29 
THYSANOTUS PROLIFERUS. 
(free-flowering THYSANOTUS.) 
CLASS. ORDER. 
HEXANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
NATURAL ORDER. 
LILIACE^. 
Generic Character. — Vide vol. vi. p. 243. 
Specific Character. — Plant an evergreen herbaceous perennial. Stems erect, from one to two feet high, 
leafy at the base. Leaves linear, channelled, sub-glaucous, very smooth, longer than the scape. 
Umbels two or three, one above the other, at the summit of the scape, sessile. Bracts numerous, 
linear, acuminate, rough at the margin. Sepals linear, acuminate. Petals oblong, violet-coloured, 
with a feathered margin, and a bluish streak down the middle. Stamens three, opposite to the 
petals, equal, dark-purple, curved downwards. Style white. Ovary three-celled ; cells two -seeded. 
Neat as was the species of this genus ( T. intricatus) figured in our December 
number for 1839, the subject of present notice will gain largely by comparison. 
We do not here seek to disparage the former, but would merely remark that as 
that plant is doubtless deserving attention, the one now described is pre-eminently 
so. Nevertheless, although this superiority is at once manifest, Dr. Lindley in his 
observations upon it in the Botanical Register, says, " it is much to be regretted 
that the many beautiful species of this genus found in New Holland should be 
unknown in our gardens, for neither the size nor the brightness of the petals in this 
species are at all to be compared with those of several others. These,'*'' he adds, 
" have from time to time been introduced, but they have always been speedily lost 
after their importation." 
Plants possessing these attractive characteristics are obviously to be desiderated, 
and it is hoped that with the frequent consignments now arriving, some means 
may be adopted for conserving them when received. It is surprising that species 
of this nature, when known to be more than ordinarily valuable, should have their 
health endangered by strongly excitative treatment. Yet such is the common fate 
of most rare plants that are very tender or easily injured. Inordinate solicitude 
