1

con
Doots Coyle
320
insa
1837
ARTES
SCIENTIA
VERITAS
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
TULBOR
SI QUERIS-PENINSULAM AMENAM
CIRCUMSPICE
2
LIAM WESLEY & SON.





E X OT IC
Β Ο Τ Α Ν Υ
ILLUSTRATED,
IN
THIRTY-FIVE
FIGURES
OF E L E GA N T
CHINESE and A M E RICA N
SH R U BS
AND
PL AN TS,
Μ Α Ν Υ Ο F Τ Η Ε Μ Ν Ε W.
E X P L A IN I N G
THE SEXUAL SYSTEM;
A N D
Tending to give fome NEW LIGHTS
IN TO
THE VEGETABLE PHILOSOPHY.
THE SE C O N D E DI TI O N.
B Y
JOHN HILL,
M. D.
M EM BER OF
THE
IMPERIAL ACADEMY, &c. &c.
O N D ON:
Printed for the AUTHOR in St. James's-Street;
And Sold by R. BALDWIN in Pater-Nofter-Row; J. RIDLEY in St. James's-Street; ELMsly in
the Strand; and RICHARDSON and URQUHART at the Royal Exchange.
M.DCC.LXXII.

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11944
(iii)
Τ Ο
HIS G R A CE
THE DU K E
DUKE OF
F.
NORTHUMBERLAND
My Lord,
I
F repeated Obligations demand renew'd Acknowledgments, I
Thould be the moſt ungrateful of Mankind to omit this Op-
portunity of declaring how much I owe to Your Grace's continued
Favour ; and with how little Title ; beyond the mere Deſire not to
be found wholly unworthy of it.
But there is another Source from which this Undertaking in a man-
ner claims the Protection of Your Grace's moſt reſpected Name. The
Plants which will be found its beſt Recommendation, are new in
EUROPE: and ſeveral, indeed the greater Part of theſe, were firſt rais’d
in this unfavourable Climate under Your Grace's immediate Care : they
were the Produce of Your own Stoves ; and Gardens.
Theſe,

iv .
DE DI C A TI O N.
Theſe, if their humble Rank allow'd Senſation, would glow with a
new Luſtre when they reflected on their Origin : but what they cannot
know, he feels moſt ſenſibly, who gives the World theſe their faint
Repreſentations; and who can have no greater Pride than that of throw-
ing himſelf with them, at Your Grace's Feet. To enjoy Your Protec-
tion, is to claim upon a fure Title, that of the World : for all are ſen-
fible there is no Way of attaining that, but by endeavouring to de-
ſerve it.
I have the Honour to be,
With the higheſt Reſpect and Gratitude,
My Lord,
Your Grace's
Moſt Obedient,
And moſt Humble Servant,
St. James's-Street.
May 25 1772
J. HILL
1

co)
Ε Χ Ο Τ Ι Ο
B O T AN
Y.
I N T ROD U C TI O N.
He following figures are all engraved from nature. Moſt of the Plants came
over dried, as fpecimens; and they were brought to the ſtate wherein they are re-
preſented in theſe deſigns, by maceration in warm water : The method was this.
TH
The Plant was laid in a China diſh, and water was poured upon it, nearly as much as
the cavity would hold; another diſh, fomewhat ſmaller, was turn’d down upon this, and
the Edges were cemented with common Paſte, ſpread upon brown paper : This was ſet
upon a pot half full of cold water, and placed over a gentle fire. Thus managed, after a
little time the lower diſh heats; and the water gradually in it: A few minutes then com-
plete the buſineſs. The Plant, however rumpled up in drying, expands and takes the na-
tural form it had when freſh. Even the minuteſt parts appear diſtinctly.
The ſpecimen is deſtroyed by this operation, but it ſhews itſelf, for the time, in full
perfection : I could have wiſhed to ſave ſome of theſe, but they were facrificed to the
work; and I hope their remembrance will live in the Deſigns.
This is the hiſtory of the Asiatic Plants : to theſe I have added ſome few others, that
ſerved beſt to illuſtrate the Sexual Syſtem: and to ſhew the courſe of nature in conſtruct-
ing DOUBLE Flowers. Deſcriptions at length are not needed; for the figures ſhew all
the parts diſtinctly : only what theſe cannot expreſs, as the height of the entire Plant, the
Organs concealed within the Flowers, and the like, are added: with ſuch other obſervations
as appeared moſt curious or uſeful.
The place whence I received each is ſet down : and this gives a general direction as to
the degree of expoſure the Plant will bear. I have not named that more particularly, be-
cauſe it is not yet known. Experience will be the beſt Guide. There are many Shrubs
which we now nurſe in green-houſes, that would very well bear the open borders.
The Seeds of theſe Plants came over with the ſpecimens ; and they were ſent to
four remote parts of the kingdom, where I have correſpondence, with thoſe who have
ſtoves, and have been moſt ſucceſsful in raiſing tender Species : fome muſt be expected
to fail ; and ſome lye long in the earth; but the firſt ſeaſon raiſed ſeveral of them;
and in the fucceeding years all, excepting a very few, have appeared.
of the pages
In this edition the Trivial name of the Plant is every where put at the top
and the Specific character at bottom ; both from the laſt edition of the Syſtema Naturæ :
The author tho' himſelf has now propoſed to the world a different Syſtem, yet as out of re-
ſpect to the great and excellent inventor of the Sexual method, he originally arranged this
ſet of Plants according to that form ; and for the pleaſure of thoſe who wiſh to underſtand
t hat method, has continued it here, and given a view of it in Flowers where it is very
conſpicuous.
B

MONANDRIA LINNÆÍ.
SCAR L E T
CO S T U S.
CO S T U S A R A BICU S.
W!
HETHER every Plant of Costus affumes this glowing colour, at a certain
period, I cannot ſay: this was from MADAGASCAR; and tho’ ſeveral Flowers
were perfect on it; and the Buds of many others had not yet opened, it was, ex-
cept for a few light Traces of Green toward the top, entirel; ſcarlet. The ſnow-white
of the Flowers upon this red ground, give it a character of conſummate elegance; and there
is alſo fingularity enough about them to demand the attention of the Philoſopher.
The Stalk is round; jointed like a reed, a yard high, and of a ſhining crimſon. The
Leaves ſurround it at their Baſe, forming a filmy Scabbard ; thence they run out to a
conſiderable length ; waved at the Edge, ſupported by large Ribs ; and pointed at the
end. They were, in this Plant, all of a high and pure ſcarlet: .
The Flowers are numerous, and moſt conſpicuous. Their Buds form together a vaſt
Head, which ſeems compoſed of poliſh'd coral. The Rudiment of a Seed-veſſel ſupports
each Flower : There riſes from the Head of this a Cup divided into three deep pointed
Segments of a glowing red on the outſide, and of a violet blue within. The vaſt Flower
burſts from its hollow, and is of an ermine whiteneſs; tender, delicate, and finely ſcented;
and in form different from all Flowers we know in EUROPE.
Three pointed Petals form the lower and the outer part, and from the midſt of theſe
riſes a nectarium, or tubular body; larger ; and expanded at the Rim: within this there is
yet another ſeeming Petal, ſmaller, bent back upon it, and curled up again; and facing
this a very narrow part crowned with a yellow ſplit Button, all the reſt being white. This
is the Figure of the Flower from nature. The Style is fingle and flender : The Seed-
veſſel, which follows, is divided into three parts, and holds many Seeds: The Root is
tuberous, irregular, ſpungy, and white; almoſt infipid, but with a light ſpicy Flavour.
The Fragrance of the Flower is delicate; and 'tis the Baſe alone that has it: the
upper
part is ſcentleſs.
No care would be too much to make this more familiar in our collections; and in the
native ſoil 'tis very hardy: it loves a black moiſt earth, and thrives beſt under ſhade.
The Roots parted at any ſeaſon grow readily: The Flowers open at night, and melt away
under the next day's ſun; but there is a long and large ſucceſſion of them.
The Sexual fyſtem, invented by LINNÆUS, arranges Plants into Claſſes, according to
the number, ſituation, and proportion of the duſty Buttons in the Flower, which
grow
uſually upon ſlender Filaments, about the young Seed-veffel. In this there is only one;
the Plant is therefore of the firſt Claſs, the MonANDRIA. The Button is ſupported on a
narrow Petal, inſtead of a Filament; and 'tis the ſame in others of the Claſs, the CANNA
is an inſtance. We ſhall fhew hereafter the Diſtinction between Filament and Petal is
flight and vague : one eaſily enlarges into the other, and many double Flowers are formed
only by the ſwelling of their Filaments.
Coſtus.

Muu
Scarlet Costus.

•ܐ


PI, 2
Profuse Najctancha

DIANDRIA LINNÆI.
PROFUSE
NYCTANT HES.
NYCTANTHES SAMBA C.
T
HIS fweet Nyctanthes, which, with us, ftraggles along the bark bed of a
ftove, a weak, unſightly, and irregular Plant ; graces the CHINESE foreſts in a
better form. 'Tis even there a weak Shrub, but riſing among thickets, it lays
its ſlender boughs upon their more robuſt Branches, and carries them to the height of
twelve or fourteen feet; grac'd with innumerable Flowers, and with a glorious verdure.
With us the Leaves are often pale, for the free air gives colour; and our ftoves can but
admit a moderate ſhare of it. There where it breathes its perfumes to the wind, the
Leaves have alſo their complete and glowing colour. The Stalks are lightly hairy, and
they divide wildly, but pleaſingly, with obtufe angles, The Leaves are firm in ſub-
ſtance, and deep ribb’d. The Flowers are ſnow-white, and innumerable. More had
fallen from this ſpecimen than remain’d upon it, yet the number was ſtill equal to thoſe
here repreſented. It very well deſerves therefore the character, Profuse of Bloom; and
it may diſpute the prize of fragrance againſt all Vegetable nature.
The Flowers ſtand in ſmall cluſters at the extremities of the Branches : each has its
lacerated Cup, with eight narrow and ſharp-pointed diviſions, which grow in length
after the bloom is fallen. One Petal forms the body of the Flower: This is a ſlender
tube, divided at the edge naturally into no more than eight Segments, but no Flower
grows more readily luxuriant. In this ſpecimen, gather'd in a hedge, they were in ge-
neral nine ; and we ſhall fee, in the ſucceeding page, how art can multiply them farther.
Each Segment riſes from the head of the tube, with a bearded baſe, which wears off
as they grow in number and in length; and is in all ſtates moſt conſpicuous in the
outermoft diviſions. Deep in the hollow of the tube lie two Filaments with their but-
tons, and one ſtyle riſes up between them, exceeding them greatly in length. The two
Filaments fhew it to be of the fecond claſs, the DIANDRIA.
It will be worth while to examine this Flower ſtrictly, for the fake of that which
follows. I know no ſubject more curious than ſearching nature in her courſe of doub-
ling Flowers : and this is at once a fingular and very glorious inſtance. In many others
the Filaments ſwell into Petals, and the doubleneſs begins from the baſe of the Flower ;
in this the Luxuriance riſes from the head of the Tube, and the two ſmall Filaments re-
main unalter'd at its bottom. This Flower of nine Petals is an approach to double-
neſs; and will lead toward the knowledge of the other.
The tube terminates in a thick, unequal, knobbed circle: and from the outer verge
of this riſe the eight proper Petals, but when it ſwells to more than the natural thick-
neſs, others come up within theſe, from different parts of its furface, forming the
inner circle. No more appears in this condition of the Plant. It is thus a very valuable
article in our collections : but in the fully double ſtate it exceeds all price.
Nyctanthes foliis inferioribus cordatis obtuſis ſuperioribus ovatis acutis.
Jaſminum Arabicum Authorum.
2

3
DIANDRIA LINNÆJ.
ROSE A TE NYCTANTHES.
NY C TΑ Ν Τ Η Ε S
AN
MULTIPLE X.
TI
HIS alſo I received from CHINA; not from their fields, but gardens : where
they boaſt they can produce it from the other at their pleaſure. If this be true,
they exceed us in gardening, as much as in ſome other of the arts. Perhaps it is the
firſt Shrub of the world for elegance and fragrance. The Stem is more robuſt than in
the former, and does not equal two thirds of its height: The Leaves are altogether
alike, as is alſo the general form of the Plant; but the Flowers differ in their diſpofi-
tion: there is only one upon each Footſtalk or termination of the Branch, 'tho' they
are numerous on the entire Shrub: their form is not unlike that of a double roſe; their
bigneſs juſt what is here repreſented : they are white in colour, and they exceed in fra-
grance even the fingle kind. The doubleneſs ariſes from the original rim of the Tube,
and the two proper Filaments I found perfect in the centre of ſeveral of the Flowers,
with their complete buttons. The Cup in fome degree partakes of the nature of the
Flower ; and its pointed ſegments fall in filmy pieces down the Footſtalk.
We are led one ſtep towards the knowledge of Double Flowers and their conſtruc-
tion, by this Shrub; for here alſo the multiplied Petals riſe from the knotted ſubſtance,
which forms the rim of the Tube in the natural Flower : that becomes larger, more
exuberant; and inſtead of fending out one or two rows of Petals, burſts into many.
If we could learn what power in nature occaſions this; we ſhould know how to
imitate it in the works of art. 'Tis not rank nouriſhment, like that from dung, for
this extends the entire Plant in height and bigneſs; which prevents, not favours the
production of Double Flowers. From the Tulip to this Shrub 'tis uſual that theſe
are produced on ſhorter Plants than the ſingle. May it not be, that nature, urged by
ſome accident in the general courſe of growth, opens ſooner into Flowers than otherwiſe,
and ſo makes them double? The great cauſe appears to me to be a proper addition of
rich, but not rank nouriſhment.
In the common courſe of nature; a Plant at a certain height, that is, at a certain dif-
tance from the Root, produces Flowers ; the Bark, inſtead of Leaves, then forming a
Cup, and the inner rind Petals. Now if rich nouriſhment force the Plant to break into
Flowers at a leſs diſtance from the Root, more food is carried to them, and more Petals
are formed. The original Petal conſiſts of two membranes, and a ſpungy ſubſtance
between them; in this Flower the innermoſt ſkin is thrown off, and becomes an entire
Petal, and the chill air forms another ſkin in its place out of this ſpungy part; this is
afterwards thrown off as the firſt, and ſo a ſecond ſeries of Petals is formed; and by the
ſame proceſs afterwards are produced many more.
This is evidently the formation of the Double Flower in the preſent inſtance. Nor
is any to wonder, that in the place of four or five ſingle ones there comes upon each
Footſtalk but one of theſe. We ſhall ſhew the ſame change preſently in a more common
Plant, the NARCISSUS.
Science allows no Names to DOUBLE Flowers; the Effect of Culture.

Pag
Pl.3.
Rascate Nyctanthes

06


P1.4
Tyger Ixia.

