low, slender at the base'and thickening upwards, but becoming
again very slender where it is attached to the base
of the anthers. Ovarium bristly or setiferous, the setse becoming
strong prickles as the capsules become large. Stigmas
5 or 6, distinctly spreading, hollow or pitted at the
points, dark purple. Capsule oblong, glaucous, neaidy
equal in size throughout, deeply 5 or 6-channelled, the
angles rather acute," very spiny; the spines unequal in
length, some of them very long and recurved, the shorter
ones straight. Seeds numerous, brown, glossy, rugged,
winged on the side that they are attached to the capsule.
The present plant is readily distinguished from A. mexicana
by its narrower, deeper divided, and sharper leaves,
by the shape and the deep channels of the capsules, and
very readily by its distinctly spreading stigmas,_ those in
A. mexicana being so crowded together that it is difficult
to separate th em; from the other two species it is very
readily distinguished at first sight. It is a very handsome
annual plant, attaining the height of three or four feet, and
continuing to bloom from August to October, and may be
raised from seeds sown in the open border in April, or if
wanted to bloom early, the seeds may be sown in February
or March, on a gentle hot-bed, or in pots in the Greenhouse,
from whence they may be planted in the open borders in
April or Alay, thriving well in the common garden soil,
and seeds ripen in abundance, by which any quantity may
be raised.
The specimens from which our drawing was made, were
kindly sent to us by Robert Barclay, Esq. in whose superb
collection at Bury-hill they were raised last Spring from
seeds received from Alexico, at the same time as A. grandiflora.
Mr. Cameron informs us that they were sown on
a hot-bed in Spring, and from thence planted into the open
borders; he has also lately informed us that he thinks
A. grandiflora will prove perennial, as the plants are producing
suckers from their roots, but the present, he says,
is strictly annual.
1. The 3 Sepals o f the. Calyx in different views. 2. Three o f the Stamens d e tached
to show their form. 3 . Capsule full grown. 4 . Stigmas, showing their
distinct spreadin" habit.
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