOLA PEDATA CUT-LEAV'D VIOLET. _Class and Order. _ SYNGENESIA MONOGAMIA. _Generic Character. _ _Calyx_ 5-phyllus. _Cor. _ 5-petala, irregularis, postice cornuta. _Capsula_ supera, 3-valvis; 1-locularis. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ VIOLA _pedata_ acaulis, foliis pedatis septempartitis. _Lin. Syst. Veget. Ed. 14. _ _Murr. P. 802. Spec. Pl. P. 1323. _ _Gronov. Fl. Virg. Ed. 2. P. 135. _ VIOLA _tricolor_ caule nudo, foliis tenuius dissectis. _Banist. Virg. _ VIOLA inodora flore purpurascente specioso, foliis ad modum digitorum incisis. _Clayt. N. 254. _ [Illustration: No 89] This species of Violet, a native of Virginia, is very rarely met with inour gardens; the figure we have given, was drawn from a plant whichflowered this spring in the garden of THOMAS SYKES, Esq. AtHackney, who possesses a very fine collection of plants, and of Americanones in particular. It is more remarkable for the singularity of its foliage than the beautyof its blossoms; the former exhibit a very good example of the _foliumpedatum_ of LINNÆUS, whence its name. MILLER, who calls it _multifida_ from a former edition ofLINNÆUS's _Species Plantarum_, says, that the flowers are notsucceeded by seeds here, hence it can only be propagated by parting itsroots. The best mode of treating it, will be to place the roots in a pot ofloam and bog earth mixed, and plunge the pot into a north border, whereit must be sheltered in the winter, or taken up and kept in a commonhot-bed frame. [90] GORTERIA RIGENS. RIGID-LEAV'D GORTERIA. _Class and Order. _ SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA FRUSTRANEA. _Generic Character. _ _Receptaculum_ nudum. _Pappus_ lanatus. _Corollæ_ radii ligulatæ. _Calyx_ imbricatus, squamis spinosis. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ GORTERIA _rigens_ foliis lanceolatis pinnatifidis, caule depresso, scapis unifloris. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. Ed. 14. _ _Murr. 783. Sp. Pl. Ed. 3. P. 1284. _ ARCTOTIS ramis decumbentibus, foliis lineari-lanceolatis rigidis, subtus argenteis. _Mill. Dict. Et Icon. T. 49. _ ARCTOTHECA foliis rigidis leniter dissectis. _Vaill. Act. 1728. N. 9. _ [Illustration: No 90] The GORTERIA, of which there are several species, and most of them, likethe present, natives of the Cape, has been named in honour of DAVID DEGORTER, author of the _Flora Zutphanica_ and _Ingrica_; the trivial nameof _rigens_ is given to this species from the rigidity of its leaves, aterm which it is sometimes apt to exchange for the more common botanicname of _ringens_; an instance of such mistake occurs in the 6th editionof MILLER's _Gard. Dict. _ The greenhouse, to which it properly belongs, can scarcely boast a moreshewy plant; its blossoms, when expanded by the heat of the sun, and itis only when the sun shines on them that they are fully expanded, exhibit an unrivalled brilliancy of appearance. It flowers in June, but rarely brings its seeds to perfection in thiscountry, which is of the less consequence, as the plant is readilyenough increased by cuttings. It requires the common treatment of a greenhouse plant. [91] IRIS SURFING. CHALCEDONIAN IRIS. _Class and Order. _ TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. _Generic Character. _ _Cor. _ 6-petala, inæqualis, petalis alternis geniculato-patentibus. _Stigmata_ petaliformia, cucullato-bilabiata. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ IRIS _Surfing_ barbata foliis ensiformibus glabris, scapo unifloro, petalis rotundatis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. Ed. 14. P. 88. _ IRIS Surfing flore maximo et albo nigricante. _Bauh. Pin. 31. _ The great Turkey Flower-de-luce. _Park. Parad. 