TRIANDRIA LINNAD.
T Y G ER I X I A.
I XIA CHINENSIS.
TH
HIS I received from CHINA: it is alſo a native of the AMERICAN continent: but
if they meant to figure it, who gave the firſt accounts of a Flos Tigridis, they
were very ill deſigners. This deſerves all the praiſe theirs had for elegance; and will be
a fovereign beauty in our beſt collections.
The Plant is ſeven foot high: the Stalk is thick, firm, jointed, and tinged with crimſon.
The Leaves are long and flaggy; of a freſh green; and firm by means of vaſt Ribs: they
ſurround the Stalk at their baſe; and are there whitiſh within.
The Flowers ſpread from the ſummit in a broad looſe cluſter, extremely fpecious; and
not leſs fingular: no eye could miſs admiring them at a diſtance, or being yet more
charmed on a nearer view. Each has ſix Petals : theſe are placed in two ſeries ; three in
each. Thoſe of the outer ſeries are larger, but thoſe of the inner are more richly painted,
LINNÆUS calls the fix Petals of the Ixia equal: but this Plant manifeſtly ſhews the contrary.
The colours are a delicate yellow, and a full crimſon, and they are thus diſpoſed upon
the Flower : The three outer Petals are yellow from their baſe to three fourths of their
length, and in all that part they are fpotted, like the tyger's ſkin, with crimſon ; on their
Points they have the ſame crimſon, but ſomewhat paler, throughout the whole breadth.
This is the colouring of the inner part of theſe Petals ; their outſide is yellow, and the
crimſon ſpots are only carried lightly along the edges. The three inner Petals are more
uniformly marked; they are yellow throughout; and are all over ſpotted with this cle-
gant crimſon.
at
'Three Filaments riſe from the baſe of the Flower with yellow buttons, themſelves of a
fine crimſon; and they ſurround a ſingle ſtyle, whitiſh, and divided into three parts
the head, or ftigma. The Rudiment of the Seed-vefſel ſtands under the Flower, and is
triangular, and filled with many feeds.
The three Filaments very diſtinctly ſhew that the Plant belongs to the TRIANDRIA, the
third claſs in the Sexual Syſtem : and none can be at a loſs to know that Claſs for ever
who looks into this Flower.
Its natural habitation is the defart, fun-burnt fand of the INDIES; and it thrives no where
ſo well as in the neighbourhood of the ſea : not on the ſhore, but at half a mile, or a
mile diſtance. Its tuberous roots lie deep beneath the ſurface, twelve or fifteen inches,
and it propagates itſelf fo faft, that there are leagues of ground covered with it.
Our gardeners ſhould more regard this particularity of certain Plants that love ſome in-
fluence of the ſea, though they do not grow upon the abſolute fhote. We have fome Tre-
foils, and other English Herbs, which have the ſame Quality; never being found on the
fhore, ñor ever far from it. The influence of fea-water reaches a great way. A little
fea-falt in the mould wherein theſe Plants are propagated, would anſwer the purpoſe; and
they would thrive much better, becauſe their nouriſhment would be more natural.
Ixia foliis enſiformibus, panicula dichotoma, floribus pedunculatis.
C

5
TETRANDRIA LINNÆI.
AMETHYSTINE CALLICAR PA.
CALLICARPA AMERICAN A.
W
E add here an AMERICAN to our ASIATIC treaſures; a ſhrub whoſe berries have
an elegance not met with elſewhere in the Vegetable world. Its hardineſs
is alſo a great recommendation. We keep it in Green-houſes, but this cannot be necef-
ſary; a native of North America will bear the free Air in our climate.
It is a Shrub of moderate height, with pliant Branches, and large handſome Leaves. The
Flowers grow in a ſingular manner; like thoſe of what are called the Verticillate Plants :
two Leaves riſe oppoſite; and from the Bofom of each Footſtalk grows a tuft of Bloffoms;
which, as they open, ſpread into an elegant cluſter, ſurrounding the whole Stalk.
Theſe Flowers are of a pale, but elegant crimſon ; they have a ſmall green Cup, and
each is divided into four Segments, mimicking ſo many Petals; and ſpreading widely open.
The Cup has alſo four diviſions, but they are ſmall and flat.
Four long and ſlender Filaments riſe from the Bottom of each Flower, with oval But-
tons; and they ſurround a ſingle Style fixed on the Rudiment of the future Berry. The
mark of the Tetrandrous Claſs, is as plain and perfect here, tho' ſmall, as that of the
Triandrous in the preceding Plant.
The Berries are the great beauty of this Shrub; they have a great delicacy and elegance
in tinct and in conſtruction, which attract every Eye. They cluſter round the Stalks at
theſe Joints, as the Flowers had done; and they are as big as ſmall Peaſe; round and
extremely gloffy.
Their ripe colour is a moſt delicate purple, not deep but ſhining ; exactly that of
fome pale Amethyſts ; and they appear covered inſtead of that tough ſkin which inveſts
our Berries, with a thin ſhelly, and as it were pearly Coat; upon whoſe ſurface the colour
plays accordingly to the light, as in the Opal, or fine Mother of Pearl: or as we imitate
it in what are called the Changeable Silks. As they ſtand they have not the aſpect of
Berries, but of Pearls tinged naturally of this Amethyſtine colour. Thoſe to whom I firſt
ſhewed ſome of them, brought from the native climate of the Shrub, took them for ſhelly,
and not vegetable ſubſtances. Mr. LEE of Hammerſmith, a very able nurſeryman, has
ſince ripened them here to the ſame perfection. I gave a ſmall Shrub, with the Berries
perfect upon it, laſt Year, to my great Friend and Patron, the Patron of all uſeful ſtudies,
the Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND; too great for flattery; and too good for praiſe.
As the four Filaments in each Flower ſhew this to be of the fourth claſs in the Sexual
Syftem, the TetrANDRIA ; ſo, like the preceding, having but one Style riſing from the
Rudiment of the fruit, it is of the firſt Order under that claſs, the MONOGYNIA.
It has been called SPHONDYLOCOCCUS, and by our Gardeners, uſually, JOHNSONIA, It
grows freely from Cutings; and in the ſecond year may be brought into its place in our
plantations.
Callicarpa foliis ferratis.

Pa. 5
Pl.5
Crava
2
will
Amethystine (allicarpa

FO


Pl.6
122
!!
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Ermine tzalea.
SO

6
PENTANDRIA LINNÆI.
E R Μ Ι Ν Ε Α Ζ Α L Ε Α.
AZALEA INDICA.
T
HIS Hedge Shrub, wild, and common throughout the Chinese Empire, excels
all that we know in our gardens. They introduce it in their romantic works of
art alſo ; where it carries an everlaſting bloom in the front of thoſe ſtrange rocks, with
which they terminate their views ; or ſtartle the ſtranger's eye in their vaſt gardens.
There is a fatteny ſoftneſs in the flower, unlike all the EUROPEAN kinds; and its con-
fiderable fize, and moſt extraordinary painting, gives it new characters of beauty.
The Shrub is nine foot high, and naturally grows in a looſe open manner, ſpreading
into diſtant branches, which the winds play with, in great wantonneſs, and through
which the freſh air at all times breathes freely : to this perhaps is owing, in a great
degree, the peculiar luftre of the bloom. Our gardeners know how effential this free
courſe of air is to the perfection of Fruits : perhaps it is as requiſite to the full beauty of
Flowers. Mildews and blights affect theſe tender parts of Plants as well as the Fruit; and
to render them fully glowing, it may be as needful to prevent the occaſions of ſuch ac-
cidents. Nature has done a great deal in this Plant, and we ſee the conſequence ; art
may try in others.
The Leaves are of a delicate green on the upper part, and whitiſh underneath. The
Wood is firm and white, and the Bark brown, The Cups from which the Flowers rife
are ſoft and downy; cut into five ſegments. The Flower itſelf is white, tinged on the
back with a deep crimſon. The ſame colour, only brighter, plays alſo on the edges ;
and on the ermine whiteneſs of the body of the Petals it is again ſtamp'd in little ſpots ;
as art diſpoſes the black tails of that creature in making habits of the ſkins. One Petal
forms the Flower, but it is deeply cut into five parts, and within riſe five elegant and con--
fpicuous Filaments: theſe are crimſon, and crown'd with yellow buttons. The ſtyle is
ſingle.
autumn.
In the wild ſtate it flowers twice in the ſeaſon ; painting the hedges ſpring and
In gardens it blooms throughout the year; and never drops the leaf. The
Chinese, who attend to the leaſt circumſtances, in their culture of Plants, manage this
Shrub in a peculiar way, to keep it always blooming. Every evening they take off the
decay'd Flowers with their Stalks. This prevents the ripening of feeds ; and conſe-
quently more Flowers follow : as in our domeſtic fowls, if they be permitted to fit, the
laying ceaſes, but if the eggs are removed that ſhould have afforded the young brood,
they continue to lay on.
Thus every morning there is a ſucceſſion of buds, which, when the ſun grows warm
upon them, burſt at once into theſe noble Flowers : an elegant and wonderful appearance.
The five Filaments fhew this Shrub to be one of the PENTANDRIA, the fifth claſs in
the Sexual Syſtem.
The Flower varies amazingly under the culture of the Chineſe in regard to colour, but
they have not, fo far as I learn, made any advance towards doubling it.
2
Azalea floribus ſubſolitariis, calycibus piloſis.

7
PENTANDRIA LINNÆI.
NOSE GAY PERIWIN K L E.
V IN CAROS E A.
WITH us this new favourite of the ftove makes an clegant appearance ; but fo
much inferior to the full excellence it wears in CHINA, that unleſs I ſhould ob-
ſerve the preſent figure is from a ſpecimen ſent out of that country, fome half-inſtructed
Botaniſt would ſay I had exceeded nature. It has been thought, the figures of this work
in general repreſent very elegant Plants of their ſeveral kinds ; but thoſe who did me the
honour to view the ſpecimens with me, will declare they are very much below nature;
tho' they are as like her works as I could make them.
When Kæmpfer brought into Europe the ſpecimens he had collected in Japan, the
Plants which HERMAN had raiſed, tho’ from the Seeds of the fame Shrubs, appear'd ſo
unlike to them, that many, at the firſt fight, thought the Species different : but thoſe
variations went no farther than colour, number of Flowers, and the like accidents. The
eſſential characters were altogether the ſame in thoſe collected healthy under their native
ſky, and ſuch as the ſtoves furniſhed : the difference was in beauty, nothing more.
Perhaps the Seeds collected with theſe Specimens will yield Plants juſt as different, or juſt
as much inferior to themſelves as the others of that inſtance; but the difference is ſlight:
We ſee here what the Plants are in their extreme perfection ; and if we would raiſe them
to the ſame beauty here, we muſt give them air.
The name by which I have called this Shrub is a tranſlation of the Chinese term; they
call it ſo becauſe each Sprig cover'd with its cluſter of Flowers is in itſelf a noſegay.
The Shrub with them is four foot high, and grows naturally with a pleaſing irregu-
larity. The Bark is tender, and the Wood not hard. The Flowers ſtand ten, twelve, or
more together at the ſummit of every Branch ; and freſh Buds open as the firſt blown
Flowers decay. The noſegay is thus in part renewed daily, and yet ſeems everlaſting.
This is one of the PENTANDRIA, the fifth Claſs : but the five Filaments are not here
conſpicuous ; they are lodged in the Tube, and the Flower muſt be torn open to diſcover
them. This Tube ſwells toward the top, and there are five prominences on its ſurface;
’tis in this part the five membranaceous Buttons are lodged. They form that ſwelling,
and theſe prominences; and they ſurround the Embryo of the fruit; a moſt fingular Style
fixed on the Rudiment of a double Pod,
The Shrub is native of the EAST-INDIES, CHINA, and the Cape of Good Hope; and
in all thoſe Places it is nurs’d alſo in gardens : yet 'tis but within theſe few years we have
known it. The figure of it on the China ſkreens and other japan'd works always pleas’d
the eye, but it was ſuppos’d a mere piece of fiction. We once thought ſo of their vaſt Hi-
biſcus; but we know otherwiſe now; and we are in the way to more diſcoveries.
Vinca Caule fruteſcente erecto.

Paz
Pl.7
Nosegay Periwinkle.

PO
&
FE
borre
vo


COFOTO
CO
166
2
Peloria
$

8
PENTANDŘIÄ LINNIG
Í E L
O R I N E.
ANTIRRHINUM PE LORIA.
I
Add to the fifth Clafs a Plant, which 'tis a cuſtom rather to place among the mona
ſters: but few have ſeen it. This ſpecimen I owe to the favour of the Biſhop of
PANTOPPIDAN, who gather'd it in Norway.
By monſters, among Plants, Naturaliſts mean ſuch as have been produced by the co-
pulation of two diftin& kinds. 'Tis not impoſſible that the Organs of ſome different
Plants may be fo nearly like to one another, that ſuch a copulation may come within the
Verge
of rational belief: but I do not know to what Plant they would refer for one part
of the parentage of this, who fancy it a mongrel; tho' it were allow'd, that the common
LINARIA, which it muſt be acknowledg’d to reſemble; were the other.
"Tis thought VERONICA and Vervain, have produc'd a Monſter; or a mongrel Plant be-
tween them : Nor will I contradict the opinion; ſince negatives admit no proof. All I
can ſay is, that I have long cultivated the two Plants in the ſame border, and near one
another, but no middle kind has yet appear’d. 'Tis not impoſſible there may hereafter
or that which fails with me, may have ſucceeded with another.
s
The Peloria has a general reſemblance, in its aſpect, of the TOAD-FLAX; but the Flower
is altogether different. Even the Claſs is different: nor is the Plant, if I may judge from
a ſingle ſpecimen, ſo perfectly like this TOAD-Flax as has been ſaid.
of
any
From a long ſlender woody Root there roſe in this three Stalks ; purpliſh, weak, and
bent; whereas our LINARIA is uſually robuſt and upright. The Leaves were long, and
narrow, but they had blunter Ends than in the common TOAD-FLAX, and they were
paler.
The Flowers crown'd the top of each Stalk in a handſome Spike. They were
large, oblong, yellow, and in conſtruction wholly unlike not the LINARIA alone, but thoſe
other Plant whatever. The Mouth was regularly open'd, and the Tube long and
fwellid : at its Baſe there were four Horns or Spurs form'd of the fame Subſtance with the
Flower, and hollow. Within there ſtood five regular and perfect Filaments unlike en-
tirely thoſe of the LINARIA, and indeed of every thing elſe known. The Rudiment of
a Seed-veſſel was alſo perfect in many of the Flowers, and there were ſome unripe Seeds.
I have ſown theſe, tho' without much hope, becauſe they were plainly immature : if
they ſhoot we ſhall have opportunities of knowing fomething more of the Plant than we
do ať preſent; or if theſe fail, it will ſoon be in the Upſal Garden ; where a Root was
fome Years fince ſet, but at an ill ſeaſon, and without ſucceſs.
Perhaps the Proof of its being or not being a mixt Production, may be refer'd to the
ſucceſs of fairly ripen'd Seeds. If theſe produce their like, it will give a ſevere ſhock to
the receiv'd opinion. Mules produc'd from the horſe and aſs do not propagate : and
probably a Law ſo univerſal in the animal creation is not broken in the vegetable.
Peloria.
D

