ferous tube sessile, flattened and channelled on each 
side, longer than the calyx. Petals 5, cuneate, flat 
and distinct, the two uppermost widest : in var. a. of 
a reddish purple, with a dark velvetty spot in the 
centre, and light margins, the upper petals have also 
several linear spots and lines from the base; in var. (3. 
the petals are altogether lighter, with much broader 
and whiter margins. Filaments 10, united at the base, 
upper one flat and spathulate, like the others of this 
section, but terminated with an anther, which makes 
the seventh that bears anthers. Pollen of a brown 
colour. Germen villous. Style red, hairy. Stigynas 
5., red and revolute. 
This pretty species is an old inhabitant of our gar- 
dens, having been cultivated in this country, accord- 
ing to Hortus Kewensis, ever since the year 1778, when 
it was introduced by John Earl of Bute. There are 
two very distinct varieties, one with dark, the other 
with lighter coloured flowers : our figure represents the 
former, and we have added a single flower of the other 
at the bottom of the plate, to show the difference. It 
is a very desirable species for any collection, as it con- 
tinues in flower nearly all the summer: the best mould 
for it is an equal portion of turfy loam, peat, and sand. 
Cuttings strike root readily, planted in the same kind 
of soil, and placed on a shelf in the greenhouse. Our 
drawing was taken at the collection of Robert H. Jen- 
kinson, Esq. last summer. 
We have seen two very curious plants belonging to 
this section in flower this season, at Mr. Colvill's nur- 
sery, that were received last year from the Cape ; one of 
them is the Geranium luridum of Andrews, with leaves 
very much like Hura crepitans^ and was named by us, 
in Mr. C.*s Catalogue, P. hurcefolium, as we had not 
then seen its flowers; the other we believe to be P. mul- 
tiradiatum of Sprengel, with leaves v^ry like a large 
Fern, or an umbelliferous plant. 
