REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Flower spread open, to shew the insertion of the Chives.
2. The same, exhibiting the character of the outer Petals.
3. The Pointal, natural size.
The genus Lachenalia is certainly an infringement on Hyacinthus; the small distinction on which this new genus is founded can, at most, be considered but of sufficient consequence to form a specific character, so thought Linnæus: the son of Professor Jacquin has thought otherwise, having called it after a botanist of the name of De la Chenal; and under which it is now generally known; therefore we have not replaced it under its old title, though we have authority of such weight to corroborate our opinion. The Lachenalias are natives of the Cape of Good Hope, yet are of so hardy a nature as to require no farther protection than shelter from the severe frosts. Our species is the handsomest yet known, flowering about September; was, according to the Kew catalogue, introduced there by Mr. F. Masson in the year 1774. It was from a plant in the extensive collection of G. Hibbert, Esq. Clapham Common (to whose kind communications the author acknowledges himself much indebted), that this figure was taken, the latter end of September this year. No plant is more easy or certain to increase than this; the young offsets are produced in such abundance from the old bulb, which delights in a light soil; but its flowering is not so certain.[Pg 166]
PLATE 41
PLATE XLII.
ORCHIS CILIARIS.
Fringed Orchis.
CLASS XX. ORDER I.
GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA. Chives on the Pointal. Two Chives.