The Botanical Magazine Volume I Part 6

~Hemerocallis Flava. Yellow Day-lily.~

_Cla.s.s and Order._

~Hexandria Monogynia.~

_Generic Character._

_Corolla_ campanulata, tubus cylindraceus.

_Stamina_ declinata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

HEMEROCALLIS _flava_ foliis lineari-subulatis carinatis, corollis flavis. _Linn. Syst. Veg. ed._ 14. _p._ 339.

LILIUM luteum, asphodeli radice. _Bauh. Pin._ 80.

The Yellow Day-Lily. _Parkins. Parad. p._ 148.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 19]

This Genus has been called _Hemerocallis_, in English, _Day-Lily_, from the short duration of its blossoms, but these are not quite so fugacious in this species as in the _fulva_.

It very rarely happens that Linnaeus, in his specific character of a plant, has recourse to colour, he has however in this instance; but this seems to arise from his considering them rather as varieties, than species. To us they appear to be perfectly distinct, and in addition to several other characters, the flava is distinguished by the fragrance of its blossoms.

This species is an inhabitant of Hungary and Siberia, and consequently bears our climate exceedingly well; it requires a moist soil, and a situation somewhat shady, and is easily propagated by parting its roots in autumn.

[20]

~Geranium Peltatum. Ivy-Leaved Geranium.~

_Cla.s.s and Order._

~Monadelphia Decandria.~

_Generic Character._

Monogyna. _Stigmata_ quinque. _Fructus_ rostratus. 5-coccus.

_Specific Character._

GERANIUM _peltatum_ calycibus monophyllis, foliis quinquelobis integerrimis glabris subpeltatis, caule fruticoso. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab.

ed._ 14. _p._ 613.

GERANIUM africanum, foliis inferioribus asari, superioribus staphidisagriae maculatis splendentibus et acetosae sapore. _Comm. Prael._ 52. _t._ 2.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 20]

A native of Africa, as are most of our shewy Geraniums, is not so tender as many others, and may be propagated very readily from cuttings.

A leaf, having its foot-stalk inserted into the disk or middle part of it, or near it, is called by Linnaeus, peltatum, hence the Latin trivial name of this plant. It may be observed, however, that some of the leaves have this character more perfectly than others.

The African Geraniums differ much from the European, in the irregularity of their Petals, but exhibit the character of the Cla.s.s _Monadelphia_ much better than any of our English ones, having their filaments manifestly united into one body; this species has only 7 filaments bearing antherae, but 3 barren ones may be discovered upon a careful examination, which makes it of the order _Decandria_.

[21]

~Iris Versicolor. Particoloured Iris.~

_Cla.s.s and Order._

~Triandria Monogynia.~

_Generic Character._

_Corolla_ 6-petala, inaequalis, petalis alternis geniculato-patentibus.

_Stigmata_ petaliformia, cucullato-bil.a.b.i.ata. Conf. _Thunb. Dis. de Iride._

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

IRIS _versicolor_ imberbis foliis ensiformibus, scapo tereti flexuoso, germinibus subtrigonis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed._ 14. _Murr. p._ 90.

_Sp. Plant. ed._ 3. _p._ 57.

IRIS Americana versicolor stylo crenato. _Dill. Elth._ 188. 1. 155. _f._ 188.

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 21]

A native of Virginia, Maryland, and Pensylvania, has a perennial root, is hardy, and will thrive in almost any soil or situation; may be increased by parting its roots in autumn.

Our plant is the _picta_ of Miller, and the _versicolor_ of Miller is, we believe, the _sibirica_ of Linnaeus.

This species has, for the most part, a stalk unusually crooked or elbowed, by which it is particularly distinguished. It flowers in June, as do most of this beautiful tribe.

[22]

~Nigella damascena. Garden Fennel-flower, Love in a mist, Devil in a Bush.~

_Cla.s.s and Order._

~Polyandria Pentagynia.~