179. _ [Illustration: No 91] This species, by far the most magnificent of the Iris tribe, is a nativeof Persia, from a chief city of which it takes the name of Surfing;LINNÆUS informs us, that it was imported into Holland fromConstantinople in 1573. Though an inhabitant of a much warmer climate than our own, it thrivesreadily in the open borders of our gardens; and, in certain favourablesituations, flowers freely about the latter end of May or beginning ofJune. It succeeds best in a loamy soil and sunny exposure, with a pureair moisture, which favours the growth of most of the genus, isinjurious and sometimes even fatal to this species. As it rarely ripens its seeds with us, it is generally propagated byparting its roots in autumn. These are also usually imported fromHolland, and may be had of the importers of bulbs at a reasonable rate. Being liable to be destroyed by seasons unusually severe, it will beprudent to place a few roots of it in pots, either in the greenhouse orin a hot-bed frame during the winter. It bears forcing well. [92] SAXIFRAGA SARMENTOSA. STRAWBERRY SAXIFRAGE. _Class and Order. _ DECANDRIA DIGYNIA. _Generic Character. _ _Calyx_ 5-partitus. _Cor. _ 5-petala. _Caps. _ 2-rostris, 1-locularis, polysperma. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ SAXIFRAGA _sarmentosa_ foliis radicalibus subrotundis cordatis crenatis, sarmentis axillaribus radicantibus, corolla irregulari, racemo composito. _Lin. Syst. Veg. Ed. 14. P. 412. _ _Suppl. P. 240. _ [Illustration: No 92] This species of Saxifrage differing so widely from the others, both inits habit and fructification, as to create a doubt in the minds of some, whether it ought not to be considered as a distinct genus, is a nativeof China, and one of the many plants which have been introduced into ourgardens since the time of MILLER. Its round variegated leaves, and strawberry-like runners, the uncommonmagnitude of the two lowermost pendant petals, joined to the veryconspicuous glandular nectary in the centre of the flower, halfsurrounding the germen, render this species strikingly distinct. It is properly a greenhouse plant; in mild winters indeed it will bearthe open air, especially if placed at the foot of a wall, or amongrock-work; but, in such situations, it is frequently killed in severeseasons. It flowers in May and June, but does not produce its blossoms so freelyas some others. No difficulty attends the propagation of it, for it increases so fast byits runners, as to be even troublesome. [93] SEMPERVIVUM MONANTHES. DWARF HOUSELEEK. _Class and Order. _ DODECANDRIA DODECAGYNIA. _Generic Character. _ _Calyx_ 12-partitus. _Petala_ 12. _Capsulæ_ 12. Polyspermæ. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ SEMPERVIVUM _monanthes_ foliis teretibus clavatis confertis, pedunculis nudis subunifloris, nectariis obcordatis. _Aiton. Hort. Kew. _ [Illustration: No 93] It appears from the _Hortus Kewensis_, the publication of which is dailyexpected, that the plant here figured was first brought to this countryfrom the Canary Islands, by Mr. FRANCIS MASSON, in the year1777. It is highly deserving the notice of the Botanist, not only as being byfar the least species of the genus, but on account of its Nectaria;these, though not mentioned by LINNÆUS in his character of the genus, have been described by other authors, particularly JACQUIN and HALLER;and though not present in most, and but faintly visible in a few speciesof _Sempervivum_, in this plant form a principal part of thefructification; they are usually seven in number, but vary from six toeight. In the specimens we have examined, and which perhaps have been renderedluxuriant by culture, the number of stamina has been from twelve tosixteen; of styles, from six to eight; of flowers on the same stalk, from one to eight. It flowers during most of the summer months, succeeds very well with thecommon treatment of a greenhouse plant in the summer, but does best in adry stove in the winter. Is readily increased by parting its roots. [94] SISYRINCHIUM IRIOIDES. IRIS-LEAV'D SISYRINCHIUM. _Class and Order. _ GYNANDRIA TRIANDRIA. _Generic Character. _ Monogyna. _Spatha_ diphylla. _Petala_ 6 plana. _Capsula_ tri-locularis, infera. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ SISYRINCHIUM _iridioides_ foliis ensiformibus; petalis oblongo-obcordatis, venosis; germinibus pyriformibus, subhirsutis. SISYRINCHIUM _Bermudiana. _ _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. P. 820. Var. 2. Spec. Pl. P. 1353. _ BERMUDIANA iridis folio, radice fibrosa. _Dill. Elth. 48. T. 41. F. 48. _ SISYRINCHIUM _Bermudiana_ foliis gladiolatis amplexicaulibus, pedunculis brevioribus. _Miller's Dict. Ed. 6. 