9
HEXANDRIA LINNÆI.
JACOB Æ AN AMARYLLIS.
AMARYLLIS FORMOSISSIM A.
V!
E receiv'd firſt from South America this pride and glory of the bulbous Claſs.
Mine, though of Asiatrc origin, differ'd in nothing from the uſual Plant, ex-
cept
that the Leaves were ſomewhat narrower, and of a leſs firm ſubſtance. I need not
recommend it to the world: The Hexandrous Claſs comprizes moſt of the bulbous Plants;
and they are generally crown'd with ſpecious Flowers : This has enjoy'd the firſt praiſe
hitherto; and fancy is the only judge, whether or not the next excels it.
The Leaves are fleſhy, but not firm: The Stalk is thick ; and what is very fingular, 'tis
often white, or tranſparent toward the ground, though it gives nouriſhment to this high-
colour'd Flower. The change which gives that glowing colour is made higher.
The Flower burſts from a filmy Scabbard ; and with its weight often bends the Stalk.
The diſpoſition of the Petals, one upright, two ſideways, and three downward, is regular
and eſſential in the Plant : and the bending of the lower Petals, by which they embrace
the Filaments towards the bottom, is yet more fingular.
The fix Filaments diſcover the Plant to be of this hexandrous Clafs; the ſixth in order
in the Sexual Syſtem: and the character of that Claſs cannot be more ſtrongly mark’d in
any Flower. The ANTHERÆ, or Buttons, which crown the Filaments, are at firſt long
and white ; afterwards ſhorter and yellow. It is a change frequent in the Anthera of other
Flowers; but here they are ſo large that 'tis eaſy to ſee how it is brought about. The
Plant will flower upon a ſhelf; and it may therefore be familiarly obſerv'd.
The Antheræ at their firſt appearance are furrow'd lengthwiſe, and are white. Each is
compos'd of two Tubes join'd on their inner part; and each has a groove outward along
the middle. If an Anthera be cut tranſverſely, theſe two Tubes are plainly ſeen; and they
are fill’d with a yellow powder, the Farina. After a Time they burſt: the Opening be-
gins at one end of each Tube, and in the Groove. As they ſplit farther up, the two Sides
turn back, and the Tubes contract themſelves, and become ſhorter. This makes their
change of ſhape : the yellow colour is owing to the Farina covering them.
The other parts of impregnation are as conſpicuous in this vaſt Flower. The Stigma, or
Top of the Style is cover'd with cryſtalline Clubs, and open Tubes, and is always wet
with a glutinous clear humour, ſerving to detain and burſt the grains of Farina.
There are alſo fix nectaria in the Baſe of the Flower, of a very curious and peculiar
ſtructure, folid at their Bottom, and branch'd upwards in the manner of white coral.
Theſe parts I firſt obſerv'd in that Species Amaryllis, figur’d in a ſmall work, entitled,
Outlines of Vegetable GENERATION, publiſh'd a few months ſince. Linnæus had
overlook'd them. I am happy to find them alſo in this Plant, which is a Species of the
ſame Genus. Different Obſervations thus confirm each other.
Amaryllis Spatha uniflora, corolla inæquali, petalis tribus, genitalibusque declinatis,
Jacobæan Lilly.
4
6***

Pl.
Pagg
Jacobaan
Imaryli

Ovan
AE


Pİ 10
Delicate
Amaryllis
ECUS

io
HEXANDRIA LINNÆr.
DELICATE
AMARYLLIS
A M A R Y LLIS ORIE N T A L I S.
TH
HE former Species; obtain'd from Linnæus, by its uncommon luſtre, the epithet
of FORMOSISSIMA; Most BeautiFUL: perhaps this will make the title doubtful.
Its profuſion in the entire cluſter is a great glory ; and the more elegant, though fainter
colour, entitles it well to the addition DelicATE. At times it has flower'd in the
EUROPEAN Stoves: but this has been ſo feldom, and with fo much variation, from the
more or leſs advantageous management, that they who poffefs’d the ſeveral Plants doubted
whether or not they were the fame Species ; and the good Heister lately thought it fo
glorious and ſo wonderful a fight, that when it burſt for Flower, he wrote upon the
garden gates an invitation to ſuperior beings, to come down and look upon it. He
thought the Plant that flower'd with him different from what had been deſcribd by
others, but 'twas only that it blow'd leſs perfectly. This is the aſpect of the cluſter in
perfection, as it flower'd in China, though 'tis otherwiſe the ſame with his ; as his own
Root and Leaves here figur'd alſo thew.
The Stalk is robuſt, upright, and crown'd at firſt with a vaſt ſingle bud; conſiſting
of many Flowers in a kind of Scabbard. When this burſts they throw themſelves na-
turally into a rounded form, and play in various elevations; their colour, which is pale
at firſt, grows ſtronger as they ſtand; and the whole cluſter remains a long time in per-
fection. The Flower has nothing of that fingularity which is ſo conſpicuous in the
pre-
ceding Species ; but it is not altogether regular, the Petals not being of equal length.
The characters of the ſixth Claſs, the Hexandria, are as conſpicuous and evident in this
as in the laſt named Species; and theſe bulbous Plants very happily ſhew that diſtinction,
which, though as certain in all others, is often obſcurºd by the ſmallneſs of the parts,
or by their ſituation in the depth of the Flower.
There is ſomething that deſerves notice in the ſcabbard of this Plant; the filmy ſub-
ſtance, which performs the office of a Cup, and holds the young Flowers, till they are
ripe for burſting: tho' the materials of this, and the form, properly ſpeaking, are the
ſame as in the other kind, yet the bigneſs here makes a ſtriking difference ; and it is more
durable, and is not wholly deſtitute of colour. It is perhaps the moſt elegant of its
kind; and is the next thing in degree to the Cup of the Hæmanthus, which the incu-
rious ſuppoſe a Flower. The term Scabbard, Spatha, is given to this kind of filmy
ſubſtance, ſupplying the place and office of a Cup; but there is alſo another
apparent
particularity in this Plant, thoſe crimſon threads which lie among the Footftalks of the
Flowers riſing from the fame baſe. All who ſaw them wonder'd: but 'tis their colour
only which is particular. They are of the nature of thoſe Films call’d Stipulæ in other
Plants, and there are the fame ſubſtances exactly, only white, in every common many-
flower'd Narciſſus,
Amaryllis Spatha multiflora, corollis inæqualibus, foliis linguiformibus.

HEXANDRIA LINNÆI.
DOUBLE
ORIFL A M M E.
TULIPA GESNERIANA MULTIPLEX.
O
Riflamme is a name given, long ſince, to a ſpecious ſingle Tulip, from its colours,
which were ſuppoſed to imitate thoſe of the antient ſacred banner of the FRENCH;
whoſe tints were blood and gold. I do not know, that before this year, it has been
feen double. This was the happy effect of a regulated culture: it was rais’d in ENGLAND,
and is added to the Plants of this collection, not alone for its beauty, but becauſe it will
ſerve very happily to explain the courſe of nature in doubling the Bulbous rooted,
Hexandrous Flowers.
The Leaves, the Root, and the whole aſpect of the Plant are the ſame with thoſe
of the ſingle Tulip from which it ſprings; but the Stalk is ſhorter. This confirms the
opinion advanc'd before in ſpeaking of the Roſeate Nyctanthes, that the force of nature
burſting into bloom, at a leſs growth in height than uſual, favours the doubleneſs of
Flowers : more Petals being form’d, becauſe there is more nouriſhment ſent thither.
In this Plate we ſee the ſingle and the double Flower together, and as the parts are all
large and conſpicuous, we ſhall trace without great difficulty how the change is made.
Double Tulips have hitherto been flighted, becauſe they were irregularly doubled; and
roſe as chance directed : this will perhaps bring them into repute, and the gardener may
have them thus regularly double, if he will follow the method of a proper culture.
The ſingle Tulip conſiſts of three parts: the Petals or Leaves which are fix, the fila-
ments with their buttons alſo fix, and a rudiment of a Seed-veffel. Theſe are con-
fpicuous in the fingle Flower ; in the double the fix outer Petals, and the rudiment
of the Seed-vefſel remain unalter'd, therefore the change is not made from them: but
the fix Filaments are loft entirely. Hence reaſon ſays the additional Petals are made out
of the Filaments : and this experience confirms.
The doubleneſs of a Tulip will be favoured by this culture. When the ſingle Tulip
is in the bud, juſt before it would have open'd, cut it down. Water the Root flightly,
morning and evening, and at the uſual ſeaſon take it up. Plant it again with marle in
the mould; and the next year uſe the ſame caution; many may be thus manag'd at
once, for a few of them only will come double, as is the caſe in Anemones and
many
other Flowers. Of theſe ſuch only as ſhew a tendency to doubleneſs the ſecond year,
are to be treated thus, the following, and ſo on for the ſucceeding ſeaſons. The firſt
tendency to doubleneſs is to be ſeen in the Filaments; they grow broader and more flat.
After this, it comes on thus: the Filaments grow yet broader and ſplit like forks, the
button ſtanding in the middle of the diviſion : then, in the ſucceeding years, the new
Petals grow broader, and the points wear off ; at length the rudiment of the button alſo
fades
away,
and there are then fix new Petals like the fix firſt : after this, each ſplits flat-
wiſe into two, and they become twelve, ſo that the Flower conſiſts of eighteen Petals
with no remains of buttons. This is the perfect double Tulip.
Tulipa fpeciofiffima antherum.

Pall
PL. 11.
Double
Oriflamme.

Pl. 12
Sanguineous Colchicum.
2
גיס

12
HÊXANDRIA LINNAI.
SANGUINEOUS COLCHICU M.
COLCHICUM AUTUMNALE MULTIPLEX.
WP
E are accuſtom’d to the Colchicum in great variety ; ſingle and double, ftrip'd as
the Tulip; and teſfelated as the Fritillary : but this will not be the leſs welcome.
The vaſtneſs of the Flower, and the contraſt of colours, the perfect blood upon
the
per-
fect ermine, tho' it be laid on with leſs regularity, will recommend it.
In autumn, there riſe, uncover'd from the ground, three Flowers, or more in a cluſter,
accompany'd by no Leaves, fupported by no Stalk, but naked and defenceleſs. The Root
below is an oblong Bulb, coated with a thick cheſnut-ſkin. At the height of an Inch
from the ground, each Bud opens into a Flower, equally delicate and magnificent, form'd
of eighteen Petals, long, wav’d-and pointed: the ground-colour is white, and the ſpots
are a bloody crimſon.
Nothing more is ſeen, unleſs by opening the ground. Then we perceive theſe Flowers
riſe from the centre of certain young Leaves which have been cover'd with them by a Scab-
bard, yellowiſh, rib’d, and dy'd with the ſame purple. This Scabbard is the outer ſkin of
the Bulb, next within the brown Coat; only growing thinner as it riſes. Within it, is
another very delicate membrane ; and then the Leaves, perfect at their Tops ; but convo-
luted, and leſs diſtinct as they are traced downwards. They encloſe all the way the Tubes
of the ſeveral Flowers, which are white and hollow.
The fingle Colchicum has ſix Filaments and a Style : the Filaments are in this double
Flower obliterated; they form the inner Petals as in the double Tulip, but the Style re-
mains. It is continued down to the Root, in three diſtinct bodies.
Deep in the centre lies the Rudiment of the Seed-veſſel, almoſt cloſe upon the Head of
the Root, regularly form'd, tho' very minute, and with all its diviſions. This grows and
riſes afterwards with the young Leaves about it, and in the ſucceeding ſpring, pierces the
Surface and ripens a large Seed-veſſel with no apparent previous Flower ; that having
blown in Autumn. A fingular, and great Proviſion of Nature for the Seeds.
The fix Filaments ſhew this to be one of the Hexandria, the fixth Claſs in the Sexual
Syſtem : but when we recollect the Flower, the Root, the Leaves, and all the parts of
the true faffron; and ſee that, becauſe the Filaments in that are only three, it becomes
one of the Triandria, and is ſeparated from this Colchicum, and coupled with the Ixia,
we own the Sexual Syſtem, tho' uſeful, is not natural. Whenever a true natural method
ſhall be eſtabliſh'd, the Colchicum and Crocus will be plac'd together. They agree in
the Roots, Leaves, and Flowers, for tho' the Leaves of Colchicum are broad, and thoſe
of Crocus narrow, both are graffy. They are alike in the eſſentials, and differ only in
theſe leffer characters.
This Flower was rais'd from feed fav’d from the common Colchicum, gather'd from
the wild plant in a meadow near Calne in WILTSHIRE.
Colchicum flore pleno auctorum,
E

13
HEXANDRIA LINNÆI.
IMPERIAL GLORIOS A.
GLORIOS A SUPERB A.
T
HE Tulip was conſider'd before this Flower; the doubleneſs of which has in it
ſomething moſt extraordinary; becauſe it will explain how nature has perform’d
the wonder. The waved Edges, and the inverted ſituation of the Petals in this, are what it
has in reality ſo ſingular: Theſe are from nature, for in the fingle ſtate of the Plant they
have the ſame curld and bent aſpect. The reſt is owing to a ſimple proceſs: the double-
neſs is formed juſt as in the Tulip, but it is not quite ſo perfect. There the Buttons are
entirely loft, here there remain ſome Veſtiges of them; and tho' but lightly, they deform
the Flower. We ſee a thouſand double Tulips in the ſame ſtate of imperfection, for one
that is like that, repreſented in our plate : and on the ſame principle, in the gardens of
CHINA, doubtleſs a perfect Glorioſa might have been found: but the gentleman who col-
lected for me, could not have the fame Advantages as if he had undertaken the friendly
taſk in EUROPE.
Tho' double, it produces Seeds : For the Rudiment of the Seed-veffel continues un-
hurt; and it is poſſible theſe remains of Antheræ, or the more perfect ones, in ſingle
Flowers, near the Plant, may impregnate them.
We have been accuſtom'd to receive the Species with ſingle Flowers from the EAST
Indies, I have not heard of it double before this ſpecimen; but in any ſtate it is a Plant
of vaſt fingularity and elegance. It climbs among the buſhes or winds itſelf round trees.
Nature has furniſhed few Plants ſo well for ſupporting themſelves ; for beſides that the
ſingle Stalk twiſts itſelf naturally as our hops round about whatever is near it, the Leaves
all terminate in fine long twiſted Points, a kind of Tendrils that lay hold alſo on every
thing near them.
Thus the Gloriofa, in the ſingle ſtate, covers whole thickets, ſpreading over their Tops
and falling down again every where before and among the branches. In that ſtate, the
Flower is made of fix Petals, as the Tulip, and there riſe from the Baſe of it fix Fila-
In this peculiar form of doubleneſs, the Filaments have become broad and form'd
themſelves into other Petals; and afterwards have ſplit flatwiſe as in that Flower when
fully double ; and this in the ſame manner has eighteen of them.
ments.
The Chinese boaſt they produce this change by art; and without exception they are
good gardeners: but probably the firſt came from nature. We fee double Ranunculus's
and Anemones riſe from ſeed with the ſingle, and double Tulips appear in thoſe beds where
only ſingle ones were planted. Nature does ſomething in this which does not fall under
the examination of our ſenſes, but we ſee the effect. Probably they who in China faw the
firſt tendency to doubleneſs in a Glorioſa, gave the plant a more careful culture. If they
have an abſolute art beyond this, it is one we ſhould be very happy to acquire.
This, as the Plants with double Flowers in the preceding inſtances, is lower than the
ſingle kind, it winds among their rocks, but five feet is its uſual height. The root is
tuberous.
Glorioſa ſuperba. Superb Lilly vulgo.

