Mesembryanthemum foliis amplexicaulibus, glaberrimis, spathulatis; pedunculis longitudine foliorum; calycibus hemisphæricis; corollis luteis.
Fig Marygold with leaves embracing the stem, very smooth, and spatula-shaped; the foot-stalks the length of the leaves; cups hemispherical; blossoms yellow.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A Seed-bud; the Blossom, Cup and Chives, cut off, the Pointals remaining.
2. The same, with the Cup and Chives.
As the extreme brilliancy of this plant cannot be done justice to in painting, we must rest satisfied with having done our best; every person in the least acquainted with the art, must know, that in yellow the shining colour existing in nature cannot be retained in a drawing. This species is annual, and according to the Kew Catalogue, was introduced to the royal gardens by Mr. F. Masson in the year 1787. The seeds should be sown on a hotbed in the month of February, and by the end of August the plants will flower, and continue to blossom till the end of October; never failing to perfect their seeds.[Pg 230]
PLATE 57
