SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Lambertia foliis ternis, apice mucronato-pungentibus; corollis striatis, extus suave rubentibus; antheris cæruleis.
Lambertia with leaves growing by threes, the ends terminating in sharp points; blossoms striped, of a light red without; tips blue.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. A Blossom cut open, with the Pointal as it stands in the blossom.
3. One segment of a Flower, with the Chive attached.
4. The Pointal (magnified).
5. A Capsule.
6. A Seed.
Of all the plants yet introduced from New Holland, that have hitherto flowered with us, this unquestionably takes the lead for beauty, considering the plant altogether. It is a hardy greenhouse plant, growing to the height of six or eight feet before it flowers; when the blossoms break from the ends of almost every branch. The seeds of this plant were among the first which arrived from Botany Bay, in the year 1788; when two varieties of it were raised by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, at their nursery, who were fortunate enough to procure all the seeds which came home that season. This fine genus has received its title, (under the sanction of Dr. Smith, see the Linn. Trans. page 214, vol. 3.) from Aylmer Bourke Lambert, Esq. fellow of the Royal and Linnæan Societies; a gentleman whose zeal for the advancement of the science is unbounded, and whose labours to that end, as well as his endeavours to render botany of universal benefit, by combining the useful with the pleasing; (witness his work on the Cinchonas, or Jesuits’ Barks) do him the greatest credit. Our drawing was made from a plant which flowered for the first time in this kingdom, in the collection of J. Robertson, Esq. of Stockwell, Surrey, in July 1798. It is without difficulty raised by cuttings, and thrives in peat earth.[Pg 276]
PLATE 69