Paig
Pl. 13
3
9
Imperial Gloriosa.

000


Pa. 14
PL, 14.
500
Matamorphoses of Narcibi.
29)

14
HEXANDRIA LINNÆY.
METAMORPHOSES of the NARCISSI.
N ARCI S S I.
HOWB
OWEVER fingular it might appear, that purple threads crept about like worms
among the Foot-ſtalks of the Amaryllis ; or that from the cluſter of the profufe
Nyctanthes roſe one double Flower ; this Inſtance, by a familiar example, ſhews, that
our wonder, at one object, is often owing to our inattention to others : and that what
appears moſt ſtrange in foreign Flowers, or foreign Transformations, is found familiarly,
tho' leſs conſpicuouſly in thoſe of our own growth ; or is tranſacted daily in our gardens.
The ſingle Narciſſus, here figured, has the ſame kind of threads, only white ; and there
is the transformation made twice over.
From the Seeds of the common fingle Narciſſus of our country gardens, roſe the Plant
number'd 1. in the preſent plate, and from its Seeds which ripened in perfection, was pro-
duc'd the other, of which there are two views; and which, though rais'd thus from our
own Seeds, is the kind commonly called Oriental.
The common wild Narciſſus, too mean a Plant, and too well known to need a figura
here, bears on the ſummit of its weak Stalk, one large Flower. The two parts of which,
called the NECTARIUM or the Cup, and Petals, are both of the ſame yellow. We have
other common Narciſſus's, which produce many Flowers upon one Stalk: theſe are alto
gether different: The Cup being naturally of one colour, and the Petals of another ; but
the ſingle flowered kind is always uniform in tinct.
The Plant 1. raiſed from the Seeds of that kind, produced Flowers in a luxuriance un
known to the Species in its natural ſtate, yet preſerving their character : Three grew upon
one Stalk, with thoſe fine Stipulæ between them; but the Cup and Petals were as in the
original Plant of one colour,
The Seeds of this Plant 1. produced the other, 2. and here the Flowers again, inſtead
of three, were only one upon each Stalk; but vaſtly large and delicately doubled. The
Leaves differ'd alſo, for they were ſhorter in the double Flower, and the Stalk was lower.
We ſee therefore, to bear one or many Flowers upon a Stalk, tho' it has been eſteemed a
mark of great diſtinction, may be the character of a mere variety; and we are led by this
toward believing the boldeſt thing that ever was ſaid of varieties, Linnæus's reduction of the
Primroſe and Cowflip to one Species; the Oxlip being a middle ſtage between them.
The manner in which the doubleneſs is produc'd in this Plant, is different from all the
others which have been named; for the ſtructure of the Flower is alſo different. We have
ſeen the Filaments produce the doubleneſs of the Tulip, Colchicum, and ſuperb Lilly, all
of this Claſs ; and here they affiſt in the change : but there is alſo a peculiar part, the Nec-
tarium in the ſingle Flower. This is naturally indented at the Edges; and in the double
Flower it forms many of the inner Petals. Thoſe Indentings are carry'd down to the
Baſe, and make ſo many diſtinct parts: the reſt of the addition is made from the
Filaments; which, juſt as in the Tulip, ſpread into breadth and ſplit flatwiſe, each form-
ing two or more Petals.
The change from a ſingle Flower to a Cluſter together, is not peculiar to the garden in
theſe inſtances, or to the ſingle field Plant we have nam’d; the Solomon's Seal, in our
woods, has ſometimes ſingle, ſometimes cluſter'd Flowers, from each Joint of the Stalk;
and ſo have many others,
Narciſſi variantes,

15
ENNEANDRIA LINNAI.
RH U B A R B.
RH E UM
RH A B A R B A R U M.
W?
E have at different times received many Plants under the name of Rhubarb into
our gardens; for men were curious to know, to what Species that ineſtimable
Root belonged. They often were deceived, for thoſe were ignorant who undertook to
gather it; but among many errors, 'tis plain enough there came alſo truth,
, This Speci-
men was from the North of CHINA, wild upon the hills, where a great deal of Rhubarb
is taken for commerce.
up
I received it from one too careful to make miſtakes; and
who had opportunities of knowing. The Seeds came with it, and the Plants which
rife from them, I think, will ſhew, that the Species, now called Rhubarb, in our beſt
gardens, is fo. The difference between that and the preſent figure, is no more than
would naturally riſe from culture, and a different climate. The Roots of this and of
the palmated kind, 'tis faid are gathered indifferently for commerce.
Altho' the Flowers are trifling, there is ſufficient beauty in the whole Plant. The
Leaves have a bold and elegant wave upon their edges ; and the ſtature of the Plant,
together with their diſpoſition, the colouring of the Stalk, and frequent purple of the
ribs in the lower Leaves, make it extreamly well worth culture ; eſpecially as it requires
little care; and lives in full expoſure.
The Plant is a yard high, and its cluſter of Leaves even without a Stalk, have fuffi-
cient elegance. The Flowers are pale, they have no Cup, and one ſmall Petal forms
them; cloſe at the baſe, and cut into fix fegments,
They err’d who plac d it with the Docks; though its Flowers, Seeds, and whole Habit,
naturally might have juſtified the miſtake in times when the preſent diſtinctions of Plants
were not ſufficiently known. The certain characters of the Sexual Syſtem plainly ſeparate
it. Perhaps a natural method will ſome time change the face of things again. The Fila-
ments in the Flower are nine; and this invariably, according to the laws of the Sexual
Syſtem, places it in the ninth Claſs, the Enneandria : As the laſt named Species were re-
ferr’d to the Hexandria for their fix Filaments. The Plants of the two intermediate Claſſes,
the Heptandria and Octandria, are character’d by ſeven and by eight, and the preſent has its
place in the ſucceeding diviſion for its number; and differs from the Dock-kinds, whoſe
exterior form it wears, becauſe they have but fix. Yet it agrees in other characters, nearly
related to this Claſſic-mark, with thoſe reſembling Plants. The Heads of the Styles are
three, as, in the Docks; and tho' the neceſſary diſtribution of Linnæus ſeparates it three
Claſſes from them, yet the advance, from ſix to nine Filaments, being but a regular or
proportional gradation, declares that nature does not allow fo vaft a diſtance of theſe
Genera.
When we ſhall be able to attain a truly natural Order for Plants, probably this, and the
Dock, which riſe by a third in number of theſe parts, over one another, will be brought
together; as the Crocus and the Colchicum before-nam’d, whoſe proportion of the parts is
double. Something there is in nature, which authorizes this opinion: and how ſtrange
ſoever it might ſeem to a young Botaniſt, there is much more difference between two
Plants with ſix and with ſeven Filaments; than between thoſe which have fix and nine, or
three and fix, theſe being proportional Variations; the other abſolute differences.
Rheum Foliis ſubvilloſis, Petiolis æqualibus. Like

Pa 15
Pl. 15
Wis
0 0
00
066
Rhubarb

6
58
رووداد


P1.16
Pa 16
1956
a
To the Right Honourable
The Earl of NORTHUMBERLAND, Yatron of Science,
This figure of the Poinciana which flowerd al Sion House
by 9."
is Dedicated
5$

16
DÉCANDRIA LINNÆL.
BLO O MY FLOWERFENCE.
POINCIANA PULCHERRIM A.
HIS is a noble and elegant Shrub; and unlike every thing beſide in nature.
Theſe are a collection of vegetable beauties, and it is hard to fay, which of them
demands preference : but this is certainly inferior to none.
TH
We have heard of it from the East-Indies; and alſo in the WEST-INDIA INands : and
Seeds fent thence have produced often Plants in our ſtoves, but they have not fiower'd :
they rarely made the attempt, and when they ſhew'd Bud; they periſh'd in the effort.
This flower'd in the year 1758, at Sion House, under the eye of the Duke of Nor-
THUMBERLAND, whoſe ſtoves are better proportion'd for this fervice, than any I have ſeen;
and who has been ſo happy in his attention to the ſcience, as to enrich Europe with
more new Plants than could have been expected from any in the time, and in the pre-
ſent ſtate of BOTANY ; ſo much having been attempted every where.
Laſt year it flower'd in fuch perfection, as this figure repreſents, and made an effort
to ripen one Seed-vefſel. 'Tis now in the full Bud again, and having more ſtrength at the
Root, will probably accompliſh it. I do not deſpair of ſeeing the ſame Hand that rais'd
the Plant to flower in Britain, produce, from Seeds ripen'd here, a new Succeffion.
This was from China Seed, and there appear’d ſome difference in the Plant, but the
eſſential characters are all the ſame; and the variation is no more than accidental.
No Plant declares its Claſs more evidently than the Poinciana. 'Tis counted in the
Filaments; and theſe are wonderfully long and diſtinct : if all Plants ſhew'd them thus,
nothing would be ſo eaſy as the Sexual Syſtem. They are ten, and the Claſs is therefore
the DECANDRIA, the tenth in the Linnæan method.
Every thing conſpires to beauty in this Plant; the Leaves are elegant in form and
colour; and the diſpoſition of the Flowers in a long, looſe Spike, fufficiently near to make
one body, and yet ſeparate enough to ſhew each diſtinctly. The very Cups, as the Flower
opens, become colour'd, and make a part of it; nor is any thing more elegant than the
manner wherein thoſe long and numerous Filaments are lodged within the Bud till the
Flower opens. A fifth Petal in the Flower, and a fifth Leaf of the Cup, different in form
and colouring. From the others, add to the ſingularity and graceful wildneſs of the whole;
and the colour is in the higheſt degree rich and glowing. Art imitates it poorly. The
Filaments in particular are as diſtinguiſhable for colour as for form : the crimſon of theſe
is ill imitated by our beſt tincts. The form of ſuch a Cluſter, crown'd with their Antheræ,
ſtruck all who ſaw the Plant in earlier times of Botany, and they nam'd it PEACOCK'S
CREST, from the imagin'd reſemblance.
Poinciana aculeis geminis. Criſta Pavonis Authorum.
F

17
ICOSANDRIA LINNAD.
S N O WYM E S P I L U S.
M E S P I L U S N I V E A.
T
HE common hawthorn of our hedges would be allowed a Shrub of elegance,
were not the eye tired with its familiarity: that is a Mespilus according to the
received diſtinctions; and this native of our North America, another ; exceeding by
many degrees that beauty we have allowed the common kind. The Duke of Nor-
THUMBERLAND, whoſe honoured name I have ſo frequent cauſe to mention in the preſent
work, gave this among the reſt to the European Botany.
the reſt to the European Botany. His Grace raiſed the Shrub
from the fruit fent from New York, and it has now ſtood fome years in the common plan-
tation in his garden ; flowering in vaft profuſion every ſummer. Thoſe who have ſeen
the fair Shrub in this ſtate, will not aſk why I call it ſnowy: the pure white of the
ſtreaming ſpikes of Flowers, which hang from all its branches, give full cauſe : and there
is ſomething in the ſtarry diſpoſition, and wav’d form of the Petals, which calls to mind
the falling ſnow in a particular manner.
It is a Shrub of ten feet high; thick ſet with elegant green Leaves, indented with a
wonderful regularity at their edges : and the deep thining bark is no ſmall additional
grace. The characters of the Mespilus are ſtrongly and particularly inſcribed
upon
the
Flower; altho' the length and waving of the Petals
, the firſt obvious marks, appear very
fingular. The Cup has five diviſions ; and the Petals anſwer to the LINNÆAn character
in number, for they are five; but by no means in form. Subrotunda et concava, roun-
diſh and hollowed, was an expreſſion very proper in deſcribing the Petals of the common
kind, but by no means applicable to theſe, which are oblong and undulated. The ge-
nerical characters do not reft upon ſuch flight diſtinctions ; and we may fee by this 'tis
better not to admit them, for they fubject the characteriſticks to uncertainty. One is
enough that is fixed and invariable; and the dependence ſhould be alone on that.
The numerous Filaments are inſerted into the Cup, and this declares the claſs of the
Plant to be the ICOSANDRIA. They are too many for any of the Claſſes eſtabliſhed by the
number of theſe parts; and they are regularly proportioned : therefore the place of their
inſertion alone determines it.
This Shrub may be made a very agreeable article in clumps and ſmall plantations, but
as the value of it will depend upon the freſh green of the Leaves and the pure colour of
the Flowers, it muſt have a free air ; and be kept from the ſhade of larger trees. In this
caſe the Leaves will retain their verdure in full perfection; and the Flowers, tho' they do
not hold upon the Boughs quite ſo long, will have much more beauty; for hade turns
them yellowiſh ſoon after they are opened, and without a free courſe of the air the Leaves
on the lower part of the Plant foon wither. It would be ridiculous to trim it up to a
head ; for one great article of its beauty is the wild freedom of its growth; and natural
pendent poſition of its Flowers among the looſe and diſtant Branches.
Meſpilus nivea.
2

Parz
Pl.17
19
Snowy Mispilus.

GOOD
(
00


Pa, 18 Р
Sien -bright Mesembryanthemum
.

