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[Ill.u.s.tration: No 164]
This species of Ranunculus, an inhabitant of the dry pastures South of France and Italy, and a hardy herbaceous plant of ready growth, recommends itself by the earliness of its flowering and the delicate glaucous colour of its foliage. PARKINSON figures it with double flowers, though he describes it with semi-double ones only; we have not observed either of these varieties in the gardens about London, they have most probably fallen victims to the rage for novelty, at the shrine of which many a fair and goodly flower is yearly sacrificed.
It flowers towards the end of April, and is propagated by parting its roots in autumn.
The synonyms of this and other species of Ranunculus described in GERARD'S _Fl. Gallopr._ are very inaccurately quoted in Professor MURRAY'S edition of the _Syst. Vegetab._
[165]
PELARGONIUM CORDIFOLIUM. HEART-LEAVED GERANIUM.
_Cla.s.s and Order._
MONADELPHIA HEPTANDRIA.
_Generic Character._
_Cal._ 5-part.i.tus: lacinia suprema, definente in tubulum capilarem, nectariferum, secus pedunculum decurrentem. _Cor._ 5-petala, irregularis. _Filam_. 10 inaequalia: quorum 3. (raro 5) castrata.
_Fructus_ 5-coccus, rostratus: rostra spiralia introrsum barbata.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
PELARGONIUM _cordatum_ umbellis multifloris, foliis cordatis acutis dentatis, petalis inferis linearibus acutis. _Ait. Hort. Kew. p.
427._
GERANIUM _cordifolium_. _Cavan. Diss. p. 240. t. 117. f. 3._
[Ill.u.s.tration: No 165]
Our readers are here presented with the figure of another Geranium of modern introduction, not enumerated by LINNaeUS or MILLER, and which in point of beauty, duration of flowering, and facility of culture, is equal to most.
It was introduced to the Royal Garden, at Kew, from the Cape, by Mr.
Ma.s.sON, in 1774.
There are several varieties of it, but the one here figured is the most beautiful.
It strikes readily from cuttings, by which it is usually propagated.
Requires the same treatment as the more common Geraniums, and flowers, from March to July.
[166]
CHEIRANTHUS MARITIMUS. MEDITERRANEAN STOCK.
_Cla.s.s and Order._
TETRADYNAMIA SILIQUOSA.
_Generic Character._
_Germen_ utrinque denticulo glandulato. _Cal._ clausus: foliolis duobus basi gibbis. _Semina_ plana.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
CHEIRANTHUS _maritimus_ foliis ellipticis obtusis nudis scabriusculis, caule diffuso scabro. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. p. 597._ _Mantiss. p.
568._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. v. 2. p. 395._
LEUCOJUM minus flore violaceo. _Barr. Ic. 1127._
[Ill.u.s.tration: No 166]
LINNaeUS has described this plant minutely in his _Mantissa Plant_, so that no doubt remains of its being his _maritimus_.
With us, it has been customary for Gardeners and Nurserymen to distinguish this species by the name of Virginia Stock, a name highly improper, as it is found to be a native of the Mediterranean coast.
The blossoms which this plant first puts forth are of a lively red, in a few days they become of a blueish purple colour; to this variety of hues the plant owes its chief beauty.
Being of humble growth, and producing a profusion of bloom, which is of long duration, it is frequently used as an edging to borders, and sometimes sown in little patches with other annuals; in whatever way used, it contributes greatly to enliven the borders of the flower-garden.
It is one of those annuals whose seeds should be sown in the autumn, as it thereby comes much forwarder into bloom, and its blossoms are more lively than those arising from seeds sown in the spring; by varying the time of sowing, it may be had to flower in spring, summer, and autumn.
Small pots of it in bloom have a pretty appearance, and may be used to decorate the windows of those who reside in cities or great towns, where the pleasures of the garden are not to be enjoyed.
[167]
SOPHORA TETRAPTERA. WINGED-PODDED SOPHORA.
_Cla.s.s and Order._
DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
_Generic Character._
_Calyx_ 5-dentatus, superne gibbus. _Cor._ papilionacea: alis-longitudine vexilli. _Legumen._
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
SOPHORA _tetraptera_ foliis pinnatis foliolis numerosis (17--19) lanceolato-oblongis villosiusculis: leguminibus membranaceo-quadrangulis, caule arboreo. _Ait. Hort. Kew. p. 43._
