only bearing anthers, which are often void of pollen. 
Germen and arillus villous. Sti/le dark red, hairy at 
the base, and smooth on the upper part. Stigmas 5, 
purple, re volute. 
This is one of the earliest flowering species of this 
genus with which we are acquainted, being generally 
in full bloom before any of the other kinds begin to 
open, which makes it a very desirable plant; it is also 
as hardy as most of the others, and thrives well in a 
rich light soil. Cuttings strike root freely planted 
under a hand-glass, or in pots of mould placed in a 
sheltered situation. Our drawing was taken from a 
plant at Mr. Dennis's nursery the latter end of March. 
According to the Hortus Kewensis a native of the Cape 
of Good Hope, from whence it was introduced in 1785 
by Mr. Archibald Thompson: we believe no coloured 
figure of it has ever been published before the present. 
