tipped with a very small bunch of wool. Stamens 6, inserted
in the base of the perianthium, every other one longer than
the others: Jilaments broad at the base, more or less hollow
in front, and convex at the back, tapering upwards to a
sharp point, which is inserted into the base of the anther.
Ovarium reaching to the anthers, smooth, acutely triangular.
Stigma sessile, 3-lobed, the lobes short, scarcely reflexed at
the ends, somewhat pustulose.
We are glad now to have the opportunity of presenting
our readers with the true Tulipa Oculus Solis, which has
never been before published in any modern English publication
; the three figured in the Botanical Register all belong to
T. pracox, of Tenore, which is the one already figured in our
Flower Garden, which we received from Tenore himself; the
variety given by Mr. Bindley in the last Number of the Botanical
Register, 1419, is precisely the same figured in that
-work in a former Number, vol. 3, t. 304, and both are precisely
the same as ours, figured in the first series of our
Flower Garden, t. 157, so that the true Oculus Solis has
not been figured in the Register at a ll; the Persian Oculus
&/w, with its gigantic flower, and hairy, instead of woolly
bulb, is, without doubt, a very distinct species,
Our drawing of this beautiful species of Tulip was taken
from a bulb given us by our friend, Mr. W. Anderson, Curator
of the Botanic Garden at Chelsea; he received that,
and several other Italian species, from the Apothecaries’
Company, who had imported them from Italy as Colchicum
roots ; there are several beautiful species amongst them, but
we were rather too late in examining them this season,
having let H. strangulata go by of Reboul, without observing
it; but we have another species, the T. Bonarota of Reboul,
which, with its two beautiful varieties, will be figured in an
early Number; that, instead of having a black mark at its
base, like T. Oculus Solis, or Sun’s-eye Tulip, has a bright
azure blue one, and is a most beautiful plant. T. strangulata
is the worst of the three, but is nevertheless a most beautiful
and elegant plant.
For the derivation of the generic name, see p. 97, of the
present series.
I . The real species. 2 . A I.eaH(ifiil variety o f it. 3. Bulb. 4. Stamen. 5. The
3-si(le<l Ovarium, termmated by its large 3-lobed crested Stigma.