4to. _ [Illustration: No 94] On comparing the present plant with the _Bermudiana graminea floreminore coeruleo_ of DILLENIUS, both of which I have growing, and now in pots before me, the difference appears so striking, that I aminduced with him and MILLER to consider them as distinctspecies; especially as, on a close examination, there appear characterssufficient to justify me in the opinion, which characters are notaltered by culture. It is a native of the Bermudian Islands, and flowers in the open borderfrom May to the end of July; it is not uncommon to keep it in thegreenhouse, for which, from its size &c. It is very well adapted; but itis not necessary to treat it tenderly, as it will bear a greater degreeof cold than many plants usually considered as hardy. It may be propagated most readily by seeds, or by parting its roots inthe autumn; should be planted on a border with an eastern aspect; soilthe same as for bulbs. [95] GERANIUM RADULA. RASP-LEAV'D GERANIUM. _Class and Order. _ MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA. _Generic Character. _ Monogyna. _Stigmata_ 5. _Fructus_ rostratus, 5-coccus. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ GERANIUM _revolutum_ pedunculis subbifloris, foliis multifidis linearibus scabris ad oras revolutis, caule arboreo. _Jacq. Ic. 133. Collect. 1. P. 84. _ GERANIUM _Radula. _ _Cavanill. Diss. 4. P. 262. T. 101. F. 1. _ [Illustration: No 95] This is one of the numerous tribe of _Geraniums_ introduced from theCape since the time of MILLER: it takes the name of _Radula_, which is the Latin term for a rasp or file, from the rough rasp-likesurface of the leaves. There are two varieties of it, a _major_ and a _minor_, which keeppretty constantly to their characters; and as this species is readilyraised from seeds, it affords also many seminal varieties. As a Botanist, desirous of seeing plants distinct in their characters, we could almost wish it were impossible to raise these _foreignGeraniums_ from seeds; for, without pretending to any extraordinarydiscernment, we may venture to prophecy, that in a few years, from themultiplication of seminal varieties, springing from seeds casually, orperhaps purposely impregnated with the pollen of different sorts, such acrop will be produced as will baffle all our attempts to reduce tospecies, or even regular varieties. Such as are partial to this tribe, will no doubt wish to have thisspecies in their collection; the blossoms are pretty, and the foliage issingular, but it remains but a short time in flower. It is readily propagated by cuttings. [96] LANTANA ACULEATA. PRICKLY LANTANA. _Class and Order. _ DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. _Generic Character. _ _Calyx_ 4-dentatus obsolete. _Stigma_ uncinato-refractum. _Drupa_ nucleo 2-loculari. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ LANTANA _aculeata_ foliis oppositis, caule aculeato ramoso spicis hemisphæricis. _Lin. Syst. Veg. Ed. 14. P. 566. _ [Illustration: No 96] According to MILLER, this species grows naturally in _Jamaica_, and most of the other Islands in the _West-Indies_, where it is called_wild Sage_; the flowers, which are very brilliant, are succeeded byroundish berries, which, when ripe, turn black, having a pulpy coveringover a single hard seed. It is readily propagated by cuttings. Different plants vary greatly in the colour of their blossoms, and theprickliness of their stalks; the prickles are seldom found on the youngshoots. This plant will bear to be placed abroad in the warmest summer months, the rest of the year it requires artificial heat. It is usually placedin the dry stove, to which, as it is seldom without flowers, it impartsgreat brilliancy. [97] FUCHSIA COCCINEA. SCARLET FUCHSIA. _Class and Order. _ OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. _Generic Character. _ _Calyx_ 1-phyllus, coloratus, corollifer, maximus. _Petala_ 4, parva, _Bacca_ infera, 4-locularis, polysperma. