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P L A T E XXXIX.
E C H I U M FEROCISSIMUM.
Prickly Viper s Buglofs.
C L A S S V. ORDER I.
PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Five Chives. One Pointal.
E S S E N T I A L GENERIC CHAKACTEE.
C O R O L L A irregularis, fauce nuda. BLOSSOM irregular, mouth naked.
See E CHIUM GRANDIFLORUM, Plate X X .
S P E C I F I C CHARACTER.
Echium caule fruticofo; ramis, foliifque aculeatis;
floribus fpicatis, violaceisj corollis
fub-sequalibus.
Viper's Buglois, with a ilirubby item; branchés
and leaves covered with iliarp prickles;
flowers growing in fpikes, and violet coloured;
blolToms nearly equal.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Empalement.
2. A Bloffom cut open, to iliew the infertion of the Chives in the tube.
3. The Shaft and its Summit, magnified.
A L T H O U G H there are few fpecies of this genus, but are rough, or hairy; yet this by far exceeds any of
them, or almoft any other plant not adually fpiny, for its extreme coarfenefs to the toucii; neverthelefs
it is a veiy handlbme fliewy greenhoufe plant, growing to the height of two feet, and blowing
freely. Tt is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and was introduced by MeiTrs. Lee and Kennedy
in 1794; at whofe nurfery it flowered for the firft time, this year, in the month of July. The only
method of propagating the Cape Echiums is by cuttings, and that is done with great diflSculty; of
courfe, this, as well as the other fpecies, are very fcarce: tliey delight moil in rich light mould.