Epigæa with stems that lay on the earth; leaves between heart and egg-shape, quite entire, and netted; blossoms salver-shaped.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The two Cups of the Empalement.
2. The inner Cup, disengaged from the outer.
3. A Blossom cut open, to shew its hairy interior.
4. The Chives and Pointal, as they stand in the Blossom.
5. The Pointal, (magnified).
The Creeping Epigæa is the only species of the genus yet in Britain; it was first introduced by P. Collinson, Esq. in 1736, from N. America; where it is found in most parts, from Virginia, as far north as Canada. The flowers of this plant are extremely fragrant, and are produced from March till May. Hitherto, very few situations have been found congenial to its cultivation, or growth; indeed, so subject is it to perish from the moisture, or changeableness of atmosphere in our winter months, to which it is not subject in its native clime, being during that season covered with a deep snow; that unless an occasional supply had not been procured from America, the plant must, long ere this, have been lost to us. The soil which appears best adapted for its preservation, is a light sandy loam: if planted in the open air, it should have a sheltered situation, on a dry border; but the most likely mode to preserve it, is by keeping it as a greenhouse plant. It is with difficulty increased by cuttings, but may be divided at the root, with success, in March. Our figure was made at the nursery of Mess. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith, this year, in the month of April.[Pg 413]
PLATE 102
