Flower-buds purple, on short pedicels ; in expanding changes 

 to bright blue. Peduncles hairy. Calyx five-parted, hairy. 

 Stamens on short filaments inserted on the bearded throat of 

 the corolla. 



This plant, although introduced as far back as 1777, is by 

 no means common in our gardens : this cannot be on account 

 of a deficiency in point of attraction. The colour of the 

 bloom is of a splendid blue, somewhat approaching to purple, 

 while the bud is of a most beautiful purple. In the herbaceous 

 border it is evidently a showy plant ; it shoots up with many 

 branches to the height of about five feet, producing fine pe- 

 duncles of flowers during the months of May, June, and July. 

 It is considered in many works as a biennial, but it is known 

 to last four or five years: when once established it is not 

 very readily eradicated, from its dropping its seeds, as well as 

 from the roots being so tenacious of life that small pieces being 

 permitted to remain in the ground will spring up and produce 

 plants. 



It is a native of Madeira, and thrives best in sandy ground, 

 but will grow very well in light garden mould. A large spe- 

 cimen of this plant may be seen in the herbaceous ground at 

 Chelsea Botanic Garden, where Mr. Anderson, the curator, 

 stated it had thrived for many years. The figure given here 

 was taken from a specimen growing in a pot. It is cultivated 

 is some nurseries under the name of Anchusa italica^ but this 

 is a distinct species. 



KEFEKENCE TO THE PLATE. 



Corolla cut open, showing the insertion of the stamens. 



