Part 25

Though it may be considered by some, as deviating from the botanical rule we prescribed to ourselves, at the outset of this work, not to figure any flower, but what could be systematically ascertained; double flowers, &c. having lost those constituent characters necessary to the Sexual System; yet having seen this most delightful plant in bloom last year, the temptation was too powerful to be resisted, for giving a figure of it in the Botanist’s Repository. This fine variety of the Camellia, was first imported from China about the year 1793, by Captain Connor of the Carnatic East-indiaman, for the gardens of the late I. Slater, Esq. a gentleman of most indefatigable spirit, for the introduction of new plants to this kingdom; indeed, it is to him we owe most of the plants received from China within these few years; he having procured a catalogue to be printed of all the described Chinese plants in that language, with the descriptions translated, and by various hands transmitted it to that country. The finest plants in this kingdom, of the double white Camellia, are now in the collection of Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. P.R.S. This, like the others of this genus, we may consider of sufficient hardiness to resist our winters; being a native of the Japanese isles, where, as well as in China, it was seen by Thunberg. As yet (from its scarcity) that cannot be ascertained; but from the easy method by which it is propagated by cuttings, we are in hopes it soon may. It is at present cultivated as a hot-house plant, where certainly it will be always seen in the greatest perfection; the flowers being of so delicate and brilliant a white, their beauty is easily destroyed, even by watering. Flowers in the autumnal months, and thrives best in rich loam.

PLATE XXVI.

CRASSULA ODORATISSIMA.

Sweet-scented Crassula.

CLASS V. ORDER V.

PENTANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. Five Chives. Five Pointals.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Perianthium pentaphyllum; foliolis lanceolatis, canaliculato-concavis, erectis, acutis, conniventibus in tubum, persistentibus.

COROLLA. Petala quinque, unguibus longis, linearibus, rectis, conniventibus, reflexo-patentibus.

Nectaria quinque; singulum squamula minima, emarginata basi germinis extrorsum annexa.

STAMINA. Filamenta quinque, subulata, longitudine tubi, unguibus corollæ inserta. Antheræ simplices.

PISTILLUM. Germina quinque, oblonga, acuminata, desinentia in stylos subulatos, longitudine staminum. Stigmata obtusa.

PERICARPIUM. Capsulæ quinque, oblongæ, acuminatæ, rectæ, compressæ, longitudinaliter introrsum dehiscentes.

SEMINA plura, parva.

EMPALEMENT. Cup of five leaves; the small leaves are lance-shaped, concave and channelled, upright, sharp, formed into a tube, and remaining.

BLOSSOM. Petals five, claws long, linear, upright, joined together, bent back, and spreading.

Honey-cups five, each consisting of a small scale notched at the end, and fixed on the outside the base of each seed-bud.

CHIVES. Five threads, awl-shaped, the length of the tube, fixed into the claws of the blossom. Tips simple.

POINTAL. Seed-buds five, oblong, pointed, ending in awl-shaped shafts, the length of the chives. Summits blunt.

SEED-VESSEL. Five capsules, oblong, pointed, upright, pressed together, and opening inwards along the seam.

SEEDS, many, small.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Crassula foliis oppositis, amplexicaulibus, ciliatis, linearibus; floribus capitatis, odoratissimis, luteis.

Crassula with opposite leaves that embrace the stem, fringed and linear; the flowers grow in bunches, are sweet-scented and yellow.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Empalement.

2. A Blossom cut open to shew the insertion of the threads.

3. One Petal of the blossom.