IČOŞANDRIA LINNAI.
SUN-BRIGHT
MESEMBRY ANTHEMUM.
MESEMBR Y ANTHEMUM
TENUIFOLIU M.
F fingularity or elegance alone can recommend a Plant to notice, none can diſpute
the double claim of this; for it has both. The untutor’d AFRICAN admires it
in his deſart: and the more we have of knowledge, the greater we muſt own its claim
to that diſtinction. Its general form, the manner of its growth, the peculiarity of its
Leaves; and above all, its glowing Flowers command our eſtimation. One farther
claim it has to our regard : tho' a native of very fultry regions, it bears the chill air of
Europe, better than moſt Plants from the ſame burning quarter.
There is never more
need of ſhelter, than a green-houſe will afford; and with good management, it will live
many months in a common border.
The Stalks have little ſtrength or firmneſs: they naturally throw themſelves every way
upon the ground, and the Piant forms a kind of circular tuft wherein the green and
fleſhy Leaves make a pleaſing variety with the crimſon Stalks, before the Flowers diſcloſe
their ſuperior beauty, The Leaves are thick and juicy, almoſt rounded in the circum-
ference, and fharp at the point. They are green all the year; and as the ſtraggling
branches hang from the rough rocks, or cover the burnt fands, they cannot but command
that univerſal attention which is paid them. With us a ſmall pot of earth feeds the
plant, and they fall over its edges very beautifully.
This Flower leads us a ſtep more forward, in the Sexual Syſtem, than we have hi-
therto advanced: thoſe we have named already, ſhewed the character of their ſeveral
claſſes, ſolely in the number of their Filaments, the claſs being named thence; and this
diftin&tion holds as far as twelve. Thoſe which have twelve Filaments, being Dodecan-
dria. The laſt Plant was of the Decandrous tribe, and nature offers not one, whoſe
Filaments are eleven : at leaſt, none ſuch has yet been diſcover’d.
After twelve we do not count the number : but are guided by the arrangement of the
Filaments, their proportion, or their place of inſertion.
Here then we enter on the diviſions form’d by the inſertion of the Filaments : this
Plant belongs to the twelfth claſs, the name of which is Icoſandria. This might ſeem to
mean, that the Flower had juſt twenty Filaments, but the account is not the article of
diſtinction : Icofandria is an adopted term, and the character of the claſs is not com-
pris’d in leſs than theſe three marks: the Flower has a hollow Cup form’d of one piece ;
the Petals or Segments of the Flower are fixed to the ſide of the Cup; and the Fila-
ments, which are numerous, are inſerted either on the ſide of the Cup, or to the Flower
itſelf; not to the receptacle or head of the Stalk whence the Flower riſes; for that is the
character of a diſtinct claſs, the Polyandria of which we ſhall ſpeak hereafter.
This is one of the moſt complex diſtinctions of the Linnæan Syſtem, and ſhould be
well fixed in the memory : the preſent Flower is a very proper inſtance, tho' the great
author of the Syſtem once, himſelf, miſtook it.
Meſembryanthemum foliis fubulatis ſemi-teretibus glabris internodio longioribus. Lin;

19
POLYANDRIA LINNÆI.
COMPLE A T
ANE MONE.
ANEMONE
CORONARI A.
NEMONES are too familiar for deſcription : and after what has been ſaid relat-
ing to the ICOSANDROUS claſs, there need few words to explain the character of
the POLYANDRIA; to which this belongs. The Filaments are numerous, as in the Plants of
that diviſion; but they riſe from the receptacle, or head of the Stalk; not from the edges
of the Cup, or body of the Flower.
Science, or hiſtory demand no more on this head : therefore we have opportunity un-
der a favourable inſtance, to trace that great article, the progreſſion of nature, in form-
ing the doubleneſs of Flowers, in a new courſe. We have ſeen ſeveral ways in which
that change is brought about in various kinds; and this will add one more : for tho'
the method be the ſame in its original, it differs greatly, as the effect is wrought from
various parts of Flowers.
In the Tulip, we ſee the Filaments ſpread into Petals, and form the doubleneſs of the
Flower, and from the vaſt number of Filaments in the Anemone, when ſingle, and the
multitude of new Petals in the double one, it would be natural to ſuppoſe they had alſo
the ſame origin in this : But it is much otherwiſe. We open here into a new courſe of
nature ; and the doubleneſs of this Flower, and of fome others of like kind, is form'd
from parts we have not yet feen ſerve that purpoſe. That this new courſe of nature may
be the more clearly underſtood, I have given the Flower of the natural wild Anemone,
native of Ægypt, and other parts of the Eaſt, with thoſe fucceffive forms it wears from
a different culture.
I
The Structure of the common, natural, or ſingle Anemone is this.
At the ſummit of the Stalk, there is a ſlight fleſhy ſwelling of a paler colour : this
is called the receptacle of the Flower; and its ſeveral parts riſe from that receptacle in
the following Order. Firſt, the body of the Flower, compoſed of fix Petals in two
Series, three outer and three inner, as in the Tulip: the three outer ſerve as a Cup, the
three inner being more delicate. Next within theſe, riſe from the ſame receptacle, a
multitude of Filaments crowned with large yellow buttons. The infertion of theſe on
the receptacle, ſhews the Plant to be of the Polyandrous claſs; not of the Icoſandrous.
Above theſe Filaments, the receptacle runs up into a conic form; and is cover'd all the
way with naked Rudiments of Seeds.
When the Flower becomes, by culture, ſemi-double, the three inner Petals form that
doubleneſs, each ſplitting flatwiſe (as the new Petals of a Tulip) into two, or into three ;
and thus the Flower, inſtead of fix, has nine or twelve Petals. But in the compleat
double Anemone, the change is much more wonderful. The outer Petals remain as in
the ſemi-double Flower; the Filaments are converted into peculiar oblong ſubſtances, ac-
quiring a fine colour; and every rudiment of a Seed upon the ſurface of the receptacle,
forms an additional Petal. Theſe make the inner cluſter, and perfect the doubleneſs of the
Flower.
In other kinds, we may promote doubleneſs by the uſe of ſuch manures as peculiarly
ſwell the fleſhy ſubſtance of the Stalk whence the Filaments riſe. In this we are to en-
large the pith or central fubftance : for from that riſe the Rudiments of Seeds. Such a
inanure, and a length of time before the Plant is ſuffer'd to flower, will produce this ele-
gant change.
Anemone foliis radicalibus ternato decompoſitis involucro folioſo.

Z.
1.19
Pl.19
103
Compleate Inemone.

GED
Pool
I


7
Pa20
PL.20
Heroic Peony
"""

20
POLY ANDRIA LINNI.
Η Ε R Ο Ι C Ρ Ι Ο Ν Υ.
PÆ ONIA PROLIFERA.
TH
HIS elegant Flower, which has ſo much the aſpect of a child of culture, came
into my hands the produce of abſolutely favage nature. Greece, and fome parts
of the northern Europe, product that ſimple Male Piony, from which our gardeners have;
in the courſe of many ages, rais’d the vaſt double Flower of the ſame name: but that, with
fome little looſe and caſual variegation in the Petals, has been their utmoſt reach. Here
we behold it, ſtrip'd like a Carnation and proliferous; one flower riſing from the centre
of the other : and this from ſimple nature. Perhaps it is the utmoſt inſtance that has
been, or can be produc'd of her luxuriance. I have nam'd it heroic, as it tranſcends
common nature ; and reminds us of what is called the heroic Style in painting.
The country whence it came was AFRICA ; a Quarter of the globe from which we have
not before receiv'd this Plant : but tho' an AFRICAN, it is not an inhabitant of the parch'd
fands. . Some few miles up the river Senegal there is a large extent of graſs-land, like the
richeſt of our meadows: that river rolls its rapid current through it, and, on the banks,
grow innumerable Pionies, drooping their double and luxuriant Heads toward the water
This was one of them : the Leaves are in nothing different from the common Piony; nor
the Flower, except in elegance.
We fee fome double Flowers in our own meadows : the Lady-ſmock and the Marſh-
marygold are inſtances. So far EUROPE mimicks the garden culture in her wildneſs; but
the luxuriance of a vaſt proliferous Flower, in abſolute free nature, demands a warmer
fun'; and ſeems to claim a place as fingular as that where it was found; an EUROPEAN
meadow under an AFRICAN heat. Gardeners produce, or more properly nature, exube-
rant under their aſſiſtance, ſends up ſometimes proliferous Anemones, Ranunculus's, Roſes,
and ſome other kinds: but even our extream art has never ſhewn a Flower of this enor-
mous ſize, ſo well fed, that another could riſe from its centre.
Proliferous Flowers, in general, have been ſuppos’d to ariſe from a continuation of the
Style of one into another Flower : it is the doctrine of the LINNÆAN ſchool; but it is not
univerſal in the ſchool of nature. The Ranunculus is render'd proliferous by a continua-
tion of the Receptacle into a Stalk, or more properly by the Stalk aſſuming the place of a
Receptacle of Seeds, and puſhing itſelf farther. In this, if the encreaſe depended on the
Stigmata, for there is no Style, there muſt two of theſe ſecondary Flowers have riſen from
the centre of the firſt, for the Piony has two Rudiments of Capſules. But there was no-
thing of it in the preſent inſtance,
The Summit of the natural Stalk form'd a proper Receptacle, as is uſual in this Flower;
but inſtead of a double Rudiment of a Seed-vefſel riſing from the Head of this, the Re-
ceptacle became fimply extended in length, the Petals occupy'd ſo much of it as is uſual,
and that which grew out farther, was cover'd with the ſame green Rind as the proper Stalk;
and was to all intents and purpoſes a real Stalk, ſupporting on its Head another Flower.
"The claſſical character of the Piony cannot be read in the double Flower : but in the
ſingle, a multitude of Filaments growing from a Receptacle, not from a Cup or Petal,
ſhew it one of the Polyandria.
Pæonia foliolis oblongis prolifera.
G

21
POLYANDRIA LINNÆI.
Β Ο Η Ε Α Τ Ε Α.
Τ Η Ε Α Β Ο Η Ε Α.
W
E have queſtion'd whether the Green and Bohea Tea were, or were not the pro-
duce of the fame Shrub: moſt thought they were; their difference being at-
tributed only to the ſtate of growth wherein the Leaves were gather'd; and the various
methods of curing them. I believe it is otherwiſe. Certainly I have received among my
China Plants, two ſpecimens under the name of Tea, which differ obviouſly in Leaf and
Flower. That which I figure here, has ſhorter and darker Leaves, and in each Flower fix
Petals : this, from the colour of the Leaf, I think to be the Bohea. The other has longer
and paler Leaves, and in every Flower nine Petals; that I ſuppoſe to be the Green. Whe-
ther this be the caſe, muſt be found by more experience: and if they really be the produce
of two diſtin& Shrubs, we are yet to learn whether the difference be as ſpecies, or only as
varieties. One thing, beſide the difference of form and colour of the Leaf, ſeem'd, in the
courſe of theſe experiments, to ſhew that they were really the two kinds I have conjectur’d.
The water in which this Specimen was macerated, had the colour and the taſte of genuine
Bohea Tea ; and that which was us'd for the other, had as palpably the proper aſpect of
Green Tea ; only made very ſtrong; and perhaps, colour'd a little from the Bark.
Beſide the greater diſtinctions, there was ſomething in the colour of the Antheræ or
Buttons. They were orange-colour'd in the one, and of a pale yellow in the other. I
fpeak of ſuch as were burſt, for there were ſome unripe ones which were white.
The Claſs to which this and the other belong, is very evident. They have a vaſt mul-
titude of Filaments, and theſe riſe from the Receptacle : therefore the Shrub is of the Po-
lyandrous tribe.
The Cup is ſmall; the Filaments are innumerable: the Seed-veſſel, when perfect, con-
fifts of three parts, in each of which is a ſingle Seed. We have lamented often, that the
Seeds do not come over perfect, and ſound enough to grow when planted here, as many
other of the China ſeeds freely do; and it has been ſuppos’d, the people of that country,
who are celebrated for their cunning, took ſome meaſures to prevent this before they ſuf-
fered the Seeds to be exported. But it is all eaſily reſolv'd into the common ſtate of nature.
Many ſeeds, with us, will not grow, if they be not ſown ſoon after ripeneſs : even the
Acorn, which one would think, at firſt fight, durable ; loſes its power of vegetation in a
very moderate time. The fact is this: thoſe ſeeds which are moſt ſubject to a fermenta-
tion in their own ſubſtance, ſooneſt loſe the power of growth; and this is one of them.
Perhaps a better method of preſerving the ſeeds may anſwer the purpoſe ; and if that
can be done, I believe it will be now effected. A nobleman, whoſe regard to Botany I
have had frequent cauſe to mention in this work, has contriv'd a method, which will, I
think, fucceed.
Since the publication of the firſt edition of this work the Tea-tree has fowered with the
Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND.
Thea floribus hexapetalis.

PL.21.
Beken
Tea

22
4.1)。
Cra
22


Pl.22
Pa, 22
w
Green
Tea.

22
POLTANDRIA LINN,
G RE E N
Τ Ε Α.
THEA
VIRIDI S.
IL
F there were no value in this Shrub, as Tea, its beauty is fufficient to recommend it
to our notice ; and I am in no doubt, but a few years more will add it to our col-
lections. We admire the double bloſſom’d Cherry, and ſome other trees, whoſe Flowers
reſemble thoſe which cover the Green Tea Shrub, but they are inferior to theſe: no white-
neſs can excel that which we ſee in them; and their diſpoſition in little tufts and elegant
looſe cluſters upon the ſummits of the tendereft branches, give the whole Plant a fingu-
lar beauty,
Why I have call’d this the Green Tea, has been ſaid in the preceding chapter: per-
haps it is an error ; but there is an appearance of truth on its fide. Certainly it is Tea 5
and the aſpect differs from that of the more duſky Plant preceding. Linnæus ſaw in
various parcels of Tea, Flowers with fix, and others with nine Petals ; and queſtions
whether they belong’d to the fame Species, or to two diſtinct ones. Theſe ſpecimens
ſhewed the ſame variety of Flowers, and ſhewed them growing on boughs; whoſe Leaves
were alſo different: the eye here ſeems to have anſwer'd that queſtion; and the taſte con-
firm'd its judgment: and in his lateſt work that excellent Author has adopted my
opinion.
tance.
'Tis certain the Chrnese gather the Bohea and the Green Tea at different periods of
growth : and they have many other particularities relating to an article of ſuch impor-
But tho' the accounts of theſe led EUROPEANS to believe the fame Shrub pro-
duc'd both; they did not fairly induce that opinion. It may be true; that Bohea Tea
is gather'd at one period of growth; and Green Tea at another : and yet it may be true
alſo, that they are ſeparate Shrubs which produce them. The time of gathering would
make ſome difference if they were the Leaves of the fame Species; but this does not
prove that they are ſo : nor has any writer of ſufficient accuracy for the obſervation faid
it.
The Flowers have not at all the taſte or flavour of the Leaf. They are harſh, rough,
and very pleaſant: the buds, before they open, have indeed a high and very fine flavour,
like that of the fineſt Green Tea, but more delicate.
We are not to wonder, that the Seeds brought over into Europe do not grow; for
it is an obfervation of the honeſt KÆMPfer, who had ſeen the culture of the Shrub in
Japan, that even there, not above two in ten ſucceeded when they were fown for raiſing
the plant for uſe. He attributes this to an oily matter in them, which grows quickly
rancid. How philoſophical this ſolution may be, I ſhall not take upon me to deter-
mine ; but doubtleſs it is owing to ſome change wrought in the ſubſtance of the Seed
itſelf, that it is ſo apt to fail. If any thing can prevent this, and preſerve it during
ſo long a voyage, probably it will be now found.
4
Thea Horibus enneapetalis.

