_Cla.s.s and Order._

~Syngenesia Polygamia Superflua.~

_Generic Character._

_Receptaculum_ nudum. _Pappus_ simplex. _Calyx_ simplex, polyphyllus, aequalis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

CINERARIA _lanata_ caule suffruticoso, foliis subquinquelobis, subtus tomentosis; foliolis ad pedunculos lanatis.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 53]

In the beauty of its blossoms, this species of _Cineraria_, lately introduced from Africa, by far eclipses all the others cultivated in our gardens; its petals exteriorly are of a most vivid purple, interiorly white; this change of colour adds much to the brilliancy of the flower.

What renders this plant a more valuable acquisition to the green-house, is its hardiness, its readiness to flower, and the facility with which it may be propagated.

It flowers early in the spring, and, by proper management, may be made to flower the whole year through; it is sometimes kept in the stove, and may be made to flower earlier by that means; but it succeeds better in a common green-house, with no more heat than is just necessary to keep out the frost, indeed it may be preserved in a common hot-bed frame through the winter, unless the weather prove very severe.

Certain plants are particularly liable to be infested with _Aphides_, or, in the vulgar phrase, to become lousy, this is one: the only way to have handsome, healthy, strong-flowering plants, is to procure a constant succession by cuttings, for there is no plant strikes more readily; these should be placed in a pot, and plunged into a bed of tan.

[54]

~Anemone sylvestris, Snowdrop Anemony.~

_Cla.s.s and Order._

~Polyandria Polygynia.~

_Generic Character._

_Calyx_ nullus. _Petala_ 6-9. _Semina_ plura.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ANEMONE _sylvestris_ pedunculo nudo, feminibus subrotundis, hirsutis, muticis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. p. 510._

ANEMONE sylvestris alba major. _Bauh. Pin. p. 176._

The white wild broad-leafed Wind-Flower. _Park. Par. 202._

[Ill.u.s.tration: 54]

PARKINSON very accurately notices the striking characters of this species of Anemone, which are its creeping roots, its large white flowers standing on the tops of the flower-stalks, which sometimes grow two together, but most commonly singly; the leaves on the stalk, he observes, are more finely divided than those of the root, and its seeds are woolly.

MILLER describes it as having little beauty, and therefore but seldom planted in gardens; it is true, it does not recommend itself by the gaudiness of its colours, but there is in the flowers, especially before they expand, a simple elegance, somewhat like that of the Snowdrop, and which affords a pleasing contrast to the more shewy flowers of the garden.

It flowers in May, and ripens its seeds in June.

It will grow in almost any soil or situation, is propagated by offsets from the root, which it puts out most plentifully, so as indeed sometimes to be troublesome. Is a native of Germany.

[55]

~Geranium striatum. Striped Geranium.~

_Cla.s.s and Order._

~Monadelphia Decandria.~

_Generic Character._

Monogynia. _Stigmata_ 5. _Fructus_ rostratus 5-coccus.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

GERANIUM _striatum_ pedunculis bifloris, foliis quinquelobis: lobis medio dilatatis, petalis bilobis venosoreticulatus. _Linn. Syst.

Vegetab. p. 616._

GERANIUM _striatum_ pedunculis bifloris, foliis caulinis trilobis, obtuse crenatis. _Miller's Dict._

GERANIUM Romanum versicolor sive striatum.

The variable striped Cranesbill. _Park. Parad. p. 229._

[Ill.u.s.tration: 55]

This species is distinguished by having white petals, finely reticulated with red veins, and the corners of the divisions of the leaves marked with a spot of a purplish brown colour, which PARKINSON has long since noticed.

Is said by LINNaeUS to be a native of Italy, is a very hardy plant, flowers in May and June, and may be propagated by parting its roots in Autumn, or by seed; prefers a loamy soil and shady situation.

[56]

~Geranium lanceolatum. Spear-Leaved Geranium.~

_Cla.s.s and Order._