os PLATE CCCCKL 
SOPHORA SERICEA. 
Silky-leaved Sophora. 
CLASS X. 
ORDER IL 
DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Ten Chives. One Pointal. 
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER. 
Caryx quinquedentatus, superne gibbus. Co- 
rolla papillonacea, alis longitudine vexilli, 
Pericarpium, legumen, 
Empa.ement five-toothed, the upper ones gib- 
bose, or gouty. Blossom butterfly-shaped, 
with the wings the length of the standard. 
Seed-vessel, a pod. 
SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 
Sorora, foliis sericeis, oblongis, alternatis, 
pilo mollissimo lucido omnino tectis, apice 
acutis, revolutis, ad basin stipulis parvis ; 
floribus simplicibus, axillaribus, pallide pur- 
pureis ; caulis argenteus. 
Sornora with silky leaves, oblong, alternate, 
and entirely covered by a very soft shining 
hair, sharp-pointed, and rolled back, with 
small stipule at their base; flowers grow 
singly from the axillz of the leaves, and of 
a pale purple ; stem silvery. 
(ne RR a 
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE. 
1. The empalement. 
2. The standard. 
3. One of the wings. 
4, The keel. 
5. The chives and pointal. 
6. The same magnified. 
7. Seed-bud and pointal, summit magnified. . 
ER 
Tuts delicate Sophora may literally be said to be an old plant with a new face, as we have been long 
familiar with the foliage, but entirely unacquainted with its flowers, till very lately we found it in 
Juxuriant bloom (and we believe for the first time in this country) in the conservatory of G. Hibbert, esq. 
this month (December), probably not the regular period of its inflorescence, but the effect of casualty 
assisted by the uncommon mildness of the sefson. 
It would be a vain endeavour to attempt to do 
justice to the beautiful shining silky appearance of the leaves; and when aided by its delicate purple 
flowers, its attraction is equal, if not superior, to any of the genus. The want of freedom in its flowering 
is a defect not entirely confined to this species only, but is in some degree attached to most Sophoras. It 
is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and amis as much air as can with safety be administered to 
it in this country, 
