times erect or nearly closed) obovate round, notched or undulating. 
Stamens varying frum 8 to 15 or more; filaments purplish ; anthers 
orange-coloured. Ovary roundish ; style slender, longer than the sta- 
mens; stigmas seven, awl-shaped, reflex, downy or fringed with glan- 
dular ? hairs. 
Poputar anD GeocrapHicaL Notice. This plant is a native of 
the plains of Mendoza, in South America. It inhabits the most arid 
‘localities, and it is only under the influence of the most powerful light, 
which parches the ground of its place of growth, that it fully unfolds 
its handsome blossoms, which seem to return the fervid glow of the sun- 
beams. Few are the hours, and still fewer the days, in this country, 
that the atmosphere is sufficiently clear, and the light sufficiently strong 
to cause it to display all its beauties, but even the occasional exhibi- 
tion which it makes of them will recompense any lover of flowers for 
the care he may bestow upon it. It is in general between the hours 
of 9 and 12 that the flowers expand. Portulaca oleracea, and P. flava, 
when boiled, are eaten as pot-herbs ; but little use is made of the spe- 
cies of this genus, though Portulaca curassivica is used in the East 
Indies, against asthma and inflammation of the liver. Claytonia 
perfoliata and Claytonia cubensis are esculent, as are likewise the roots 
of Claytonia tuberosa, and Ullucas tuberosus. : 
InrropucTION; WHERE GROWN; CuLTurE. Seeds were brought 
to England, in 1827, by Dr. Gillies. Our drawing was derived from 
a plant which flowered in — at sat Henderson’s scenic! Pine 
Apple Place. Itis of short ti hould be fi tly increased, 
which may be most easily effected, for a single leaf, obit: laid upon 
. moist soil, will produce several plants. Except when growing, and 
setting for flower, it should not be watered, and then only sparingly. 
It must be kept in the stove, or a very dry greenhouse during the 
winter. 
DERIVATION OF THE NaMEs, 
PortvLaca,a word respecting the origin and meaning of which writers are not 
y some si is said to be from porto I carry, and lac, milk. Gilliesii, 
in compliment to Dr. Gillies, who brought the seeds from Mendoza. 
SYNONYMEs. 
pissin ah as 11. Hooker, in Botanical Magazine, folio 3064. Lindley, 
in Botanical Register, folio 1672. 
Boa ent ay 
