271 
PENTSTEMON ARGUTUS. 
(CUT-LEAVED PENTSTEMON.) 
CLASS. ORDER. 
DIDYNAMIA. ANGIOSPERMIA. 
NATURAL ORDER. 
SCROPHUL ARI AC EM. 
Generic Character. — Vide vol. iv. p. 243. 
Specific Character — -Plant slightly suffruticose, growing from three to four feet high, covered in all 
its members with very short indistinct pubescence. Stems numerous, much branched towards the 
base, round. Leaves opposite, partly connate, upper ones lanceolate, lower spatulate, obtuse, with 
a great number of irregular serratures, deep green on the upper surface, and much paler below. 
Calyx equally divided into five ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, usually serrated segments, persistent. 
Corolla bilabiate; upper lip composed of two equal, rounded, slightly recurved divisions ; lower lip 
of three somewhat larger ones ; bright purple, tinged with blue towards the summits of the lobes. 
Stamens four, inserted at regular distances in the base of the corolla tube, and curving so as to lie 
in pairs near the mouth of the upper lip, with a barren one lying between them. Style rather longer 
than the stamens, resting on the lower lip, bearded on the upper side for about one third of its length. 
Capsule two-celled, rather compressed at the sides, with a little protuberance at the apex. 
On the numerous distinguished traits of this truly invaluable genus, we have 
previously had occasion to descant, in the emphatic style which we usually employ 
when depicting the fairer features in Flora's enchanting attire. Every constituent of 
her many-coloured mantle has its own individual charm, and, when viewed under 
auspicious circumstances, imparts a delight distinct both in kind and degree ; but 
her brighter ornaments are dispersed with such consummate skill, that it is very 
rarely we meet with anything approaching to an aggregation. In the genus 
Pentstemon, however, this phenomenon most markedly occurs ; as it is composed of 
plants which, for beauty, elegance, and everything that can render these delightful 
objects desirable, have few rivals. 
We are induced to bestow upon them this glowing panegyric, because, as 
hinted in a former number of this volume, they are lamentably disregarded ; and 
if we succeed in persuading any of our readers to investigate their claims to 
extensive culture, our design will have been fulfilled. Figures of several intensely 
interesting kinds will be found scattered through this Magazine ; and we have now 
