Volume I Part 6 (2/2)

[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.~

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