23
MONADELPHIA LINNÉT.
FRAGRANT HIBISCUS.
HIBISCUS A BELMOSCHUS:
TH
HIS robuſt Plant has every thing except colour to recommend it to the notice
of thoſe who value the Exotic Botany : but nature, to make amends for what ſhe
has with-held in that reſpect, has given it fragrance; an article of value deny'd to all
the others of its kind. This is not in its Flower, or at beſt, it is but faintly perceiv’d
there; but is perfect in the Seeds : they have the ſweetneſs of mulk without that faint-
neſs, which attends the animal perfume. This was ſeldom perceiv’d more delicately than
in the Seeds which accompany'd the ſpecimen from which the preſent figure is taken :
and they preſerv'd their vegetative power as ſtrongly as their fcent; for ſcarce any of them
faild. They have produced a multitude of the Plants.
All that could well be given a Plant in form, nature has beſtow'd on this: the
whole outline of the figure is in its common growth, great and graceful; the parts are
all vaſt, and the aſpect is at once wild and noble. The form of the leaf, pentangular
in the upper part, and toward the ground heptangular, rough, ſerrated, and with irre-
gular points, is much above any of the four elegant flower'd kinds which follow; and tho'
the bloom has only a pale yellow for its colour, except the ſmall variation in the eye,
the diſpoſition of the Petals makes great amends ; for ſcarce any kind has them ſo beau-
tifully waved.
It has the double Cup of all the Hibiſci : the outer one has eight Leaves, and the
inner one is entire at the baſe, but divided upwards into five ſegments. The Plant is a
yard high, and from theſe Cups burſt out, at leaſt, as many Flowers as there are Leaves,
in a continu'd long ſucceſſion,
The Filaments appear in a peculiar form, and conſtitute the character of its claſs
which we have not before had occaſion to name, and which will be ſeen yet more dif-
tinaly in the following Plant. Their number has no place in this peculiar character, it
is their arrangement. They are united at their baſes, ſo as to form one regular column,
or tubular body, thro' the hollow of which, runs a ſtyle, whoſe five heads, or ftigmata,
ſhew themſelves beyond the extremity of the tube. The whole under part of the Fila-
ments, indeed, in a manner, their whole bodies are thus united into one uniform ſub-
ſtance; but their extream points are looſe, and ſeem ſo many ſhort Filaments themſelves,
riſing from the head of the Tube, and ſupporting their Antheræ. This union of the
Filaments conſtitutes the character of the claſs. As they form only one body, the term
is Monadelphia. The common Mallow, and all its kind, have the ſame conformation,
and are of the fame claſs. We ſhall illuſtrate this in ſome ſucceeding inſtances; and
ſhall afterwards have opportunity to fhew what are thoſe claſſes whoſe conſtitution depends
upon
this kind of union in the filaments ; but where they form more than one body.
This Plant is a native of the East and West INDIES, of the BRASILS, and of SURINAM,
and is well known in Egypt: it is a wild Plant alſo in CHINA, whence this ſpecimen came.
Hibiſcus foliis fub-peltato-cordatis feptemangularibus ferratis hifpidis.
Abelmoſch Authorum.

P4,23,
Pa. 28
MV 77
جدد
e Husk Hibiscus.

68060
66666
250
Feate


Crimson Hibiscus .

24
MONADELPHIA LINN.
CRIMSON HIBISCU S.
HIBISCUS ROSA SINENS I S.
E are ſtill within the limits of the Monadelphous Clafs; and we have here a Plant;
which, beſide its peculiar beauty, has the accidental merit of fhewing the cha-
racter of that Claſs very diſtinály. The Column into which the Filaments unite in all the
Monadelphous Plants is in fome, ſhort, and bury'd in the Flower: in that caſe only,
the ſearching eye of the Botaniſt diſcovers it. Here it runs out a vaſt length from the
Petals; and he muſt have no eye, nor no attention, who does not look on it aš fomething
ſingular. The Ends of the Filaments are looſe in this as in the other ; but their whole
length befide, forms together this long and ſlender Column.
The Chinese have four Plants of the Hibiſcus kind, which they cultivate in their Gar-
dens; and to which we give the very improper name of China Roses. Two are fingle,
and two double. I was fo happy to receive ſpecimens of them all; and they follow
here : this being the firſt of them. They are diſtinguiſhed by their Leaves ; and tho'
calld four, they are properly no more than two fpecies, and their two varieties from
culture : this, and its double ſtate, are diſtinguiſh'd by having ſimple Leaves ; the other
two, by their being palmated, or broad like a hand and divided, tho' not deeply, in the
manner of fingers. We have begun to get them into our collections, and probably the
Seeds of theſe will add to the number : there are ſeveral robuſt Plants of the palmated
kind at Mr. Lee's, rais'd from the Seed that came over with theſe ſpecimens; and it is
probable ſome are the ſingle, ſome the double kind.
This Shrub is twelve feet high, and naturally luxuriant in Branches; the Leaves are of a
very delicate green, and their ſhape is not unhandſome. The Flowers are vaft, and in their
colour baffle the faint tincts of art; it is a full and very perfect crimſon, and as the light
plays variouſly upon it, the fine tinct gives a thouſand elegant ſhades. This account came
with the ſpecimen, and he who wrote it, cannot be ſuſpected of want either of accuracy or
truth: we ſhould have been happy if his obſervations had extended farther.
It is a Hedge-ſhrub in CHINA ; and they admit it ſometimes into the wild parts of their
gardens, but it is in the following ſtate they plant it in the moſt conſpicuous places. The
ſeaſon of flowering returns twice in the year, when wild; the beginning of Summer and
late in Autumn : but by their eaſy management of it in Gardens, taking off the Flowers,
without ſuffering any to remain for Seed, they keep it in full bloom all the Summer. The
colour of the Flower upon the dry'd ſpecimen, confirms the account of its luſtre when freſh;
and perhaps the double kind, tho' full of beauty in its way, is hardly fuperior to it.
The Seeds which came with this have not yet ſhown their Shoot, tho' ſown with the
others.
Hibiſcus foliis ovatis acuminatis ſerratis glabris, caule arboreo.
Single China Roſe.
H

25
MONADELPHIA LINNEI.
DOUBLE CRIMSON HIBISCUS
HIBISCUS ROSA SINENSIS FLORE PLENO.
T
HIS elegant Shrub owes its beauty, as well as ſingularity, to the form and fullneſs
of the Bloom ; for nature has retrench'd ſomething from the high crimſon which
the Flower ſhews in its ſingle ſtate. This is a produce of the gardener's art from the
pre-
ceding Plant; and, as in ſome other inſtances, the Chinese gardeners tell us, they can
bring on the change at pleaſure: but till they name the means, we have a right to doubt
them.
The Shrub which yields theſe double Flowers, is ſcarce of half the heighth of that which
has them ſingle. It forms a thicker Head, and the weak Branches are thus ſupported in
a length, they would not otherwiſe bear. It flowers all the year, for no Seed ripens on it:
and they are careful to preſerve the ſtrength of the Plant, by adding manure to the earth
about its roots, and frequently cropping the Flowers, and the extream Branches.
The ſpecimen I received, came ſo perfect, that I had an eaſy and very favourable oppor-
tunity of tracing the courſe of nature in doubling the Flower. This was an article of the
more curioſity, becauſe the Monadelphous Tribe have the Parts on which doubleneſs de-
pends, arrang'd in a peculiar manner.
On comparing together the ſingle and double Flower, I could perceive that the five
outer Petals of the double were the ſame with thoſe of which the fingle Flower was com-
poſed entirely; only they are, in this, ſmaller and more curld.
On laying open the
double Flower, its whole length, I could perceive that the Tube or Column, which ſtands
naked in the centre of the ſingle Flower, was continu'd along the middle of this, tho' in
a very unequal manner, and bury'd by the exuberant new Petals.
the
new
The conſtruction of the double Flower in this, was therefore inſtituted by nature on the
ſame principle, and from the ſame Parts with that of the Tulip, Colchicum, and Glorioſa;
namely, from the Filaments only: as thoſe Filaments were in theſe Plants looſe ;
Petals took their origination from the Baſe of the Flower ; but in this ſpecies, thoſe parts
being united into a long Tube, the additional Petals roſe from the ſurface of that Tube at
different heights.
This explains the peculiar ſhape of the Flower of this Hibiſcus, which is not as
the
ge-
nerality of others round; but conic, oblong, and growing ſmaller to the top from a broad
Baſe. The extream length of the tubular Congeries of Filaments in the ſingle Flower,
occaſions this; for it is the very Body of that Tube which breaks off into Petals and fills
пр
the Flower. The largeſt of theſe are thoſe neareſt the Baſe, and they are the moſt
perfect: the others, as they riſe higher, are ſmaller, and they are more wav’d and curld.
The Antheræ were quite obliterated in the new Petals of this Flower, for the doubleneſs
was perfect; but in the double Hibiſcus following, I could perceive ſome remains of them.
This Shrub agrees with the Roſeate Nyctanthes, in being ſmaller than that which bears
the ſingle Flower ; confirming that Syſtem.
Hibiſcus foliis ovatis acuminatis ferratis, caule arboreo, flore pleno.
Double China Roſe.

Pa, 25
PL.25
Double Gimson Hibiscus

C.
06
sor

1

---
Mutable Hibiscus .

26
MONADLPEHIA LINNÆT.
M U TABLE
HIBISCU S.
HIBISCUS
MU TA BIL I S.
T*
HE Monadelphia abound in beauty as the Hexandria do; and they are claſſes
worthy of a particular regard from all who ſtudy vegetable nature.
This Plant,
and the ſucceeding double Öne, its offspring, would be ſufficient proof of it, had not
the preceding three laid in their claim before. The Leaf, the Flower, and the general
growth in this Species are all elegant; and there is, beſide, a variety in the colouring
of the bloom according to its age, which has a moſt romantick, as well as ſingular ap-
pearance.
We ſee in EUROPEAN Plants, Flowers differently colour'd, though the
Species be the fame: thus we have blue Campanulas and white ones, and a vaſt variety
beſide: we alſo ſee in ſome of our Garden Plants, a change of colour on the ſame
Stem; but this is flight in compariſon of the peculiar and ſtriking variation feen in the
Flowers of this Hibiſcus: they vary every hour as they ſtand upon the Shrub: and the
name Mutable was given it for this reaſon
At the firſt opening they are very pale ; the tinct is crimſon, but it is ſo watery in
that ſtate of the Flower, that it amounts, at the utmoſt, to nothing more than what
we call a fleſh-colour : it is that ſort of bluſh we ſee upon ſome of the naturally white
Hyacinths, and on the bloſſoms of the double bramble. When a Flower has ftood to
be fully open, it glows with a ſtronger tinct ; from this time it becomes more and more
red, till it approaches to decay; and then there is ſeen in it a colour deeper than ever,
but leſs elegant.
'Tis common to ſee a Shrub, of twelve feet higli, ſpread out into a head of near as
much diameter, and cover'd in a manner with theſe vaſt Flowers, as thick and frequent
as the Leaves ; ſome almoſt white, and others in all the degrees of colouring, from the
lighteſt bluſh, to that obſcure crimſon in which they fade and periſh.
The whole Shrub is beautiful, the Leaves are large and of a downý ſoftneſs like
velvet : the extream branches have the fame foft covering ; and the innumerable buds,
on theſe, appear a great article of its beauty: they have the double Cup, as all the
Hibiſci, and they have this ting’d variouſly with brown, or red mix'd with a delicate green.
The characters of this Flower are the ſame as in the preceding, and they are expreſs’d
with ſufficient plain neſs. The numerous buttons hang upon very ſhort, looſe ends of
Filaments, whoſe bodies grow together, into a Tube or column, thicker and ſliorter than
in the fingle kind laſt nam’d, but pierc'd in the ſame manner by a ſtyle, whoſe five heads
are no ill grace in the ſingle Flower. It ſhews the claſs to be the Monadelphia.
This is a Weed in CHINA. It grows in waſte grounds, and over-runs whole acres.
They admit it ſometimes into the remote and wild parts of their gardens : but 'tis the fol-
lowing ſtate of it, which they admire and cultivate.
Hibiſcus foliis cordato-quinquangularibus, obſolere ſerratis, caule arboreo.
Palmated China Roſe,

27
MONADELPHIA LINNÆI.
DOUBLE MUT ABLE HIBISCUS.
HIBISCUS MUTABILIS FLORE PLEN O.
HIS is the Shrub the Chinese value, at that extream rate we are told; and is,
what was firſt, and originally called, by our people, the China Rose; tho' the
double crimſon was firſt feen in Europe,
THE
The Chinese plant this every where before their doors, and about their pavillions ;
they raiſe it in pots of their own Porcelain, and nurſe it as our Floriſts do their Auriculas
and Carnations. They give its figure upon all their ornamental works, paper, varniſh,
and their peculiar ware. Every place, and every thing is full of it among them.
Thoſe who ſaw the ſmall Sprig which came over to me, loaded with three Flowers and
as many buds, varied with ſuch a wonderful elegance of colouring, could not wonder at
the eſtimation wherein theſe people hold the Plant. 'Tis certain, we have nothing that
comes near it. The ſhape, the colour, and the diſpoſition of the Petals, exceed whatever
we are able to raiſe of any kind: and additionally to this, it is larger than almoſt any other
Flower. It covers the whole Shrub which produces it for many months in a wonderful
profuſion; and it has all the change of colour juſt nam'd in the ſingle kind.
The Shrub is ſmaller than in that Plant, but yet is of fufficient ſtature: nature ſeems
to have been careful when ſhe beſtowed ſuch elegance upon the Flowers, not to have
rais’d them above the level of the eyes which ſhould behold them.
Having the ſame happy opportunity of examining together the ſingle and double
Flower in this, as in the preceding Species, it was not difficult for me to diſcover the
courſe wherein nature had proceeded to form the additional Petals. It was the ſame
exactly, as in that. The body of the column loſt itſelf in the double Flower in the
Baſes of a vaſt multiplicity of Petals : but as that part in the fingle bloom of this Species
is not long as in the other, the Flower, when double, does not acquire any thing of
that form ; but is as roſes, and other of the large double Flowers, nearly globular.
When the Bud burſts, to let this vaſt Flower forth, the firſt appearance ſhews it nearly
white : ’tis greeniſh toward the bottom, that is, the Baſes of the ſeveral diviſions are
ting’d a little with that colour, which ſhews as fingular and beautiful in them, as we
fometimes fee it in the fine Anemones. The body of the Flower reſembles a white and
very thin ſilk, gloffy and wonderfully delicate ; and the extream part, form'd of the
edges of the Petals, has a line of a Straw's Breadth, or ſomewhat more, of crimſon.
As the Flower opens, this colour ſpreads down the ſeveral Petals, and becomes ſtronger,
ſo that a moderately open’d Flower, is white and red, mix'd in an equal quantity, and
forming a moſt pleaſing variety.
From this time, the red ſpreads farther, and becomes more glowing; till in the laſt
ſtage of all, which borders on decay, the whole body of the Flower is crimſon.
As the Shrub is cover'd thick with Flowers, and ſhews them at once in all theſe
varieties of colouring, and in a thouſand gradations between, all elegant, there cannot be
conceiv'd in vegetable nature, a fight more pleaſing, or more wonderful.
Double palmated China Roſe.
b

Pa,
PI

مر


P1.28
Pa, 28
Blood-staind Hypericum.

