1. The empalement.
2. A blossom spread open.
3. Seed-bud and pointal, as it appears in the opening buds.
4. The same when fully expanded.
This very natural genus was established by Jacquin from the Bois Cabril of the Creoles in Martinico, a shrub, the young shoots of which are greedily sought for and eaten by their cattle, particularly goats, whence the name (in English) Goatwood; and which Jacquin, following the botanical canon, elegantly turned into Ægiphila. With this species the celebrated Swartz has conjoined the Knoxia of Browne’s Jamaica and Manabea lævis of Aublet’s Guiana, and added two more species, Æ. fœtida and Æ. trifida, discovered by himself; and Willdenow has yet further augmented it with the Manabea villosa and arborescens of Aublet, and the Nuxia of Lamarck: the last, however, we consider as a very doubtful species. That fine collection of plants from the West Indies, introduced in 1807 by lord Seaforth, and by him presented to A. B. Lambert, esq. and which we have already so often quoted, has brought to our knowledge two more species, which we have denominated diffusa and obovata, from what appeared to us to be their most prominent features. Both shrubs are natives of the West Indies, and were sent to us in flower in August 1808. They are propagated by cuttings, and have not yet ripened seeds in England, but produce flowers annually in abundance during the months of July and August.
PLATE DLXXIX.
CRATÆGUS AZAROLUS.
The Azarole.
CLASS II. ORDER XII.
ICOSANDRIA DIGYNIA. Twenty Chives. Two Pointals.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.