1. The Empalement.
2. The Blossom.
3. The Chives and Pointal.
4. A Chive, magnified.
5. The Pointal.
6. The same magnified.
The singularity of this plant recommends it to our notice, rather than its beauty. It is a native of New South Wales, near Port Jackson, and is found in marshy grounds; where its branches are seen to extend many yards, embracing all the under shrubs they meet; they seldom exceed the size of small twine, but are exceeding tough. The whole plant, when old, has a dirty or rusty brown appearance, the leaves becoming very small and narrow; although from culture in this country, we have seen the leaves, on some plants, near an inch in breadth, and three in length. For the Generic and Specific titles of this plant we are indebted to Dr. Smith, P. L. S. &c. and we do not think more appropriate ones could have been invented. The giving specific names and characters to plants, where only one has been discovered of the Genus, although a little from Linnæan principles, we must confess accords with our ideas; for, although, to compare is necessary to distinctive difference; yet, if the most ostensible, and novel appearance of the parts, are taken from the first discovered plant, for the specific character; there is no more danger of confusion, from any addition to the Genus, than if no such observations had been made; for, what must in future be taken as specific distinction must arise from an opposition to the first plant on which the Genus was founded: wherefore we have adopted this manner, from the commencement of the work. This plant was first raised at the Hammersmith Nursery, from seeds received from New South Wales in 1791. It is propagated by cuttings taken from the young shoots, in April; should be planted in very sandy peat earth, and kept very dry in winter. It is in flower nearly the whole year.[Pg 260]