28
POLYADELPHIA LINNÆI.
BLOOD STAIN'D HYPERICUM.
H Y P E RI CU M M O N O G Y NUM.
TH
HE Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND, born to improve as well as patronize the ſcience,
added this elegant Plant to the EUROPEAN Botany. This Nobleman firſt rais’d it
here from Seeds obtain'd from China, a very few years ſince; and from his ſtore, all
the curious gardens now are ſtocked with it. Tho' a native of the East, it bears the
open
air with us, and flowers all Summer : our Winters are too ſharp for its longer continuance
in that ſtate, but in any part of Europe, a few degrees more ſouth, it will doubtleſs live
and flower all the year. With us only the ſuperficies dies in Winter ; the Root remains,
and ſends up a new Shrub early the following Spring.
'Tis a yard high: firm in the Stem, and variouſly branch’d: it forms a fine wild Shrub
for Clumps in gardens, and its Flowers have an uncommon beauty ; both in the Bud,
and when full blown.
The Buds are very large, and tho' their general colour be yellow, they are always ſtain'd
in irregular ſtreaks and oblong Blotches, with an abſolute blood-red.
When the Flower opens, the whole inner Surface is a fine yellow; but behind, this
ſtaining of the Bud preſerves itſelf in all its luftre: and as the Flowers droop or bend ac-
cidentally, or as the winds move them, theſe crimſon ftains are ſeen upon the back, and
make a fine variety.
The Stem is cover'd with a brown, rough Bark, and often from its Ridges has a ſquare
aſpect : the Leaves are firm, and tho' there be ſome ſtiffneſs in the manner of their growth,
it is fingular, and upon the whole not unpleaſing. They are not pierc’d with thoſe ſmall
holes which we ſee in the Leaves of common Hypericum, when held up to the light.
The Filaments are numerous in this Flower, but they are collected by nature into five
ſeparate Cluſters: this ſhews the claſs to which the Plant belongs, the POLYADELPHIA.
The number of theſe arrangements, into which the Flaments are join’d, is not effential,
only it muſt be more than two. This diſpoſition of the Filaments is not eaſily ſeen in the
entire Flower, becauſe thoſe of each arrangement cohere only at their Baſes; but if they
be pulld out of the Flower, they come away always in theſe five Cluſters ; and the Baſe
of each Cluſter is ſomething more than an union of ſo many Filaments; there is a ſolid,
oblong, Aeſhy ſubſtance, from which they take their riſe.
Nature has been very ſparing of the Polyadelphous Plants; beſides the Hypericums and
Afcyrums, we know only the Cocoa, and the Orange kind.
Among the Hypericums, fome have five Styles, ſome three, and others two. This has
been ſuppoſed to have only one : but the Summit of that one is plainly divided into five;
and the body of the Style is form’d of the continuations of theſe five diſtinct Parts; only
cover'd by one flight Membrane, and terminating in five Cells, in the Seed-veſſel.
Hypericum floribus monogynis; ftaminibus corolla longioribus ; calycibus coloratis; caule fruticofo.
1

29
SYNGENESIA LINNÆ1.
Y E L L O W SC A L E W OR T.
ZINNIA PAUCIFLORA.
I
Had the good fortune in this inſtance to add a new Genus to the preſent Stores of Bo-
tany: and many have wonder'd that I have not follow'd the cuſtom of the modern
writers, and nam'd it from my Patron; or from ſome friend who could return the com-
pliment. But in this, I think, the antients were much wiſer than we. A name is uſeful
when it conveys ſome idea of the Plant: I therefore call'd this LEPIA. The Scales
of the Cup are its moſt obvious diſtinction from all others: and that word expreſſes it. I
have comply'd ſo far with cuſtom, as to deduce it from the Greek ; but in the common
practice of naming Plants from men, the folly is extream, and the flattery fulſome. All
laugh to hear a Tulip call’d the King of Prussia, or an Auricula Prince FERDINAND.
Why is the ridicule leſs to name other Plants Mitchella, or Milleria ; Cateſbea, or Collin-
ſonia ? The Botaniſt that can't preſerve his name by better marks, does not deſerve that it
ſhould be remember'd.
Singularity is the beſt claim this Plant has to our regard; for it cannot boaſt much
beauty. A ſpecimen of it came with my other China Plants and Seeds; but the preſent
Figure is taken from a growing Plant produc'd from thoſe Seeds in ENGLAND. Mr. LEE
of HAMMERSMITH, a very excellent gardener, rais'd it.
The height is near three feet; the aſpect of the Plant, rough and inelegant. The Stalk
is firm, and the Leaves are hard. The Flowers are very numerous and conſiderably large,
and they are very laſting. In this Plant the firſt Flower attain’d a perfection, none of the
reft reach'd ; and remain'd on the Plant ſeveral weeks.
The radiated Syngeneſious Plants, to which this belongs, are different from all others.
Each Flower conſiſts of many tubular Floſcules, or little Flowers in the diſk, and many
fiat ones at the Verge making the Rays; but the character of the Claſs is taken from a
leffer mark. The Filaments in each little Flower are five, and their Buttons unite into
one body. In ſome they ſtand out far beyond the Flower; in this they are leſs conſpicuous.
In the midſt of theſe five Filaments is a Style, divided into two parts at the Top, and in
the Boſom of each Ray is alſo a Style; but there are no Filaments.
The Flower of the Lepia is conſtructed thus : the Cup is long and hard, and is com-
pos’d of broad hollow Scales; each ſwelling forwards, and crown'd with a rounded Rim
of a dry and more delicate ſubſtance. The Rays are female Floſcules: each riſes from the
Head of Seed; it has in its Bofom a Style, and is divided by three Dents at the end. The
tubular Floſcules riſe in a conic Head which is form’d of young Seeds, cover'd with light
Films and crown'd each with two Thorns : in the Hollow, between theſe, reſts the Rudi-
ment of the Style. Theſe Parts I have figur'd ſeparately; together with a Section of the
principal Flower, to ſhew the conic Receptacle ; and of an imperfect Flower exhibiting
the difference of the Cup. The tubular Floſcule entire is alſo ſhewn fix'd at the Head of
the Seed, diveſted of its ſhelly Coat.
The Plant has been thought a Bidens; but the ſcaly Cup and conic Receptacle, ſhew
their miſtake who held that opinion. It is diſtinct from all others : but errors in this Claſs
are more pardonable than in any other, for it is the moſt obſcure of all.
Since the publication of the firſt edition of this work, Linnæus ſaw the Plant and nam'd
it Zinnia. Perhaps my name was fitter, but uniformity is ſo much better than ſtrict
propriety in this article, that I willingly ſubſcribe to the Linnæan name.
Zinnia floribus feffilibus.

1220
P1.29.
rin
med
Lepia.

S8
20
1923


PL30.
서 ​30
- ON CA
ACCEL
201
Ambrosial Aster:

30
SYNGENESIA LINNÆI.
ΤΗ
A M BROS I AL A S T E R.
ASTER GRANDIFLORU S.
HIS ſpecious Aſter has been ſome time familiar with us fingle; but I have not ſeen it
double till the preſent year. In any ſtate it is a fingular and very elegant Plant:
but the double exceeds the common ſtate of the Flower in this, as much as in the famous,
and now common, China After. The Stem is robuſt and a yard high; the branches are
innumerable ; and the ſmall curl'd Leaves run up into the Cup. As the progreſſion
from the ſingle to the perfectly double Flower has been this year compleated under my
eye, I ſhall take this opportunity of explaining the manner wherein the Flowers of
Syngeneſious Plants are doubled; ſince it is altogether different from the courſe wherein
nature purſues the ſame purpoſe in the other Genera. The Flowers in this Species are
very laſting, whence I have nam’d the Plant Ambrofial, immortal.
The radiated Syngeneſious Flowers we ſee are complex: each is form’d of
many
leffer
Flowers or Floſcules, and theſe are of two kinds; thoſe are tubular and ſhort which form
the diſk of the general Flower, and thoſe long and flat which make the rim. In this
inſtance they differ alſo in colour, thoſe of the diſk being yellow, and thoſe of the rim pur-
ple: theſe ſeveral Floſcules have been fuppoſed perfectly diftinct; but we ſhall ſee they are
fo nearly ally'd, that nature, in a ſtate of luxuriance, converts eaſily the one into the
other. In this plant the tubular Floſcules are thus form’d. Each is made of one yel-
low Petal fix'd upon the rudiment of a Seed ; and cut at the ſummit into five ſmall feg-
ments. The rays riſe in the fame manner, each from the head of a Seed, and theſe
have alſo a tubular yellow baſe, tho' it has not been regarded; which, inſtead of divid-
ing at the top, into five ſegments, opens, becomes lengthen’d, and changes colour ; ſo
that it is continued into a ray or Alat Petal; whoſe baſe is hollow. In this Floſcule is a
ſtyle, as in the others ; but there are no Filaments. .
The courſe by which nature forms a double Flower in this Plant, is by giving more
growth to the tubular Floſcules, and thus they are converted into rays. I have expreſs’d
in ſeparate figures, all the gradation. The tubulated yellow baſe is the fame in theſe
Flofcules, and in the rays; and the change is thus brought on. Firſt, one of the five
ſegments, of a yellow tubular Flofcule, grows longer than the others : in the next ſtage,
it joins the two which are next it, to its own body; and growing yet longer, there is
one long ſegment, and two ſhort ones : the long one alſo begins toward its top to aſſume
the purple colour of a ray: the next ſtage obliterates the two ſegments which were left in
the former ; and the Floſcule is now tubular at the baſe, with a plain, long, and partly
flat body. One ſtage more perfects the doubleneſs: for this flat part growing more in
length, and acquiring a full purple colour, becomes a perfect ray. The Filaments in this
caſe, fade for want of nouriſhment, but the ſtyle remains; and theſe rays of the centre
become the ſame entirely with thoſe of the verge.
Thús is the Flower of the After doubled : but as there yet remain uſually fome perfect
tubular Flofcules in the middle, tho they are hid by theſe numerous rays, part of which
fall over them; the double Flower itſelf can therefore ripen Seeds. This is not peculiar
to the preſent Plant, the double China Aſter is form'd in the ſame manner, and alſo ripens
Seeds.
ز
After caule corymboſo ; foliis lanceolatis, reflexis; Aoribus folitariis ; calycibus patulis.
4

31
GYNANDRIA LINNÆI.
TRANSCENDENT EPIDENDRUM.
EPIDENDRUM FLOS
A E RIS.
A
LL things conſpire, which can be valuable in a Plant, to recommend this to our
regard ; and eſtabliſh its juſt title to the name Tranſcendent. We admire ſome
for colour, others for ſmell ; ſome for the pleaſing wildneſs of their growth, and many
for their vaſt and numerous Flowers : this has all. Its height is determin'd only by that
of the tree on which it climbs; for like our Ivy, it takes hold of ſome tree, winding its
tough Stalk round the trunk, and ſcattering its diviſions among the branches. The Plant
from whence the ſpecimen was taken, cover'd a tree equal to our talleſt Elms, and
many
hundred Flowers were open upon it together.
The Leaves are not without their beauty, for they play in many undulations, and have
a fine colour: the Flowers are as fingular as any thing in nature. The CHINESE, from
their figure, give the Plant a name which fignifies the Scorpion Flower; for they ſuppoſe
a reſemblance of a head, a body, and four legs: and they are ſo indifferent naturaliſts,
they never think of the abſurdity of a four-ley'd Scorpion.
The colour of the Flowers is yellow in the ground, and they are clouded and ſpotted
variouſly with a fine deep crimſon. The Petals turn back at the ſides and ends ; other--
wiſe the body of the Flower would be much fuller, and would appear larger. They
have the fragrance of the animal perfumes : the ſcent is ſuch as an artful perſon might
produce from a mixture of muſk and civet, where neither was predominant, nor the
whole ſo ſtrong as to be offenſive.
The Flower has no Cup: it is plac'd naked upon the Rudiment of the fruit; which
is long and lightly furrow'd. Its body is compoſed of five diſtinct and wide expanded
Petals. In the centre, where Filaments, and a Style might be expected, is plac'd a fingu-
lar body, a Nectarium, form’d of four pieces. Three of theſe are flat, the fourth, or
uppermoſt, is thick and hollow; and theſe all unite at their baſes in a tubular body, which
takes its origin from the very head of the young fruit. Within the hollow part of the
Nectarium riſes the ſtyle, and upon that are fix'd the Anthere. They are two, and they
thort Filaments. The fruit which follows, is a long fleſhy pod like the com-
have very
mon Vanilla,
The characters of a claſs, different from all thoſe we have before nam’d, appear in this
Flower : it is that of the Gynandria ; which have their name from the peculiar ſituation
of the male parts upon the female: the buttons growing upon the ſtyle.
'Tis ſingular that the fine ſcent of this Flower refides in the Nectarium, and the Petal
to which that principally adheres ; which is that ſuppoſed to repreſent the body of the
Scorpion. It is ſtrongeſt when the Flower juſt opens, and grows weaker from that time,
but the profuſion of bloom makes this leſs regarded on the Plant.
Epidendrum caule adſcendente tereti ſubramoſo"; foliis lanceolatis ; petalis linearibus obtuſis.
The Scorpion Flower.

Pasl
Pl.31.
Transcendenth Epidendrum.

