The Botanical Magazine, Vol. 3 | Page 7

It appears from the Hortus Kewensis, the publication of which is daily
expected, that the plant here figured was first brought to this country
from the Canary Islands, by Mr. FRANCIS MASSON, in the year
1777.
It is highly deserving the notice of the Botanist, not only as being by far
the least species of the genus, but on account of its Nectaria; these,
though not mentioned by LINNÆUS in his character of the genus, have
been described by other authors, particularly JACQUIN and HALLER;
and though not present in most, and but faintly visible in a few species
of Sempervivum, in this plant form a principal part of the fructification;
they are usually seven in number, but vary from six to eight.
In the specimens we have examined, and which perhaps have been
rendered luxuriant by culture, the number of stamina has been from
twelve to sixteen; of styles, from six to eight; of flowers on the same
stalk, from one to eight.
It flowers during most of the summer months, succeeds very well with
the common treatment of a greenhouse plant in the summer, but does
best in a dry stove in the winter.
Is readily increased by parting its roots.

[94]
SISYRINCHIUM IRIOIDES. IRIS-LEAV'D SISYRINCHIUM.

Class and Order.
GYNANDRIA TRIANDRIA.
Generic Character.
Monogyna. Spatha diphylla. Petala 6 plana. Capsula tri-locularis,
infera.
Specific Character and Synonyms.
SISYRINCHIUM iridioides foliis ensiformibus; petalis
oblongo-obcordatis, venosis; germinibus pyriformibus, subhirsutis.
SISYRINCHIUM Bermudiana. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p. 820. var. 2.
Spec. Pl. p. 1353._
BERMUDIANA iridis folio, radice fibrosa. Dill. Elth. 48. t. 41. f. 48.
SISYRINCHIUM Bermudiana foliis gladiolatis amplexicaulibus,
pedunculis brevioribus. Miller's Dict. ed. 6. 4to.
[Illustration: No 94]
On comparing the present plant with the _Bermudiana graminea flore
minore coeruleo_ of DILLENIUS, both of which I have growing, and
now in pots before me, the difference appears so striking, that I am
induced with him and MILLER to consider them as distinct species;
especially as, on a close examination, there appear characters sufficient
to justify me in the opinion, which characters are not altered by culture.
It is a native of the Bermudian Islands, and flowers in the open border
from May to the end of July; it is not uncommon to keep it in the
greenhouse, for which, from its size &c. it is very well adapted; but it is
not necessary to treat it tenderly, as it will bear a greater degree of cold
than many plants usually considered as hardy.
It may be propagated most readily by seeds, or by parting its roots in
the autumn; should be planted on a border with an eastern aspect; soil

the same as for bulbs.

[95]
GERANIUM RADULA. RASP-LEAV'D GERANIUM.
Class and Order.
MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA.
Generic Character.
Monogyna. Stigmata 5. Fructus rostratus, 5-coccus.
Specific Character and Synonyms.
GERANIUM revolutum pedunculis subbifloris, foliis multifidis
linearibus scabris ad oras revolutis, caule arboreo. _Jacq. ic. 133.
collect. 1. p. 84._
GERANIUM Radula. Cavanill. Diss. 4. p. 262. t. 101. f. 1.
[Illustration: No 95]
This is one of the numerous tribe of Geraniums introduced from the
Cape since the time of MILLER: it takes the name of Radula, which is
the Latin term for a rasp or file, from the rough rasp-like surface of the
leaves.
There are two varieties of it, a major and a minor, which keep pretty
constantly to their characters; and as this species is readily raised from
seeds, it affords also many seminal varieties.
As a Botanist, desirous of seeing plants distinct in their characters, we
could almost wish it were impossible to raise these _foreign
Geraniums_ from seeds; for, without pretending to any extraordinary
discernment, we may venture to prophecy, that in a few years, from the

multiplication of seminal varieties, springing from seeds casually, or
perhaps purposely impregnated with the pollen of different sorts, such a
crop will be produced as will baffle all our attempts to reduce to species,
or even regular varieties.
Such as are partial to this tribe, will no doubt wish to have this species
in their collection; the blossoms are pretty, and the foliage is singular,
but it remains but a short time in flower.
It is readily propagated by cuttings.

[96]
LANTANA ACULEATA. PRICKLY LANTANA.
Class and Order.
DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA.
Generic Character.
Calyx 4-dentatus obsolete. Stigma uncinato-refractum. Drupa nucleo
2-loculari.
Specific Character and Synonyms.
LANTANA aculeata foliis oppositis, caule aculeato ramoso spicis
hemisphæricis. Lin. Syst. Veg. ed. 14. p. 566.
[Illustration: No 96]
According to MILLER, this species grows naturally in Jamaica, and
most of the other Islands in the West-Indies, where it is called wild
Sage; the flowers, which are very brilliant, are succeeded by roundish
berries, which, when ripe, turn black, having a pulpy covering over a
single hard seed.

It is readily propagated by cuttings.
Different plants vary