Geranium, empalements of one leaf; leaves five-lobed, smooth, and toothed; the flowers very large, nearly white.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement cut open, to shew its tubular structure.
2. The Chives, and Pointal, as placed in the flower, (natural size.)
3. The Shaft, Summits, and Seed-bud, (magnified.)
Of all the species of this numerous tribe, introduced to us, from the Cape of Good Hope, this stands singularly pre-eminent; whether for delicacy of foliage, or beauty of flower, of which, the most finished drawing would convey but a faint idea. The figure before us, was taken from a plant in the valuable collection of G. Hibbert, Esq. Clapham; from whom we understand, that it was sent in 1794 to the Royal Gardens at Kew, by Mr. F. Masson. To keep this plant in a flourishing condition, it should be kept in a window of the stove, in winter, as the heat of a greenhouse is scarce sufficient at that season. It flowers in July, or August, and requires the soil generally used for Geraniums, a mixture of rotten dung, and loam; being easily propagated by cuttings.
To dissent from most of the late publications on the science of Botany, may seem presuming; yet, when it shall be considered, that we take Linnæus for our sole guide, where that great master has incontestibly fixed a Generic character, to a tribe of plants, which undoubtedly, came clearly under his inspection; from his dictates, ours must emanate, although his authority may be questioned by others. If any good reasons had been found, to disunite a Genus, which nature has so palpably distinguished throughout all its numerous species; he certainly, who had minutely examined so many, would not in his factitious System have allied them; though nature had apparently so done. We must therefore, after him, think no Generic division necessary. For the sake of correctness, where a Genus is so extended in its species as Geranium, Erica, &c. are; the conformity of particular parts, may form a secondary arrangement, as we find it constantly in Linnæus; the Heaths, from the shape of their tips, the Geraniums, from the number of fertile Chives; which a French Botanist of the name of L’Heritier, has thought of sufficient moment to create two new Genera on, Erodium and Pelargonium, retaining the old name Geranium for those only, with ten perfect Chives. Mons. L’Heritier and his followers must, therefore, forgive us for ranking one of his Pelargoniums under the old standard.[Pg 54]
PLATE 12
