_Specific Character and Synonyms._

DIANTHUS _chinensis_ floribus solitariis, squamis calycinis subulatis patulis, tub.u.m aequantibus, corollis crenatis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p._ 418. _Sp. Pl._ 588.

CARYOPHYLLUS sinensis supinus, leucoji folio, flore unico. _Tournef.

act._ 1705. _p._ 348. _f._ 5.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 25]

This species, unknown to the older botanists, is a native of China, hence its name of China Pink; but, in the nurseries, it is in general better known by the name of Indian Pink.

Though it cannot boast the agreeable scent of many of its congeners, it eclipses most of them in the brilliancy of its colours; there are few flowers indeed which can boast that richness and variety found among the most improved varieties of this species; and as these are easily obtained from seed, so they are found in most collections, both single and double.

It is little better than an annual, but will sometimes continue two years in a dry soil, which it affects.

Attempts have been made to force it, but, as far as we have learned, with no great success.

[26]

~Stapelia variegata. Variegated Stapelia.~

_Cla.s.s and Order._

~Pentandria Digynia.~

_Generic Character._

Contorta. _Nectarium_ duplici stellula tegente genitalia.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

STAPELIA _variegata_ denticulis ramorum patentibus. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab.

p._ 260. _Sp. Pl. p._ 316.

ASCLEPIAS aizoides africana. _Bradl. suc._ 3. _p._ 3. _t._ 22.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 26]

This very singular plant is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, where it grows and flourishes on the rocks with the _Stapelia hirsuta_.

If these plants be kept in a very moderate stove in winter, and in summer placed in an airy gla.s.s-case where they may enjoy much free air, but screened from wet and cold, they will thrive and flower very well; for although they will live in the open air in summer, and may be kept through the winter in a good green-house; yet these plants will not flower so well as those managed in the other way. They must have little water given them, especially in winter.

It is very seldom that the _variegata_ produces seed-vessels in this country; MILLER observes, in upwards of forty years that he cultivated it, he never saw it produce its pods but three times, and then on such plants only as were plunged into the tan-bed in the stove.

This plant may be propagated without seeds, as it grows fast enough from slips; treatment the same as that of the Creeping Cereus, which see.

It takes its name of _Stapelia_ from _Stapel_, a Dutchman, author of some botanical works, particularly a Description of Theophrastus's plants.

[27]

~Convolvulus tricolor. Small Convolvulus or Bindweed.~

_Cla.s.s and Order._

~Pentandria Monogynia.~

_Generic Character._

_Corolla_ campanulata, plicata. _Stigmata_ 2. _Capsula_ 2-locularis: loculis dispermis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

CONVOLVULUS _tricolor_ foliis lanceolato ovatis glabris, caule declinato, floribus solitariis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p._ 203. _Sp. Pl.

p._ 225.

CONVOLVULUS peregrinus caeruleus, folio oblongo. _Bauh. Pin._ 295. Flore triplici colore insignito. _Moris. hist._ 2. _p._ 17. _s._ 1. _t._ 4.

_f._ 4.

The Spanish Small Blew Bindeweede. _Parkins. Parad. p._ 4.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 27]

This species has usually been called _Convolvulus minor_ by gardeners, by way of distinguishing it from the _Convolvulus purpureus_, to which they have given the name of _major_. It is a very pretty annual; a native of Spain, Portugal, and Sicily, and very commonly cultivated in gardens.

The most usual colours of its blossoms are blue, white, and yellow, whence its name of _tricolor_; but there is a variety of it with white, and another with striped blossoms.

The whole plant with us is in general hairy, hence it does not well accord with LINNaeUS'S description. It is propagated by seeds, which should be sown on the flower-borders in the spring, where the plants are to remain: they require no other care than to be thinned and weeded.

[28]

~Pa.s.siflora coerulea. Common Pa.s.sion-Flower.~

_Cla.s.s and order._

~Gynandria Hexandria.~

_Generic Character._

Trigyna. _Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Petala_ 5. _Nectarium_ corona. _Bacca_ pedicellata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._