Volume Vi Part 7 (2/2)

It is to be sown in the same manner as other hardy annuals; will flower earlier if the seeds have been raised in autumn.

The upper part of the stalk, as well as the leaves of the calyx, are beset with viscous hairs, in which respect it does not perfectly accord with LINNaeUS's description. _Vid. Sp. Pl. ed. 3. p. 854._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[201]

PELARGONIUM BICOLOR. TWO-COLOURED CRANE'S-BILL.

_Cla.s.s and Order._

MONADELPHIA HEPTANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-part.i.tus: lacinia suprema desinente in tubulum capillarem, nectariferum, secus pedunculum decurrentem. _Cor._ 5-petala, irregularis. _Filam._ 10, inaequalia: quorum 3 (raro 5) castrata.

_Fructus_ 5-coccus, rostratus: _rostra_ spiralia, introrsum barbata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

PELARGONIUM _bicolor_ umbellis multifloris, foliis ternatifidis lobatis dentatis undulatis villosis. _L'Herit. n. 64._ _Ait. Hort.

Kew. v. 2. p. 425._

GERANIUM bicolor. _Jacq. Hort. 3. p. 23. t. 39._ _Cavan. diss. 4.

p. 248. t. 111. f. 1._

In every numerous tribe of plants, many of the species approach so near to each other, that there is much difficulty in distinguis.h.i.+ng them; this objection cannot be urged against the present plant, which obviously differs from all the others of the same genus in the particular shape of its leaves and the colour of its blossoms, the latter are usually of a rich and very dark purple edged with white, from whence we apprehend it takes its name of _bicolor_; the colours however are scarcely distinct enough to justify such a name.

Mr. AITON informs us in his _Hort. Kew._ that this very ornamental species was introduced in the year 1778, by JOHN, the late Earl of BUTE, but of what country it is a native, does not appear to be ascertained.

Our drawing was made from a plant in the collection of Messrs. GRIMWOOD and Co. Kensington, with whom it flowers from June to August.

It is not disposed to ripen its seeds, nor is it very readily increased by cuttings.

[202]

LUPINUS PERENNIS. PERENNIAL LUPINE.

_Cla.s.s and Order._

<script>