है
G5666

GO
60

Pa.32
PLA
न
COD
(CDO
ब
Coos
polo
Zir
CODECE
SECU
Golden Momordica

32
MONOECIA LINNÆI.
G 0 L D E N M 0 M 0 R DI C A.
M O M O R D ICA BA L S A M IN A.
TH
HIS is another of thoſe climbing Plants of the Chinese, which in their native
wildneſs cover trees. The Fruit is the moſt ſtriking part ; large, irregularly rais’d
in Tubercles ; and of a golden yellow. This is its firſt ſtate, and in this 'tis very beau-
tiful; but when it burſts with extream ripenefs, and ſhews the inner Coat, there is a new
ſcene of wonder : the crimſon upon that is much more ſtriking than the rich colour of the
natural outſide ; and the variety the white Seeds form, adds to the general beauty: they
ſeem ſo many crimſon lumps under the Skin, while they are cover’d by it, as they are in a
very peculiar way originally: but when that burſts, and lets them out, they are like ſnow.
The Plant is weak, and always gets ſupport : but like the preceding, when it has once
faſten'd on a tree, it climbs to the full height of it ; and covers all its Branches. The ex-
tream ends of the Stalks, after this, hang down partly by their own weakneſs, and partly
by the weight of the fruit : and as this is produc'd in vaſt profuſion, the wind blowing the
Branches one againſt another, ſtrikes theſe together in a wild and very whimſical manner.
Nature, perhaps, ordain'd this to favour the burſting of the Fruit for the ſake of the Seeds
being diſcharg’d; for they are ſo firm in their ſubſtance, that it would be a great while
before they open'd otherwiſe.
The Flowers, which cover this Plant in great profuſion, are of two kinds; and they
lead us to another clafs in the Sexual Syſtem. They might appear all alike to an incurious
eye, but when their inner part is examin’d, we find in ſome the male Organs of Fructifi-
cation only; and in others only the female : 'tis thus in Melons, and a multitude of other
Plants; and as in thoſe kinds, ſo in the preſent, the firſt mention’d, or male Flowers fall
off without any farther uſe; the female only being ſucceeded by Fruit.
The male and female Flowers have equally a ſmall Cup cut into five Segments; and one
of them, as well as the other, has five Petals, which grow to, or riſe from this Cup. In
the male Flower the Filaments are three; they are very ſhort, and each ſupports its proper
Button : but theſe are not alike; for two of them are fplit at the end and have an appen-
dage on each ſide, and the third has only one of theſe appendages.
In the female Flower there are the Rudiments of three Filaments, but there are no But-
tons upon them. There riſes in the centre a Column or Style with three Heads, and under
the Flower is the Rudiment of a Fruit, which afterwards ripens to the form here figur’d.
In the generality of Plants, the Filaments and Style are plac'd in the ſame Flower ;
and in thoſe caſes the claſſes are characteris’d from the number, and inſertion, or propor-
tion of thoſe parts. In this and many others they are in ſeparate Flowers; but thoſe be-
ing upon the ſame Plant, they are call’d Monoecia : in others yet, the male Flowers grow
upon
diſtinct Plants from the female, tho’ of the fame Species; as in Hemp, Spinach, and
the like; and theſe are call’d therefore Dioecia.
There is not a more ſingular Plant than this, or more worth culture in the whole Mo-
noecious Clafs.
Momordica pomis angulatis tuberculatis; foliis villoſis longitudinaliter palmatis.
Indian Balſam Apple.
K

33
DioeciA LINNÆI.
SPIRAL VA L LIS NER I A.
VA L L I S N E RIA SPIRA L I S.
I
Had occaſion to mention, in the laſt page, thoſe vegetables which have the male and
female Flower, not only diſtinct in themſelves, but placed upon ſeparate Plants. This
Valliſneria is an inſtance; nor is it poſſible for nature to produce one more wonderful.
The Flowers of the two ſexes are not only diſtinct, but they are unlike to one another ;
nor is any thing ſo ſtrange as the method purſu'd by nature to bring the parts together,
for the propagation of the Plant: the male Flowers growing under water at a great depth,
and upon ſhort foot talks ; the female having very long and wonderful ones, and floating
on the ſurface.
The whole account, as given by accurate writers, ſeems yet ſcarce credible; and LIN-
Næus laments that he has not ſeen the Flowers. I obtain’d the ſpecimen from which this
drawing is made from Italy, by the favour of Mr. BROMFIELD, the Princeſſes ſurgeon ;
whoſe intereſt there procur'd me the perfect Plant and all its parts.
It takes root always at the bottoms of ditches of three or four feet deep; and whether
the ſhoot be male or female cannot be known till the time of flowering: the Root and
Leaves being perfectly alike in both. The Root is fibrous, and the Leaves are very long and
narrow : their colour is a freſh green, and they play about variouſly with the courſe of the
Water.
At the flowering ſeaſon, the male and female ſhoot up their Stalks together. The male
Stem is moſt inconſiderable, 'tis very ſhort, and has a Spike of little Flowers, whitiſh and
cut into three parts, and in the centre of each of theſe are two ſhort Filaments, crown'd
with Buttons.
The female Plant fends up its Stalk even to the Surface of the water : and by a pecu-
liar mechaniſm, always lays the Flower which terminates it, flat upon that ſurface ; open
to the air. The mechaniſm is this : the Stalk is twiſted in a ſpiral form; and while the
Flower is but in Bud, the ſeveral convolutions are apply'd cloſe together ; ſo that it is very
ſhort. When the Flower is ready to open, the ſpiral Coil unwinds itſelf, and the burſting
Bud is laid upon the ſurface : there the fun warms it, and the Flower is open’d perfectly.
If the water be within the influence of tides, or by any other accident is at times deeper
and ſhallower, the ſpiral form of the Stalk winds or unwinds itſelf juſt as much as is ne-
ceffary to keep the Flower upon the level top of the water. This is needful for the im-
pregnation of the Seeds ; which is indeed perform’d in a manner altogether amazing.
When the male Flowers are ready to burſt, they ſeparate themſelves from the Stalk;
and being light they riſe to the ſurface of the water : there they float looſe ; and there the
female Flower lies upon the ſame level ready to receive the duft from their Buttons.
the winds, or current throw the male Flowers about, ſome of them get at the female, and
thus the Seed-vefſel which follows that Flower is impregnated.
Nothing in nature is more ſtrange than this production of two kinds of Plants, ſo far
as the Flowers are concern’d, from the fame Seed : for the male Valliſneria riſes from the
Seed of the female Plant as well as the female ; and ſo it is throughout this claſs.
As
Valliſneria Linn.
Valliſneria et Valliſnerioides Micheli.

Fa. 33
P1.33
oop
102)
Ucellececa
Loom000
OOD
Spiral
Vallisneria
VA



P2.34
PC.34
7
1
TH
Crimson Fig
.
0340
OC

34
POLYGAMIA LINN2I.
C R I M S O N
M S O N F 1 G.
FICUS BEN G H A L E NS I S.
HE ſhape as well as colour of this Fig ate pleaſing: it is a perfect globe, and wheti
full ripend in its native climate; it glows throughout, upon the ſurface, and
within with the moſt perfect crimſon
TH
The tree grows to five and twenty feet in height; but is a weak and ill ſhap'd one ;
always the better for ſupport; and the more luxuriant: The Roots are cover'd with a
purple Bark; and the fame colour, tho’ it be loft upon the Stem, appears upon
the
young Shoots, above the inſertions of the Footſtalks of the Leaves ; and all about the
fruit.
From various parts of the trunk, and of the drooping branches, where they are
within the reach of the moiſt exhalations of the ground, there grow out certain threads,
which, by degrees, lengthening and acquiring more thickneſs, hang at laſt to the ground,
and pierce it, in the manner of natural Roots produc'd below the ſurface: The world
is well acquainted, that there is a Fig-tree, whoſe Branches droop to the earth, and there
take Root again. It is a property common alſo to our bramble of the hedges, and many
other kinds, wherein it has paſs’d unregarded : but this way of producing Roots in the
open air, tho' leſs attended to, is really more fingular.
The Bark of the Trunk is of a pale browniſh grey: the Branches are in a manner
jointed at ſmall diſtances; and from every joint riſes a ſingle Leaf ſupported on a thick,
firm Footſtalk. The Leaves themſelves are of a handſome ſhape, oval, undivided, and
obtuſe. They are of a firm ſubſtance, and of a deep and ſtrong green colour, diverſify'd
not inelegantly with bright crimſon veins. Theſe would alone recommend the Shrub to
our regard, if it never fruited with us, for they are very elegant, and they are ever green.
The fruit is nearly of the ſize of our moſt common Fig, but round, and it grows
from the Branches in the ſame manner; no Flower having preceded.
The fructification of the Fig has been, till of very late time, ſo little underſtood, that
the Shrub was clafs’d; even by the beſt writers, along with ferns and moffes among the
Cryptogamia. This was a diſgrace to Botany as a ſcience : but it is fince remov’d. The
Antients knew, that the wild Fig they call’d Caprificus, was neceſſary to the ripening
of fruit upon the garden kind; and this, tho' ſlowly, led the modern Botaniſts to un-
derſtand the courſe of nature: which is thus.
That which we call the fruit of the Fig, is properly a fleſhy, juicy Cup, containing
many Flowers. Theſe in the common Fig-tree are either Hermaphrodite, or Female ;
but
upon the Caprificus, they are Male: and this Caprificus is the fame Species; as is
the male Valliſneria, only differing in the production of fimply male Flowers. This is
the character of the claſs called Polygamia. Without theſe male Flowers, the Seeds of
the common Fig will not well ripen : tho' the fruit, as it is call'd, becomes pulpy, foft
and eſculent. Young trees will be rais'd by the Seeds of ſuch as have been impregnated
from the male Plant ; and not from thoſe of others.
Ficus foliis ovatis integerrimis obtulis's caule inferno radicato,
Bengal Fig.

35
CRYPTOGAMIA LINNÆI.
ENORMOUS POLYPOD Y.
POLYPODIUM AURE U M.
Single Leaf makes but a ſimple appearance after the gorgeous cluſters and profuſe
elegancies of nature, repreſented juſtly, if imperfectly, in the preceding Plates : But
in the fern kinds, to which this belongs, a Leaf is all. It is the plant entire, and ca-
pable of propagation ; theſe bear no Stalk for Flowers ; but the whole Herb is here.
The golden dots upon the pale backs of the Leaves are cluſters of minute Flowers and
their ſucceeding Seeds. Theſe are ſo ſmall, and the progreſs of nature in performing
be great work of impregnation, is ſo hid from our fight by the minuteneſs of the Or-
gans, that the whole claſs is thence nam’d Cryptogamia ; thoſe which impregnate in ob-
ſcurity. It was proper to give one Plant of this peculiar claſs ; and fortune could not
have thrown in the way a nobler : for what beauty there can be in a Leaf this has; and
there is alſo a fingularity about the Root, worthy particular regard. Many of the ferns,
and even of this particular Polypody kind, have Leaves more complex in their form, and
more divided ; but thoſe who have ſtudy'd the art of deſign, will give the prize of ele-
gance to this, whoſe parts are all large, and ſuited to the enormous whole.
The antient Naturaliſts have nam'd a creature, call’d the Scythian Lamb, and told us
idle ſtories of its life: nay, fome have brought the body into ENGLAND; and we have
feen the folly and the falſity of the accounts by that unerring evidence. This Lamb is
the thick Root of a Fern, cover’d with a brown and downy coat, and they cut off four
of the Stalks at a due heighth, which paſs upon the credulous for legs. This Polypody
will explain the miracle ; and as it is evidently a native of China and the neighbouring
countries, tho' we firſt had it from South America; it is not improbable the very
beſt
of thoſe imagin’d creatures have been made from it,
Near the decaying ſtump of ſome old tree, where the ſoil is mellowed by the fallen
Leaves of many feaſons, riſes this ſpecious Polypody. The thick part of its Root creeps
variouſly and wildly upon the ſurface of the ground, tho' under ſhelter partly of the
Leaves; this is cover'd in a ſurpriſing manner with a brown filky matter, and from this
fhoot the Fibres. A fertile imagination might find eaſily the forms of Bears and Bulls,
as well as Lambs in it; as children ſee ſuch figures in the fire; or Aſtronomers in the
Heavens. And as Stalks riſe from thence in many parts, legs enough may be form'd at
pleaſure.
The Plant riſes to a yard in heighth or more; and its long undulated and fair di-
viſions, are decorated on the back with round cluſters of Seeds of a gold yellow. This
is the character of Polypodies among the Cryptagamous claſs; the reſt having the cluſters
in long lines, or on the edges of the Leaves, or covering their whole ſurface.
Nature ſeems to have conſider'd a beautiful out-line in the formation of this Leaf in a
peculiar manner : not only the diviſions are elegant and plac'd elegantly, but their propor-
tion and diſpoſition are vary'd to favour it. The lower lobes are kept diſtinct, and the
terminating part is larger than the reſt; both theſe particulars are ſources of beauty.
Polypodium frondibus pinnatifidis lævibus ; pinnis oblongis diſtantibus infimis patulis, terminali maxima.
Golden Polypody.
FINI S.
FI

Pa.35
P1.35
WA
Enormous Polypody


Τ Η Ε
IN N D
E X.
A.
Page
Page
A Maryllis, delicate
IO
Lilly, ſuperb
13
Amaryllis Jacobæan
Anemone
9
M.
M
19
After
1
30
18
Azalea
11
Meſembryanthemum
Meſpilus
Momordica
6
17
C.
32
Callicarpa
Colchicum
l' 1
5
N.
11
11
I 2
14
Coſtus
I
Narciſſus
Nyctanthes
Nyctanthes, double
2
D. Eco
3
Daffodills
14
P.
E.
11
8
Peloria
Periwinkle
Epidendrum
31
7
F.
20
Piony
Poinciana
Fig
16
34
Polypody
35
G.
Glorioſa
R.
1
13
Roſe, China
25, 27
H.
-
Rhubarb
15
17
24
s.
"
25
28
Hawthorn, New York
Hibiſcus, Crimſon
Hibiſcus, double Crimſon
Hibiſcus, Muſk
Hibiſcus, mutable
Hibiſcus, double mutable
Hypericum
Saint John's wort
Superb Lilly
11
13
23
26
T.
27
21
28
Tea; Bohea
Tea, Green
1
22
Tulips
1
1 -
II
1
2
I.
Jaſmine, Arabian
Jaſmine, Arabian double
Ixia
V.
3
11
Valliſneria
33
4
-
Vinca
7
L.
14
Z.
Lepia
Lilly, Jacobaan
f
Zinnia
9
1
14
Note, The ſame Numbers are upon the Pages and their reſpective Plates,

DIRECTIONS to
to the BOOK-BINDER,
Place every Plate oppoſite to the Page which has the ſame Number,
.
2



12


t
Hill
QK
Exotic botany
98
.H646
1772
HERBARIUM
011944
HERBARIUM

2