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ FUCHSIA _coccinea_ foliis oppositis ovatis denticulatis; petalis obovatis, obtusis. _Hort. Kew. _ THILCO _Feuillée it. 3. P. 64. T. 47. _ [Illustration: No 97] The present plant is a native of _Chili_, and was introduced to theroyal gardens at Kew, in the year 1788, by Capt. FIRTH; ittakes the name of _Fuchsia_ from _Fuchs_ a German Botanist of greatcelebrity, author of the _Historia Stirpium_ in _folio_, published in1542, containing five hundred and sixteen figures in wood; and which, though mere outlines, express the objects they are intended torepresent, infinitely better than many laboured engravings of moremodern times. Every person who can boast a hot-house will be anxious to possess the_Fuchsia_, as it is not only a plant of peculiar beauty, but producesits rich pendant blossoms through most of the summer; the petals in thecentre of the flower are particularly deserving of notice; they somewhatresemble a small roll of the richest purple-coloured ribband. Though this plant will not succeed well in the winter, nor be easilypropagated unless in a stove, it will flower very well during the summermonths, in a good greenhouse or hot-bed frame, and though at presentfrom its novelty it bears a high price, yet as it is readily propagated, both by layers, cuttings, and seeds, it will soon be within the purchaseof every lover of plants. Mr. LEE, of Hammersmith, we understand first had this plant forsale. [98] TROPÆOLUM MINUS. SMALL TROPÆOLUM, OR INDIAN-CRESS. _Class and Order. _ OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. _Generic Character. _ _Cal. _ 1-phyllus, calcaratus. _Petala_ 5, inæqualia. _Bacca_ tres, siccæ. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ TROPÆOLUM _minus_ foliis peltatis repandis, petalis acuminato-setaceis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. P. 357. _ Indian-Cresses, or yellow Larke's-heeles. _Park. Parad. P. 280. _ [Illustration: No 98] This species of _Tropæolum_ (which like the _majus_ already figured inthis work, is a native of _Peru_) has long been an inhabitant of ourgardens; it was the only species we had in the time of PARKINSON, bywhom it is figured and described; it appears indeed to have been a greatfavourite with that intelligent author, for he says this plant "is of sogreat beauty and sweetnesse withall, that my garden of delight cannotbee unfurnished of it, and again the whole flower hath a fine smallsent, very pleasing, which being placed in the middle of some Carnationsor Gilloflowers (for they are in flower at the same time) make adelicate Tussimusie, as they call it, or Nosegay, both for sight andsent. " As the _Passiflora cærulea_, from its superior beauty and hardiness, hasin a great degree supplanted the _incarnata_, so has the _Tropæolummajus_ the _minus_; we have been informed indeed that it was entirelylost to our gardens till lately, when it was reintroduced by Dr. J. E. SMITH, who by distributing it to his friends, and theNurserymen near London, has again rendered it tolerably plentiful. Like the _majus_ it is an annual, though by artificial heat it may bekept in a pot through the winter, as usually is the variety of it withdouble flowers; but as it will grow readily in the open air, in warmsheltered situations, it should be raised on a hot-bed, like othertender annuals, if we wish to have it flower early in the summer, continue long in blossom, and produce perfect seeds. [99] ANTIRRHINUM PURPUREUM. PURPLE TOAD-FLAX. _Class and Order. _ DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. _Generic Character. _ _Calyx_ 5-phyllus. _Corollæ_ basis deorsum prominens, nectarifera. _Capsula_ 2-locularis. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ ANTIRRHINUM purpureum foliis quaternis linearibus, caule erecto spicato. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. P. 555. _ LINARIA purpurea major odorata. _Bauh. Pin. 213. _ LINARIA altera purpurea. _Dod. Pempt. 