1. A Leaf.
2. One of the Floral Leaves, magnified.
3. A Floret, complete.
4. One of the Petals, with its Chive at the point, magnified.
5. The Pointal, with the Summit detached and magnified.
From the great number of new species of the divided leaved Proteas, we are led to conjecture, that they are as numerous as those with entire leaves. The P. decumbens, from the different specimens we have seen, appears to branch into many varieties; some with hairy leaves and stems, some with very close thick set leaves, and some, with both stems and leaves, quite smooth. They are all, nevertheless, very slender stemed; and, there is little doubt but, in their natural state, they rest on the ground; although in the fashion we train them here, they have the appearance of being erect. This species is found at a considerable distance from the Cape Town, on the summits of dry sandy hills; wherefore, it must be kept in the most airy part of the green-house, and watered but seldom. The stem does not grow more than eighteen inches long, and frequently flowers, as was the case in the present instance, when not more than twelve. It is propagated, readily, from cuttings made in the month of May, if treated in the method already directed for the increase of these plants. The earth in which it should be planted is, a light sandy bright loam. Our drawing was taken in the month of July, 1802, from a plant in the Hibbertian Collection, to which it was introduced by Mr. Niven, in the year 1800.[Pg 123]
PLATE CCCL.
LACHENALIA PUSTULATA.
Rough-leaved Lachenalia.
CLASS VI. ORDER I.
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Six Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.