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each side: the limb flat, ovate, acute, of a rosy- lilac: rays
of the crown linear. Stamens 10, five inserted in the base of
the petals, and five alternate with them inserted in the receptacle.
Filaments smooth, exserted, attached to the back
of the anthers. Ovarium smooth, cylindrical or nearly so,
about half the length of the pedicle on which it is seated.
Styles 3, smooth. Stigmas simple.
In the year 1816 we recollect seeing two or three rows
of this fine species in flower at the Nursery of Messrs. W hitley,
Brames, and Milne, at Fulham, but it did not ripen
any seeds, and we have never observed it since, until the
present Summer, when we were again gratified with the
sight of it in full bloom, in the rock-work, and in the borders,
of the Apothecaries’ Company’s Garden at Chelsea,
where it had been raised from seeds the year before by Mr.
W. Anderson, and from his plants our drawing was made;
we afterwards received fine flowering specimens of it from
Mr. Barclay’s collection, at Bury Hill, where it was raised
from seeds received from Mr. Hunnemann: it is certainly a
plant that may rank amongst the finest of the hardy border
plants ; but being biennial, and apparently not free to produce
seeds, it is very likely to become lo st; but if a little
pains were taken with it when in bloom, to apply the pollen
to the stigmas, there would not be the least fear but plenty
of seed might be obtained, as it would be a great pity if so
fine a plant should be again lost for want of taking a little
pains to make it produce seed; it is quite hardy; the seed
may either be sown in pots, or in a little bed in the open
ground, in March, and from thence be transplanted where
they are to remain to flower. It is a native of Mount Caucasus
and Tauria, and is certainly the S. compdcta of
Marschal Bieberstein and other authors, but as certainly not
that of Otth in Decandolle’s Prodromus, which is described
with the upper leaves lanceolate, and the lower ones linear;
the petals are also said to be obovate; that certainly has
nothing to do with the present plant.
For the derivation of the generic name, see folio 40, of
the present series.
1. Calyx, showing the inflated upper part of the tube. 2. The 5 Petals, with the
5 Stamens inserted in the base of the unguis. 3. The other 5 Stamens inserted on the
pedicle, on which the ovarium is placed, and which is inclosed in the base of the calyx.
Ovarium seated on the pedicle, divested of the calyx, terminated by three slender Styles.