183. _ [Illustration: No 99] Though not so beautiful as many of the genus, this species is a commoninhabitant of the flower-garden, in which it continues to blossom, during most of the summer. It is a native of Italy, and delights in a dry soil and situation; itwill even flourish on walls, and hence will serve very well to decoratethe more elevated parts of rock-work. When once introduced it comes up spontaneously from seeds. [100] LATHYRUS TINGITANUS. TANGIER PEA. _Class and Order. _ DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. _Generic Character. _ _Stylus_ planus, supra villosus, superne latior, _Cal. _ laciniæ superiores 2-breviores. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ LATHYRUS _tingitanus_ pedunculis bifloris, cirrhis diphyllis, foliolis alternis lanceolatis glabris, stipulis lunatis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. P. 663. _ LATHYRUS tingitanus, filiquis orobi, flore amplo ruberrimo. _Moris, hist. 2. P. 55. _ [Illustration: No 100] The Tangier Pea, a native of Morocco, cannot boast the agreeable scent, or variety of colours of the sweet Pea; nor does it continue so long inflower; nevertheless there is a richness in the colour of its blossoms, which entitles it to a place in the gardens of the curious, in which itis usually sown in the spring, with other hardy annuals. It flowers in June and July. The best mode of propagating it, is to, sow the seeds on the borders inpatches, where the plants are to remain; thinning them when they comeup, so as to leave only two or three together. [101] ALYSSUM HALIMIFOLIUM. SWEET ALYSSUM. _Class and Order. _ TETRADYNAMIA SILICULOSA. _Generic Character. _ _Filamenta_ quædam introrsum denticulo notata. _Silicula_ emarginata. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ ALYSSUM _halimifolium_ caulibus suffruticosis, diffusis, foliis lineari-lanceolatis integerrimis, villosiusculis, staminibus simplicibus, siliculis subrotundis integris. _Hort. Kew. V. 2. P. 381. _ ALYSSUM halimifolium caulibus procumbentibus, perennantibus, foliis lanceolato-linearibus, acutis, integerrimis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. P. 590. _ Thlaspi halimi folio sempervirens. _Herm. Lugd. 594. T. 595. _ [Illustration: No 101] Grows spontaneously in dry situations, in the southernmost parts ofEurope, where it is shrubby; and in similar situations it is so in somedegree with us; but on our flower-borders, where it is usually sown, itgrows so luxuriantly, that the stalks becoming juicy and tender, aregenerally destroyed by our frosts; hence it is an annual frompeculiarity of circumstance; as such, it is very generally cultivated;the flowers exhibit a pretty, innocent appearance, and strongly diffusean agreeable honey-like smell. They continue to blow through most of thesummer months. It is a very proper plant for a wall or piece of rock-work; care must betaken, however, not to sow too much of the seed in one pot, as itspreads wide, but it may easily be reduced at any period of its growth, as it does not creep at the root. The specific description in the _Hortus Kewensis_ above referred to, admirably characterizes the plant, but surely at the expence of itsgeneric character. [102] CAMPANULA SPECULUM. VENUS'S LOOKING-GLASS. _Class and Order. _ PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. _Generic Character. _ _Corolla_ campanulata, fundo clauso valvis staminiferis. _Stigma_ trifidum. _Capsula_ infera, poris lateralibus dehiscens. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ CAMPANULA Speculum caule ramosissimo, diffuso; foliis oblongis subcrenatis, floribus solitariis, capsulis prismaticis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. P. 209. _ ONOBRYCHIS arvensis f. Campanula arvensis erecta. _Bauh. Pin. 215. _ [Illustration: No 102] Grows wild among the corn in the South of Europe, is an annual, and, like the _Sweet Alyssum_, generally cultivated in our gardens, and mostdeservedly so indeed, for when a large assemblage of its blossoms areexpanded by the rays of the sun, their brilliancy is such as almost todazzle the eyes of the beholder. Those annuals which bear our winter's frosts without injury, areadvantageously sown in the autumn; for by that means they flower moreearly, and their seeds ripen with more certainty; the present plant isone of those: it usually sows