To New Holland we export criminals for our convenience and safety, and from thence import furs for our covering and flowers for our amusement. So far the balance of trade is in our favour. But by whose hands, or at what time, our present subject was first brought over, we have not been able to learn. The specimen was communicated by A. B. Lambert, esq. in the beginning of April from his collection at Boyton, and we have also seen the plant very finely in flower at Mr. Whitley’s nursery, Brompton. Its woolly leaves and branches, contrasted with the Mimosas and other hard-leaved plants from the same country, make an agreeable variety, and the early blossoms are very ornamental. The plants we have seen are moderate-sized branchy shrubs, are kept in the green-house like other New Holland plants, and require no particular treatment. We have seen more species from the same country in herbariums, and some are now alive in this country, although they have not yet blossomed.
PLATE DLXX.
JUSTICIA NITIDA.
Shining-leaved Justicia.
CLASS II. ORDER I.
DIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Two Chives. One Pointal.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx simplex seu duplex. Corolla 1-petala, irregularis. Capsula ungue elastico dissiliens: dissepimentum contrarium; adnatum.
Empalement simple or double. Blossom one-petalled, irregular. Capsule splitting with an elastic claw: partition contrary to the valve; affixed.