&ORTH AMERICA* * 46 j 
CHAP. IX. 
After my return from the Creek nation, I em- 
ployed myfelf during the jfpring and fore part of 
fiummer, in revifiting the feveral diftridts in Geor T 
gia and the Eaft borders of Florida, where I had 
noted the molt curious fubjedts; collecting them 
together, and Chipping them off to England. In 
the courfe of thefe excurfions and relearches, I 
had the opportunity of obferving the new flower- 
ing fhrub, refembling the Gordonia*, in perfect 
bloom, as well as bearing ripe fruit. It is a flow- 
ering tree, of the firft order for beauty and fragrance 
of bloffoms : the tree grows fifteen or twenty feet 
high, branching alternately; the leaves are ob- 
long, broadeft towards their extremities, and termi- 
nate with an acute point, which is generally a little 
teflexed ; they are lightly ferrated, attenuate down- 
wards, and feffile, or have very fhor$ petioles ; they 
are placed in alternate order, and towards the extre- 
mities of the twigs are crouded together, but Hand 
more fparfealy below ; the flowers are very larger 
expand themfelves perfe&ly, are of a fnbw white 
colour, and ornamented with a crown or taffel 
of gold coloured refulgent flaming in their cen- 
tre, the inferior petal or fegment of the corolla 
is hollow, formed like a cap or helmet; and entirely 
includes the other four, until the moment of ex- 
panfion; its exterior furfece is covered with a 
ihort filky hair; the borders of the petals are 
* On firft obferving the fructification and habit of this tree, I was inclined 
to believe it a fpecies of Gordonia ; but afterwards, upon ftridter examina- 
tion, and comparing its flowers and fruit withthofe of the Gordonia lafian- 
tfius, I prefently found ftriking chara&eriftics abundantly fufficient to fe- 
parate it from that genus, and to eftablifh it the head of a new tribe, which 
have honoured with the name of the illuftrious Dr. Benjamin Franklini. 
Pranklinia Alatamaha. 
H h crifped 
