ones ovate, concave, scarcely acute, membranaceous,
glossy, strongly 4 or 5-nerved, the nerves hairy. Petals
5, broadly obovate, distinct or slightly imbricate,
pale rose-colour, yellow at the base, dying off nearly
white. Stamens numerous, about 80: filaments long,
bright yellow : pollen golden yellow. Germen clothed
with a short dense tomentum. Style smooth, about the
length of the Stamens, nearly straight or slightly bent
at the base, thickening upwards. Stigma capitate, papillose.
Our drawing of the present pretty plant was taken
at the Nursery of Mr. J. Mackay, at Clapton, where it
was grown with a fine collection of other species, in a
border at the front of the Greenhouses, and made a
splendid appearance, when all were covered with bloom.
The present species is a native of Spain, and endures
our Winters well in the open ground, except when they
are very severe, thriving well in rock-work, or on a dry
bank, and producing its flowers all the Summer and
till late in Autumn; the flowers are very variable in
colour, at first bright rose, then changing to a dull
lilac or flesh colour, and at length becoming pale blush,
which gives the plant a singular appearance: if the
Winters are at any time unusually severe, it will be
best to protect it a little with some slight covering, or
if some plants are kept in small pots in frames through
the Winter, they will be ready to turn out where they
may be wanted in Spring; a light sandy soil suits it
best; and young cuttings, planted under hand-glasses
the latter end of Summer or Autumn, will root readily.