Volume V Part 10 (1/2)

AITONIA _Capensis_. _Linn. Suppl. Pl. p. 303._ _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed.

14. Murr. p. 612._

COTYLEDON foliis linearibus, flore quadrifido, fructu subrotundo. _Burm.

Afric. 53. t. 21. s. 2._

[Ill.u.s.tration: No 173]

This genus, of which there is only one known species, has been named by the younger LINNaeUS, in honour of Mr. WILLIAM AITON, author of the _Hortus Kewensis_, and Botanic Gardener to his Majesty. The great length of time[5], Mr. AITON has been engaged in the cultivation of plants, the immense numbers which have been the constant objects of his care through every period of their growth, joined to his superior discernment, give him a decided superiority in the _prima facie_ knowledge of living plants over most Botanists the present day; his abilities in the other line of his profession, are displayed in the eulogies of all who have seen the royal collection at Kew, which he has the honour to superintend.

The Aitonia is a native of the Cape, and was introduced by Mr.

Ma.s.sON, in the year 1774.

It is a greenhouse shrub of slow growth, seldom exceeding three feet in height; producing, when of sufficient age, flowers and fruit through most of the year; the fruit is a large dry angular berry, of a fine red colour.

Our drawing was made from a very fine plant, formerly Dr. FOTHERGILL'S, now in the collection of Messrs. GRIMWOOD and Co. Kensington.

It is only to be raised from seeds, which are sparingly produced in this country.

[174]

BUDDLEA GLOBOSA. ROUND-HEADED BUDDLEA.

_Cla.s.s and Order._

TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 4-fidus. _Cor._ 4-fida. _Stamina_ ex incifuris. _Caps._ 2-fulca, 2-locularis, polysperma.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

BUDDLEA _globosa_ foliis lanceolatis, capitulis solitariis. _Ait. Hort.

Kew. p. 150. V. 1._

BUDLEJA _globosa_. _Hope in Act. Harlem, V. 20. part. 2. p. 417. t. 11._

PALQUIN _Feuil. it. 3. p. 51. t. 38._

[Ill.u.s.tration: No 174]

Mr. ADAM BUDDLE, in honour of whom the present genus has been originally named by Dr. HOUSTON, was an ingenious English Botanist, cotemporary with, and the friend of PETIVER; his name is often mentioned in the _Synopsis_ of Mr. RAY and his _Hortus Siccus_, or dried collection of British plants, preserved in the British Museum, still resorted to in doubtful cases.

The present species not enumerated either by LINNaeUS or MILLER, is a native of Chili, and according to the _Hort. Kew._ was introduced by Messrs. KENNEDY and LEE, in 1774.