itself, and is therefore raised withoutany trouble. It begins to flower in May and June, and continues to enliven the gardentill August or September. [103] PELARGONIUM ACETOSUM. SORREL CRANE'S-BILL. _Class and Order. _ MONADELPHIA HEPTANDRIA. _Generic Character. _ _Calyx_ 5-partitus: lacinia suprema definente in tubulum capillarem, nectariferum, secus pedunculum decurrentem. _Cor. _ 5-petala, irregularis. _Filam. _ 10. In æqualia: quorum 3 (raro 5) castrata. _Fructus_, 5-coccus, rostratus: rostra spiralia, introrsum barbata. _L'Herit. Geran. _ _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ PELARGONIUM _acetosum_ umbellis paucifloris, foliis obovatis crenatis glabris carnosis, petalis linearibus. _L'Herit. Monogr de Geran. N. 97. _ GERANIUM _acetosum_ calycibus monophyllis, foliis glabris obovatis carnosis crenatis, caule fruticoso laxo. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. Ed. 14. _ _Murr. P. 613. Sp. Pl. P. 947. _ GERANIUM Africanum frutescens, folio crasso et glauco acetosæ sapore. _Comm. Præl. 51. T. 1. _ [Illustration: No 103] Mons. L'HERITIER, the celebrated French Botanist, who in thenumber, elegance, and accuracy of his engravings, appears ambitious ofexcelling all his contemporaries, in a work now executing on the familyof _Geranium_, has thought it necessary to divide that numerous genusinto three, viz. _Erodium_, _Pelargonium_, and _Geranium_. The _Erodium_ includes those which LINNÆUS (who noticing thegreat difference in their appearance, had made three divisions of them)describes with five fertile stamina, and calls Myrrhina; the_Pelargonium_ those with seven fertile stamina, his _Africana_; the_Geranium_, those with ten fertile stamina, his _Batrachia_. They are continued under the class _Monadelphia_, in which they now formthree different orders, according to the number of their stamina, viz. _Pentandria_, _Heptandria_, and _Decandria_. If the principles of theLinnæan system had been strictly adhered to, they should perhaps havebeen separated into different classes; for though the _Pelargonium_ isMonadelphous, the _Geranium_ is not so; in consequence of thisalteration, the _Geranium peltatum_ and _radula_, figured in a formerpart of this work, must now be called _Pelargonium peltatum_, and_radula_, and the _Geranium Reichardi_ be an _Erodium_. The leaves of this plant have somewhat the taste of sorrel, whence itsname, it flowers during most of the summer, and is readily propagated bycuttings. MILLER mentions a variety of it with scarlet flowers. It is a native of the Cape, and known to have been cultivated in ChelseaGarden, in the year 1724. [104] LYSIMACHIA BULBIFERA. BULB-BEARING LOOSESTRIFE. _Class and Order. _ PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. _Generic Character. _ _Corolla_ rotata. _Capsula_ globosa, mucronata, 10-valvis. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ LYSIMACHIA _stricta_ racemis terminalibus, petalis lanceolatis patulis, foliis lanceolatis sessilibus. _Hort. Kew. P. 199. _ [Illustration: No 104] In the spring of the year 1781, I received roots of this plant from Mr. ROBERT SQUIBB, then at New-York, which produced flowers theensuing summer, since that time, I have had frequent opportunities ofobserving a very peculiar circumstance in its oeconomy; afterflowering, instead of producing seeds, it throws out _gemmæ vivaces_, or_bulbs_ of an unusual form, from the alæ of the leaves, which fallingoff in the month of October, when the plant decays, produce young plantsthe ensuing spring. As it is distinguished from all the known species of _Lysimachia_ bythis circumstance, we have named it _bulbifera_ instead of _stricta_, under which it appears in the _Hortus Kewensis_. Some Botanists, whose abilities we revere, are of opinion that thetrivial names of plants, which are or should be a kind of abridgment ofthe specific character, ought very rarely or never to be changed: we arenot for altering them capriciously on every trivial occasion, but insuch a case as the present, where the science is manifestly advanced bythe alteration, it would surely have been criminal to have preferred aname, barely expressive, to one which immediately identifies the plant. The _Lysimachia bulbifera_ is a hardy perennial, grows spontaneously inboggy or swampy ground, and hence requires a moist soil. It flowers inAugust. [105] TRADESCANTIA VIRGINICA. VIRGINIAN TRADESCANTIA, OR SPIDERWORT. _Class and Order. _ HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. _Generic Character. _ _Calyx_ triphyllus. _Petala_ 3. _Filamenta_ villis articulatis. _Capsula_ 3-locularis. