1. A flower divested of the petals, and spread open.
This elegant hot-house plant has been figured by several authors, and is well known by the appellation of the Night-blowing Cereus, and yet but few of Flora’s lovely train, warmed by the mid-day sun’s refulgent beams, in splendour can compare with this nocturnal beauty, whose brilliant flowers expand about sun-set. But, alas! too soon condemned to fade, they close up early on the following morn. Sometimes they have been found unclosed almost within an hour of noon: a circumstance that very rarely happens, as it generally displays its graceful blossoms to Cynthia’s silver beams, perfuming the still cool air of midnight with its aromatic fragrance.
Our figure was taken from a plant in the collection of the Dowager Lady de Clifford at Dudley Grove, Paddington.[Pg 33]
[Pg 34]
PLATE DIX.
GENTIANA FIMBRIATA.
Fringed-flowered Gentian.
CLASS V. ORDER II.
PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. Five Chives. Two Pointals.