Part 8

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule three-sided, three cells, three valves.

SEEDS many, nearly round.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Hemerocallis, foliis cordatis, petiolatis; corollis cæruleis.

Day Lily, with leaves that are heart-shaped, and have foot-stalks; the blossoms blue.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Chives, and Pointal, as placed in the Blossom. 2. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summit. 3. A Seed of the shape and size when ripe.

The variety of character exhibited in this new species of Hemerocallis, so different from its congeners, in foliage, flower, and seed; would almost induce us to think like Gærtner, a generic division necessary; if we were not withheld, by that strong rule of Linnæus, (from which, it will be a leading feature of this work, not to swerve) not to increase the number of genera, but where absolutely necessary. This species, as well as a white variety, which has been figured by Kæmpfer; and continued since him by Welldenow, in his new Species Plantarum, under its present denomination; is a native of China, and introduced to our gardens from thence by G. Hibbert. Esq. of Clapham, from whose most extensive and beautiful collection this specimen was taken. It is as yet cultivated as a hothouse plant, where it flowers in the spring months, perfecting its seeds: perhaps when better known, it may be found, like many Chinese plants, to bear our climate. It is propagated as well by parting its roots, as from the seeds.

PLATE VII.

PRIMULA CORTUSOIDES.

Siberian Primrose.

CLASS V. ORDER I.

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX. Involucrum polyphyllum, multiflorium, minimum. Perianthium monophyllum, tubulatum, pentagonum, quinquedentatum, acutum, erectum, persistens.

COROLLA. Monopetala. Tubus cylindraceus, longitudine calycis, terminatus colo parvo hemisphærico. Limbus patens, semi-quinquefidus; laciniis obcordatis, obtusis. Faux pervia.

STAMINA. Filamenta quinque, brevissima, intra collum corollæ. Antheræ acumenatæ, erectæ, conniventes, inclusæ.

PISTILLUM. Germen globosum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine calycis. Stigma globosum.

PERICARPIUM. Capsula teres, longitudine fere perianthii, unilocularis, dehiscens apice decem dentato.

SEMINA numerosa, subrotunda. Receptaculum ovato-oblongum, liberum.

EMPALEMENT. Fence of many leaves, including several flowers, and small. Cup one leaf, tubular, five-sided, five-toothed, sharp, upright, and remaining.

BLOSSOM. One petal. Tube cylindrical, the length of the cup, terminated by a short hemispherical neck. Border spreading, half cut into five divisions; the segments are inversely heart-shaped, and blunt. Mouth open.

CHIVES. Five threads, very short, within the neck of the blossom. Tips pointed, upright, approaching, within the tube.

POINTAL. Seed-bud globular. Shaft thread-shaped, the length of the cup. Summit globular.

SEED-VESSEL. Capsule cylindrical, nearly as long as the cup, of one cell, opening at the top, with ten teeth.

SEEDS numerous, and roundish. Receptacle oblong egg-shaped, and loose.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Primula, foliis petiolatis, cordatis, sub-lobatis, crenatis; corollis lætè purpureis.