Eranthemum, although standing in our ancientest tables, as a name to different plants; must have been, hitherto, considered as a dead letter in all our modern ones, as attached to the tribe of plants it now titles: but perhaps, to none of the former more aptly could it have been applied; (especially this species, as the Greek word Ή�άνθεμον, a compound of Ής the spring, and ἀνθέω to blossom, fairly indicates;) since the E. pulchellum first begins to flower in January, and continues to blossom till May. Linnæus in treating this Genus, acknowledges to have seen but one imperfect specimen; and from this circumstance, left the description of the seed-vessel, and seed, to be determined by future Botanists; as yet, that has not been accomplished, even by the indefatigable and accurate Schreber; indeed, had the character of the pointal been likewise omitted, it would have been as well; since, in place of one, the two unequal summits, (which might escape observation in a dried specimen, from their disproportion in length, and upright situation;) point out a stronger Generical distinction from Justicia, to which it much affines, than either, the regular shape of the limb of the blossom, or the situation of the chives. Our species is a native of the coast of Coromandel, in the East Indies, and was first received in seeds from Dr. Roxburg, at the Royal gardens Kew, in the year 1796. It is a most desirable plant, for although it has hitherto been kept in the hot-house, we have no doubt from its flowering and thriving there, with so little care, in any situation; but that it will soon be considered as a proper inhabitant of the greenhouse. It is with the greatest ease, and certainty, increased by cuttings. Our drawing was made this month, from a plant in flower at the Hammersmith nursery.[Pg 357]

PLATE 88

[Pg 360][Pg 359][Pg 358]

PLATE LXXXIX.
GNIDIA LÆVIGATA.
Shining-leaved Gnidia.

CLASS VIII. ORDER I.

OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Eight Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

Calyx infundibuliformis, 4-fidus. Petala quatuor, calyci inserta. Semen unum, subbaccatum.