Coloured engravings of heaths; vol. 3

At the commencement of this Monograph the extent of this elegant tribe of plants appeared to be circumscribed within a small compass, and we calculated upon one volume enshrining the whole Genus. The termination of that volume left a residuum of sufficient magnitude to complete a second, at whose termination an ample fund for continuation was still apparent. A third is finished; and there yet remains enough to form a fourth, the conclusion of which will, we think, contain all that are as yet in cultivation with us, as the limits of this extensive family appear at present to be bounded within three hundred species and distinct varieties; and unless some new source should be found to extend it, by the discovery of some unexpected mine of novelty, it may be then considered as for a time completed; although, no doubt, from the beautiful variations occasionally raised from seed, there will be still further accessions of novelty to merit attention at some future period, by way of appendix.
When the author first began to delineate the Erica family in the year 1794, the greater part of the species then known had been so recently imported, that the seeds did not ripen with us. A period of fifteen years having since elapsed, many of them have become so far naturalized as to perfect their seed freely. The prevalent idea of their not ripening with us is owing to a want of sufficient attention to preserve them; for, as soon as the seeds are perfect, if not immediately collected, the capsule splits, and the seeds, which are extremely small, escape unperceived.
Taken from the shape of the tips, and the number of leaves which surround the stem in one whorl.
CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.
Erica, antheris muticis inclusis; corollis subcylindricis, purpureis; floribus umbellatis, subterminalibus; foliis quaternis, retortis, acuminatis, glabris.
DESCRIPTIO.
Caulis fruticosus, pedalis, ramosissimus; rami flexuosi, filiformes.
Folia quaterna, trigona, retorta, acuminata, lucida, supra plana, subtus sulcata; petiolis longis, adpressis.