active 1799-1828 Henry Cranke Andrews

“ This little Protea is more desirable, by way of contrast to those splendid imbricated species, than for any beauty it possesses, and exhibits powerfully the great diversity of character annexed to this numerous genus. Attached to the dissections is part of the branch of a minor variety, and which is by some considered as specifically distinct: and were extension our object, it certainly might be made a separate species, from the difference of its character after flowering, the larger one forming a cone the size of an egg; which the lesser one does not. ”

“ Linnæus has separated this genus from Aloe, from the extension of the stamens and style beyond the corolla, and the resting of the corolla on the germ: they also differ in growth, as all Agaves have their central leaves closely enfoliating and embracing the flower-stem, which, forming in the centre, never appears till they are expanded; it then proceeds with a rapidity that in a few weeks reaches maturity, and when the flowers are past the plant dies. On the contrary, the flower-stem of the Aloe comes out from the side annually from the same plant. ”

“ Of this genus of plants there are as yet known but four species. The present one, from its specific title, might naturally be supposed to possess a magnificent exterior of unrivalled beauty; which is by no means the case: for although it is a grand plant when in fine bloom, the term of gloriosa must certainly be regarded as a metaphysical hyperbole, very inapplicable to any plant ever so beautiful. ”

“ This Lachenalia is perfectly new, an attraction that may counterbalance its want of speciosity. From the total absence of footstalks to the flowers we have derived its unoccupied specific title. Professor Jacquin has figured many handsome species of this genus not yet introduced to this country, and amongst the number two equally sessile with our plant, but in no other particular resembling it. ”

“ In the Flora Londinensis of Curtis, there is a figure under the title of Ophrys fuciflora very much resembling our plant in most particulars, except in the colour of the flower, which is very different. The same plant is again figured in Dr. Smith’s English Botany, under the specific of aranifera; and thus the plant is known both as a spider and a drone. The arachnoides may therefore be considered, if not a distinct species, as a very strong marked variety, and is at present a scarce plant. It remains so long in bloom, that the author observed it at the nursery of Messrs. ”

“ The nectary, or honey-cup.
2. The blossom detached.
3. The seed-bud, chives, and pointal, the hood lifted up that covers the chives.
4. The same magnified.
Amongst this numerous parasitic tribe there are many whose claim to beauty is by no means powerful, and certainly the present figure has little to boast of in that particular: but the singular and curious structure of their flowers will always render every new species and even distinct varieties desirable, particularly as they are an essential connecting link in the interesting family of the Orchidiæ. ”

“ Gompholobium has a globular pod, and Chorizema an oblong one and a bilabiate calyx. Daviesia, Viminaria, and Sphærolobium have pods one-seeded. Thus situated, we are under the necessity of adding one more to the number of genera, perhaps already too extended. We have never seen it exceed a foot in height. The foliage is mostly in whorls: and the stem, leaves, cups, and fruits are hairy.
Our figure represents one of the plants from the nursery of Messrs. Loddige, who first raised it from seed, and where we observed its brilliant little flowers in successive bloom for at least six months. ”

“ This new species of Diosma so nearly resembles the genus Erica in its foliage, that, regarding it as an unequivocally good specific reference, we have adopted it. The only place in which we have as yet seen it was at the Cape nursery last December, where we observed several plants in fine bloom; and although not showy, they are certainly estimable from their neat and delicate appearance, particularly at a season when so many of the beauties of vegetation are in a state of quiescence. ”

“ The bright radiated purple at the base is a great relief to the surrounding whiteness of the petals, that would otherwise stand in much greater need of the assistance of art for a strength of shadow, that would unavoidably injure their delicacy. The more we become acquainted with this attractive genus, the greater latitude of growth we find attached to it, which appears to defy all systematic rule, varying in some species from Digynia, or two pointals, up to six or more. ”

“ SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Protea repens, foliis sub-amplexicaulibus, cordatis, undulatis, apice reflexis, acutis, marginibus rubris: floribus sub basin: interius squamarum calycis læte carneum, exterius fusco-purpureum, villosum.
Protea with a creeping stem, and leaves nearly surrounding it, which are heart-shaped, waved, bent back at the end, sharp-pointed, and red at the edges: flowers grow towards the base of the plant: the inside of the scales of the empalement are of a bright flesh colour, and the outside of a purply brown, and hairy.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. ”

“ The chives and pointal.
4. Leaf of a variety.
This handsome species of Xeranthemum may be regarded as truly herbaceous, as the plant not only dies down annually, but even whilst living keeps constantly sending up fresh shoots from the root. The white appearance of the leaves is owing to their being enveloped by a kind of wool: but there are two varieties; the one whose foliage is almost without this woolly coat, and the other entirely divested of it, and of a rich green colour; but in every other particular the plants are all exactly alike. ”

“ The present species has been recently figured in the Paradisus Londinensis under the title of Cymburus mutabilis, and probably at some future period it may again receive another title: but until we can find some better path to lead us into the open plain or Information, we shall keep jogging on in the old beaten track, in preference to every crooked turning that may bewilder us into the mazy labyrinth of affected Science. ”

“ The only variation we have ever observed has been sometimes a super-abundance of petals in the corolla; (instead of a deficiency) five instead of four, a frequent occurrence in many genera when the plant is in a state of luxuriant growth: and certainly little illustration, but much confusion, might probably arise from giving a figure from any specimen so very defective. ”

“ Neither of the plants, when in bloom, possesses much beauty, but they have rather a sombre aspect: yet the female plant, when in fruit, is certainly very handsome. In Japan and the South Sea Islands, where it is indigenous, the bark of it serves to make a clothing for the natives. ”

“ The Caribæan species is said to be an excellent substitute for the Peruvian bark, and therefore a most valuable acquisition to us; as Mr. Lambert, in his description of the genus Cinchona, informs us that well grounded fears are entertained of the Peruvian species being some day lost to us, as, from the extreme decortication they have experienced, they are nearly extinct in those parts where they were formerly most abundant. [Pg 99]
[Pg 100]
PLATE CCCCLXXXII. DIANTHUS ALPINUS.
Alpine Pink.
CLASS VI. ORDER II.
DECANDRIA DIGYNIA. Ten Chives. Two Pointals.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. ”

“ Blossom 5 petals, nearly gaping: petals spreading: the lip of the honey-cup comes from the base of the shaft, spreading. Chives two, terminal, and close together.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Ophrys arachnoides, caule folioso: foliis lanceolatis, glauco-viridibus, striatis: corollis patentibus, sub-albis; tribus exterioribus obtusis; duabus interioribus acutis, brevissimis: labello nectarii magno, subrotundo, fusco, convexo, villoso: prope basin labelli duæ sunt appendiculæ oppositæ, flavæ: centrum nectarii interlineatum est, maculisque flavis notatum: et in medio marginis tuberculum carnosum. ”

“ Semina tecta.
Blossom. Five petals. Five nectaries above the seed-bud. Seed-vessels 3 or 5, joined together. Seeds covered.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Diosma ovata, foliis alternis, oppositis, odoris, supra glabris, infra punctatis, patentibus: floribus plerumque duobus, axillaribus, in medio ramulorum, albis. Caulis erectus: ramis simplicibus.
Diosma with oval leaves, alternate, opposite, and full of scent, smooth above, dotted beneath, and spreading. Flowers grow mostly two together from the axillæ of the leaves, about the middle of the branches, and are white. Stem upright. Branches simple. ”

“ The juice of the leaves is said to be used as a succedaneum for soap, and the spungy substance of the stem for tinder. The points of the leaves are by the Indians made use of to head their arrows, whose hard consistence is a good substitute for iron ”

