lanceolate, keeled, all reflexed, the upper one largest 
and bluntest. Nectariferous tube large, slightly angu- 
lar, thickly clothed with short hairs, about three times 
longer than the calyx. Petals 5, nearly equal, 2-parted, 
the divisions rnultifidly laciniate, or divided into nume- 
rous branching linear sharp-pointed segments; two 
upper ones of a pale yellow, lower ones of a brownish 
purple. Stamens 10, connected at the base, seven bear- 
ing anthers ; filaments smooth, ascending ; anthers in- 
cumbent, purple ; pollen orange-coloured. pale, 
hairy on the lower part, and smooth upwards. Stigmas 
5, flesh-coloured, spreading. 
Several plants of this most curious species were re- 
ceived by Mr. Colvill, from the Cape, in 1821 ; some of 
them flowered last summer, when our drawing was 
taken. Its divided petals seem to be quite an ano- 
maly in the family. Its nearest relatives are P. elegans 
and P. ovale, with which it agrees in the number and 
direction of its stamens, and with whom we should 
place it in a natural arrangement ; on the other hand, 
it agrees with the tribe to which P. triste and V. lobatum 
belongs in its colour and expansion in the evening, but 
differs entirely in its scent, which is rather unpleasant 
than otherwise, and is not very unlike to the scent of 
some species of Ambrosia. 
Like the other tuberous-rooted species, it succeeds 
well in a mixture of light turfy loam, peat, and sand ; 
requiring but little water when in a dormant state. It 
may be increased, but slowly, by the tubers from its 
roots. 
