Part 81

Pomegranate with lance-shaped leaves, and tree-like stem.

DIFFERENCE IN VAR.

Punica Gra: Foliis majoribus, pallidioribus; floribus sub-albidis.

Pomegranate with larger and paler leaves; flowers nearly white.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. A Flower cut open, to shew the insertion of the Petals and Chives, into the cup; with the situation of the Pointal. 2. The same shewn from the reverse side.

This handsome variety of the common Pomegranate, (for it cannot be considered as a species,) will, it is to be hoped, prove an agreeable addition to our gardens; though not as a fruit tree, yet as an ornamental plant, of the middling hardy class. Indeed we have little doubt of this, if we may judge by analogy, from its deciduous character, or from its natural affinities; as the other sorts of this species, viz. single red, double red, yellow flowered, and another new variety with large red blossoms and larger leaves, all endure our winters, with little, or no protection, in the southern, or western counties of the island; and are all natives of the same clime: from whence, no doubt, they, like the Orange-tree, &c. &c. have been originally transported; though at present considered as indigenous, to all the different countries on the coasts of the Mediterranean sea, where the single red is cultivated for its fruit; the agreeable acidity of which, is considered as a great luxury, in allaying the thirst occasioned by the intense heat, of those parching regions. In the month of April last year 1799, a fine branch, in full flower, was obligingly communicated by Lady Hume, from her select collection at Wormley Bury, Herts; from which our figure was taken, and where it was then flowering for the first time in England. Her Ladyship had received the plant, amongst a number of others, from China, in the year 1796. The fruit did not ripen, which we attribute to its being kept in the hothouse, to which situation, all plants coming from the East, are necessarily consigned on their first importation. The mode of increasing it is certain and easy, by cuttings, or layers; and it grows most luxuriant in light earth, composed of rotten leaves or rotten dung, and light sandy loam.

PLATE XCVII.

VACCINIUM FORMOSUM.

Red-twigged Whortle-berry.

CLASS VIII. ORDER I.

OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Eight Chives. One Pointal.

ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.

CALYX superus. Corolla monopetala. Filamenta receptaculo inserta. Bacca quadrilocularis, polysperma.

CUP superior. Blossom of one petal. Threads fixed to the receptacle. A berry with four cells, and many seeds.

See Vol. I. Pl. XXX. VACCINIUM ARCTOSTAPHYLLUS.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Vaccinium racemis pedicellisque bracteatis; foliis integerrimis, oblongis, acutis, glabris; calycibus adpressis; corollis sub-cylindraceis, costatis; stigma sub-exserta; stamina decem.

Whortle-berry with floral leaves on the branch part of the bunch, as well as on the partial foot-stalks; leaves quite intire, oblong, pointed, and smooth; cups pressed to the blossom; blossoms nearly cylindrical, and ribbed; summit just without the blossom; ten chives.

REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.

1. The Blossom and Cup. 2. The Chives and Pointal, magnified. 3. The Seed-bud a little advanced, with the Cup upon it. 4. A nearly ripe Berry, cut transversely, magnified.

From the number of different new and old known species, of this genus, which we have been enabled to examine this spring; and of which drawings have been made, (a figure from one of them being intended to be given in each successive No. till they are finished;) we are more fully confirmed, in what was asserted in a former part of the work, that V. Arctostaphyllus, with the greater part of those plants, now known as Vacciniums, should be placed in Decandria. It is true, a certain latitude has been given by Linnæus, in an observation on the genus, by allowing, that a fourth in addition to the usual number is frequently found, in the different parts of the flower. But when so essential a part of the fructification is, with a very few exceptions, constant through a numerous genus, we cannot but think, in a system, founded chiefly on that basis, that in such case, the mere character of the fruit should give way to first principles; and that those with ten chives should be placed to Andromeda. Or, if the distinction of a dry, from a moist capsule, should be thought of sufficient weight, on which to form a new genus, those species, with ten chives, and berries, might be so arranged. Indeed, the difference in the general habit, of those with ten, from those with eight chives, would well warrant such an alteration. But such a change we have declined making, upon the grounds we have, and are determined to pursue; not to alter any established name, if even a little erroneous; but only to point out the error, or the apparent necessary alteration.

This species of Whortle-berry was first introduced, (according to the Kew Catalogue,) in 1770, by Mr. William Young, from N. America; and is consequently hardy enough to bear the severity of our common winters. It should be planted in sandy peat earth, on a dry, sheltered border. It is propagated by layers, which should be put down in spring, and taken off the succeeding summer. The leaves of this species are deciduous, when planted in the open ground; but, if kept in the greenhouse, where it will be found very ornamental, it becomes an evergreen. Our figure was made at the nursery, Hammersmith, in May this year.

PLATE XCVIII.

PULTENÆA DAPHNOIDES.

Daphne-like Pultenæa.

CLASS X. ORDER I.

DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Ten Chives. One Pointal.