“ This plant is well known by the title of cordigera, a specific derived from the resemblance the lip of the nectarium is supposed to bear to the shape of a heart: but the analogy is certainly not very powerful. The flowers remain a considerable time in perfection. It is indigenous to Spain, Barbary, Italy, [Pg 87] &c.
[Pg 88]
PLATE CCCCLXXVI. MELALEUCA DIOSMÆFOLIA.
Diosma-leaved Melaleuca.
CLASS XVIII. ORDER IV.
POLYADELPHIA POLYANDRIA. Threads in many Sets. Many Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx quinquefidus, semisuperus. ”

“ By placing it amongst the variations these objections are obviated, and the appearance of repetition avoided: a desirable object in a genus so extended as Protea; and we shall take every opportunity of abbreviating as much as possible the number of slight varieties, particularly when their attractions are not considerable. Our drawing was made from plants in the Hibbertian collection. ”

“ But, as far as it was advanced, we have represented it, as in this climate it might probably never arrive at greater maturity, unless a larger house were constructed for it: otherwise the degree of heat necessary to preserve the smaller tropical plants would always be subject to injure those of a large size, from the natural extension of their roots approaching too near the flues. ”

“ This handsome shrub is described in the 4th vol. of the Asiatic Researches, under the native title of D.hawry, and is said to grow wild on the hills and banks of rivulets in the northern part of Hindostan, where it is as much esteemed for its utility as its beautiful red flowers, which are gathered both for the use of dyers and apothecaries ”

“ Flores plures, germinantes a duabus bracteis oppositis; corollis luteis: petalis duobus superioribus maculatis. Rami graciles, longi, emergentes a radice, terram comprimunt, et postea adscendunt.
Goodenia with slender stems, prostrate leaves which are spathula-shaped, with lightly haired margins. ”

“ Five Pointals.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx. Perianthium pentaphyllum, lanceolatum, erectum, persistens.
Corolla. Petala infundibuliformia quinque, oblonga, superne sensim latiora, obtusa, patentia.
Stamina. Filamenta quinque subulata, erecta, longitudine calycis (rudimenta filorum insuper 5, alternantia) . Antheræ simplices, sagittatæ.
Pistillum. Germen ovatum. Styli 5, filiformes, erecti, longitudine staminum. Stigmata simplicia, reflexa.
Pericarpium. Capsula globosa, pentagona, decemlocularis, quinquevalvis.
Semina solitaria, ovato-planiuscula, acuminata, glabra. ”

“ They require but little water in summer, and still less in winter; should be carefully sheltered from rain and frost, and they will succeed very well, and are easily propagated by slips from the joints, but very rarely seed in this country. ”

“ Blossom 5 petals: the claws the length of the calyx, narrow, and inserted into the receptacle: border flat without, broadly obtuse, and notched.
Chives. Ten threads, awl-shaped, the length of the calyx: tips oval, oblong, compressed, and incumbent.
Pointal. Seed-bud oval. Shafts two, awl-shaped, and longer than the chives. Summit recurved, and pointed.
Seed-vessel. Capsule cylindrical, straight, one loculament, four-sided, and splitting at the end.
Seeds many, compressed, nearly round, and freed from the receptacle.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Dianthus alpinus. ”

“ Stamina. Filamenta viginti, subulata, corolla breviora, calyci inserta. Antheræ lunulares.
Pistillum. Germina numerosa, minima, in capitulum collecta. Styli simplices, latere germinis inserti. Stigmata simplicia.
Pericarpium nullum. Bacca fit receptaculum commune seminum, rotundo-ovata, pulposa, mollis, magna, colorata, basi truncata, decidua.
Semina numerosa, minima, per superficiem receptaculi sparsa.
Empalement. Cup one-leafed, flat, ten-cleft: the segments are alternately exterior, and narrowed.
Blossom five-petalled, nearly round, spreading, and inserted into the calyx.
Chives. ”

“ Calyx nullus. Corolla monopetala, sex-partita. Stamina sena, corolla longiora. Germen inferum. Stylus longior staminibus. Capsula trilocularis, trivalvis. Semina numerosa.
Empalement none. Blossom one-petalled, six-parted. Chives six, longer than the blossom. Seed-bud beneath. Shaft longer than the chives. Capsule three-celled, three-valved. Seeds many. ”