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ TRADESCANTIA _Virginica_ erecta lævis, floribus congestis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. Ed. 14. _ _Murr. P. 314. Sp. Pl. 411. _ ALLIUM five moly Virginianum. _Bauh. Pin. 506. _ PHALANGIUM Ephemerum Virginianum Joannis Tradescant. The soon-fading Spiderwort of Virginia, or Tradescant his Spiderwort. _Park. Parad. 152. 5. T. 151. F. 4. _ [Illustration: No 105] Under the name of _Spiderwort_, the old Botanists arranged many plantsof very different genera: the name is said to have arisen from thesupposed efficacy of some of these plants, in curing the bite of a kindof spider, called _Phalangium_; not the _Phalangium_ ofLINNÆUS, which is known to be perfectly harmless: under thisname, PARKINSON minutely describes it; he mentions also, how hefirst obtained it. "This Spiderwort, " says our venerable author, "is of late knowledge, andfor it the Christian world is indebted unto that painful, industrioussearcher, John Tradescant, who first received it of a friend thatbrought it out of Virginia, and hath imparted hereof, as of many otherthings, both to me and others. " TOURNEFORT afterwards gave it the name of _Ephemerum_, expressive of the short duration of its flowers, which LINNÆUSchanged to _Tradescantia_. Though a native of Virginia, it bears the severity of our climateuninjured, and being a beautiful, as well as hardy perennial, is foundin almost every garden. Though each blossom lasts but a day, it has such a profusion in store, that it is seldom found without flowers through the whole of the summer. There are two varieties of it, the one with white the other with palepurple flowers. The most usual way of propagating it is by parting itsroots in autumn to obtain varieties, we must sow its seeds. [106] IBERIS UMBELLATA. PURPLE CANDY-TUFT. _Class and Order. _ TETRADYNAMIA SILICULOSA. _Generic Character. _ _Corolla_ irregularis: _Petalis_ 2 exterioribus majoribus: _Silicula_ polysperma, emarginata. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ IBERIS _umbellata_ herbacea, foliis lanceolatis, acuminatis, inferioribus serratis; superioribus integerrimis. _Linn. Syst. Veg. Ed. 14. _ _Murr. P. 589. Sp. Pl. P. 906. _ THLASPI umbellatum creticum, iberidis folio. _Bauh. Pin. 106. _ DRABA S. Arabis S. Thlaspi Candiæ. _Dod. Pempt. 713. _ THLASPI creticum umbellatum flore albo et purpureo. Candy-Tufts, white and purple. _Park. Parad. P. 390. _ [Illustration: No 106] The Candy-Tuft is one of those annuals which contribute generally toenliven the borders of the flower-garden: its usual colour is a palepurple, there is also a white variety of it, and another with deep butvery bright purple flowers, the most desirable of the three, but where agarden is large enough to admit of it, all the varieties may be sown. For want of due discrimination, as MILLER has before observed, Nurserymen are apt to collect and mix with this species the seeds ofanother, viz. The _amara_, and which persons not much skilled in plantsconsider as the white variety; but a slight attention will discover itto be a very different plant, having smaller and longer heads, differingalso in the shape of its leaves and seed vessels, too trifling a plantindeed to appear in the flower-garden. Purple Candy-Tuft is a native of the South of Europe, and flowers inJune and July: it should be sown in the spring, on the borders of theflower-garden in patches; when the plants come up, a few only should beleft, as they will thereby become stronger, produce more flowers, and beof longer duration. [107] CASSIA CHAMÆCRISTA. DWARF CASSIA. _Class and Order. _ DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. _Generic Character. _ _Calyx_ 5-phyllus. _Petala_ 5. _Antheræ_ superne 3 steriles; infimæ 3 rostratæ. _Legumen. _ _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ CASSIA _Chamæcrista_ foliis multijugis, glandula petiolari pedicellata, stipulis ensiformibus. