REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Flower with its seed, (natural size).
2. The same cut open, to shew the situation and insertion of the Chives into the tube of the Empalement.
3. The Pointal, (magnified).
The essential distinguishing character, in Passerina, Gnidia, Struthiola, and Lachnæa, must certainly be considered as amongst the slightest generic divisions made by Linnæus. It is no small difficulty to distinguish the blossom in Gnidia, and Lachnæa, from the empalement in Passerina, and Struthiola; the same exact natural structure being alike in them all; and to us, appear noticeable in their small variations, rather as forming specific, than generic distinctions. As our plan is not to alter, upon any terms, what has been determinately settled by that great master in the arcana of nature, let our opinions be what they will; we are determined to prevent confusion (which has been but little attended to of late), to give it only as such, without presuming upon alteration. But as in the present instance, when a plant long named, but otherwise unknown to cultivators, has unfortunately been foisted from its rank by another, no ways answering to the characters of the describer; we shall consider it as our particular province to rectify the mistake, however generally the error may have obtained.—The Gnidia pinifolia is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, the seeds having been received from thence in 1795, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, at whose nursery it has flowered, for the first time in England, in the month of February this year, and where the drawing was taken. It is a hardy greenhouse plant, but is propagated with difficulty by cuttings; growing to the height of eighteen inches, being most exquisitely scented by night, continuing in flower at least three months, and thriving best in a light peat soil.
A figure of the plant generally known by the name of G. pinifolia, will be given with the next number, to the end our assertions may be properly investigated.[Pg 210]
PLATE 52
