Pedicles glandularly hairy, and clothed with numerous
small short hairs besides. Ovarium also densely clothed
with glandular hairs. Calyx red, tubular, inflated at the
base, also clothed with glandular hairs, and numerous little
glandless ones besides; limh 5-cleft, spreading: segments
ovate, bluntly rounded, darkest at the back, and paler on
the upper side. Petals erect, obovate, very small, scarcely
half the length of the segments of the calyx, lilac-coloured,
inserted in the mouth of the calyx. Stamens 5, alternate
with the petals, and inserted between them: jilaments smooth,
inserted in the back of the anther, a little above its base :
anthers 2-lobed, bursting in front for the exclusion of the
pollen. Style smooth, exserted beyond the petals and
stamens. Stigma 2-\oheA.
This species of Ribes is of great importance to the embellishment
of Gardens, particularly shrubberies and clumps,
it being inferior in elegance to no hardy shrub we possess.
Early in Spring it is clothed with innumerable pendulous
racemes of purplish-red flowers. For many years it has
been known to Botanists in a dried state ; but it is to
that indefatigable traveller, Mr. David Douglas, that we
owe the introduction of it to our Gardens. So long ago
as 1787, according to Mr. Douglas, Archibald Menzies, Esq.
discovered this species near Nootka Sound, on his first
voyage round the world ; and since, on his second voyage
with the celebrated Vancouver, in various parts of North
VVest America. According to Mr. Douglas, it is the most
^mmon species at Point George, near the confluence of
Columbia River. The Horticultural Society received the
seeds from whence the plants in our gardens were raised,
from Mr. Douglas, in October, 1826, forwarded across the
Continent of America. It is as hardy as the common currant,
and is propagated by planting cuttings in the Spring,
or Autumn. The plant flowers in great profusion about the
T April, and beginning of May. Mr. Douglas says,
that if the bushes were planted in a soil having a portion of
lime rubbish mixed with it, the blossoms would be more
profuse, and the colour, probably, of a deeper tint.
Ribes is a narne which was given to an acid plant, by
the Arabian physicians, which is supposed to be the plant now
called Rheu?n Ribes.
Style^ and Sti"nfa skewing the insertion o f the Stamens. 3. Ovary,