1. A Blossom complete.
2. The Empalement, natural size.
3. The Empalement, magnified.
4. The Chives as they stand on the receptacle, magnified.
5. The Pointal and seed-bud, with the surrounding honey-cup, magnified.
6. The inner Cup of the Empalement, when the fruit is ripe, natural size.
7. A seed vessel of the natural size when ripe, detached from its cup.
8. A ripe capsule, cut open transversely.
From the eighth Ed. of Miller’s Dictionary, we learn that, this plant was cultivated at the Physic Gardens, Chelsea, in the year 1765. That so ornamental, and so easily propagated a plant as the Gaultheria, should have been so little noticed, or cultivated in our gardens, is rather singular; as, it is perfectly hardy in every exposure, an evergreen, and from the beautiful appearance of the fruit and flowers, which come in succession nearly through the whole year; must be considered, as one of our prettiest creeping or dwarf shrubs, for the front of the shrubbery borders, &c. as it never rises higher than six, or eight inches; forming a compact matted clump, which may be made to spread to a considerable extent, if planted in light sandy peat earth. The very curious conformation of the fruit, which is eatable, differing from every known Genus of plants; as well as, the peculiar property of the leaves; point out the Gaultheria, as a particular object for observation, and comment, to the experimental Botanist. In Canada, North America, where it is native, an infusion of the leaves is used as a substitute for tea; or a few of them, either dried, or plucked fresh from the plant, when mixt with the commonest bobea, communicate to it a flavour, equal to fine Hyson.[Pg 471]
PLATE 116
PLATE CXVII.
GENTIANA PURPUREA.
Purple flowered Gentian.
CLASS V. ORDER II.
PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. Five Chives. Two Pointals.
GENERIC CHARACTER.