SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Westeringia foliis verticillatis, sub-linearibus, acutis, subtus sericeis; floribus axillaribus, spicatis.
Westeringia with leaves growing in whorls, nearly linear, pointed and silky underneath; flowers grow from the base of the leaves close to the stem, in spikes.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement, with the two props attached to the base.
2. A Flower spread open, with the chives in their place, magnified.
3. The Pointal, natural size.
4. The same magnified.
The present plant was introduced to our gardens, in the year 1791, from New South Wales, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, Hammersmith. It was first named Cunila verticillata, and, from what we can judge, it might, without much forcing of the characters of the genus, have been so continued; but our opinions shall always give way, when the decision is past from such superior talents as those of Dr. Smith; by whom it has been thought to possess a sufficiency of distinctive character, on which to form a new genus, under the title it here bears. It is a bushy shrub, grows to the height of three feet, the branches standing out almost horizontally, in whorls, and the whole plant bearing a great resemblance to the Rosemary. It is propagated by cuttings made in March from the end of the small branches; approves most of light sandy peat, and is in flower from March till November. The whole plant is scentless.[Pg 284]
