pules, also very much fringed. Pedicles downy, nodding
before expansion, nearly erect when in bloom,
afterwards reflexed. Calyx of 5 sepals, the 2 outer ones
very small, oblongly linear, bluntish, much fringed
with bristly hairs, the three inner ones slightly pubescent,
elliptically lanceolate, concave, acute, transparent
and membranaceous, strongly 4-nerved, the nerves
green, and thinly clothed with hairs, the points also
tipped with hairs. Petals 5, distinct, very much spreading,
not at all imbricate, obovate, very narrow at the
base, of a bright yellow colour, with an elegant orange
coloured circle near the base. Stamens about 70 ; filaments
long and slender, about the length of the style,
pale yellow. Germen clothed with silky hairs. Style
nearly straight, smooth, thickening upwards. Stigma
capitate, papillose.
The present species is readily distinguished from all
others by its leaves growing in a distichous form. It is
a native of Somersetshire, we having discovered it there
in the Autumn of 1826, when we visited that part ; we
observed it in a bye-lane, leading from Failand-hill to
the Farm of Mr. J. Mattocks, of Honour, near Port-
bury, and no other sort grew there ; we have been since
informed by Mr.T. Harding,Gardener to the Rev. F. Bea-
don, of North Stoneham, Hants, to whom we showed
our figure, that he also observed it near Wells, in Somersetshire,
where he was immediately struck with it as a
distinct species; it is quite hardy, and is a very pretty
plant for decorating rock-work, thriving well in any
light sandy soil. Cuttings of it root readily, planted under
hand-glasses, the latter end of Summer or Autumn.
Our drawing was made at the Nursery of Mr. Colvill,
of the King’s-road, Chelsea.