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. Ed. 14. _ _Murr. P. 394. _ _Hort. Kew. P. 54. _ CHAMÆCRISTA pavonis major. _Comm. Hort. 1. P. 53. T. 37. _ [Illustration: No 107] A native of the West-Indies, and of Virginia according toLINNÆUS; not common in our gardens, though cultivated as longago as 1699, by the DUCHESS OF BEAUFORT; (_vid. Hort. Kew. _)unnoticed by MILLER. This species, superior in beauty to many of the genus, is an annual, andconsequently raised only from seeds, these must be sown in the spring, on a hot-bed, and when large enough to transplant, placed separately inpots of light loamy earth, then replunged into a moderate hot-bed tobring them forward, and in the month of June removed into a warm border, where, if the season prove favourable, they will flower very welltowards August; but, as such seldom ripen their seeds, it will be properto keep a few plants in the stove or greenhouse for that purpose, otherwise the species may be lost. [108] ANTHYLLIS TETRAPHYLLA. FOUR-LEAV'D LADIES-FINGER. _Class and Order. _ DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. _Generic Character. _ _Calyx_ ventricosus. _Legumen_ subrotundum, tectum. _Specific Character and Synonyms. _ ANTHYLLIS _tetraphylla_ herbacea, foliis quaterno-pinnatis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. Ed. 14. _ _Murr. P. 25. _ _Hort. Kew. Vol. 3. P. 25. _ LOTUS pentaphyllos vesicaria. _Bauh. Pin. 332. _ TRIFOLIUM halicacabum. _Cam. Hort. 171. T. 47. _ [Illustration: No 108] An annual; the spontaneous growth of Spain, Italy, and Sicily, flowersin the open border in July, and ripens its seeds, in September. Long since cultivated in our gardens, but more as a rare, or curious, than a beautiful plant. Its seeds are to be sown in April, on a bed of light earth, where theyare to remain; no other care is necessary than thinning them, andkeeping them clear of weeds. INDEX. In which the Latin Names of the Plants contained in the _Third Volume_ are alphabetically arranged. _Pl. _ 101 Alyssum halimifolium. 108 Anthyllis tetraphylla. 74 Antirrhinum triste. 99 " purpureum. 102 Campanula speculum. 107 Cassia Chamæcrista. 77 Centaurea montana. 81 Colutea arborescens. 76 Epilobium angustissimum. 97 Fuchsia coccinea. 95 Geranium Radula. 86 Gladiolus communis. 90 Gorteria rigens. 83 Hibiscus syriacus. 87 Hyoscyamus aureus. 106 Iberis umbellata. 91 Iris susiana. 82 Lachenalia tricolor. 96 Lantana aculeata. 100 Lathyrus tingitanus. 79 Lotus jacobæus. 104 Lysimachia bulbifera. 73 Monsonia speciosa. 88 Narcissus Bulbocodium. 78 " odorus. 103 Pelargonium acetosum. 75 Potentilla grandiflora. 92 Saxifraga sarmentosa. 93 Sempervivum monanthes. 94 Sisyrinchium iridioides. 85 Spartium junceum. 80 Spigelia marilandica. 105 Tradescantia virginica. 98 Tropæolum minus. 84 Tussilago alpina. 89 Viola pedata. INDEX. In which the English Names of the Plants contained in the _Third Volume_ are alphabetically arranged. _Pl. _ 101 Alyssum sweet. 77 Blue-bottle greater. 85 Broom Spanish. 106 Candy-tuft purple. 107 Cassia dwarf. 84 Coltsfoot alpine. 81 Colutea, or Bladder-Senna tree. 86 Corn-flag common. 103 Crane's-bill sorrel. 97 Fuchsia scarlet. 95 Geranium rasp-leav'd. 90 Gorteria rigid-leav'd. 87 Henbane golden-flower'd. 83 Hibiscus Syrian. 93 Houseleek dwarf. 91 Iris chalcedonian. 78 Jonquil great. 82 Lachenalia three-colour'd. 108 Ladies finger four-leav'd. 96 Lantana prickly. 102 Looking-glass Venus's. 104 Loosestrife bulb-bearing. 79 Lotus black-flower'd. 73 Monsonica large-flower'd. 88 Narcissus hoop-petticoat. 100 Pea Tangier. 75 Potentilla large-flower'd, 92 Saxifrage Strawberry. 94 Sisyrinchium Iris-leav'd. 80 Spigelia, or Worm-grass Maryland. 74 Toad-flax black-flower'd. 99 " purple. 105 Tradescantia Virginian. 98 Tropæolum, or Indian cress, small. 89 Violet cut-leav'd. 76 Willow-herb narrowest-leav'd.