Triandria. 
( '4 ) 
T Y G E R I X I A. 
T H I S I received from China: it is alfo a Native of the A M E R i c A N 
Continent ; but if the}^ meant to figure it, who gave the firft Accounts 
of a Flos Tigridis, they were very ill Defigners. This deferves all 
the Praife theirs had for Elegance ; and will be a fovereign Beauty in our Col* 
le6Hons. 
The Plant is feven Foot high : the Stalk is thick, firm, jointed, and tinged with 
Crimfon. The Leaves are long and flagg)', of a frelh Green, and firm by means 
of vaft Ribs ; they furround the Stalk at their Bafe ; and are there Whitilh within. 
The Flowers fpread from the Summit in a broad loofe Clufief, extremely Ipe-* 
cious, and not lefs fingular : no Eye could mifs admiring them at a Diftance, of 
being more charmed on a nearer View. Each has fix Petals : thefe are placed in two 
Series, three in each. Thofe of the outer Series are larger, but thole of the inner are 
more richly painted. Linn^us errs, who calls the fix Petals of the IxiA equal : this 
Plant manifeftly Ihews the contrary. The Colours are a delicate Yellow, and a 
full Crimfon, and they are thus difpofed upon the Flower. The three outer Petals 
are yellow from their Bafe to three fourths of their Length, and in all that Part 
they are Ipotted like the Tyger’s Skin, with Crimfon ; on their Points they have the 
the lame Crimfon, but fomewhat paler, throughout the whole Surface. This is the 
colouring of the inner Part of thefe Petals ; the Outlide is Yellow, and the Crimfon 
Spots are only carried lightly along the Edges. The three inner Petals are more 
uniformly marked ; they are Yellow throughout, and are all over fpotted with 
this elegant Crimfon. 
Three Filaments rife from the Bafe of the Flower with yellow Buttons, them* 
felves' of a fine Crimfon ; and they furround a fingle Style, whitilh, and 
divided into three Parts at the Head, or Stigma. The Rudiment of the Seed Veflel 
hands under the Flower, and is triangular, and filled with many Seeds. 
The three Filaments Very diftin(£l:ly Ihew the Plant belongs to the Triandria, 
the third Clafs in the Sexual Syftem. 
Its natural Habitation is the defart fun-burnt Sand of the Indies ; and it thrived 
no where fo well as in the Neighbourhood of the Sea ; , not on the Shore, but at 
half a Mile, or a Mile Diftance. Its tuberous Roots lie deep beneath the Surface 
twelve or fifteen Inches, and it propagates itfelf fo faft, that there are Leagues 
of the Sand covered with it. 
Our Gardeners Ihould regard this Particularity of Plants that love fome Influence 
of the Sea Salt, tho’ they do not grow upon the abfolute Shore. We have fome 
Trefoils, and other English Species, which have the fame Quality; never being 
found on the Shore, nor ever far from it. The Influence of Sea Water reaches a 
great Way. A little Sea Sand in the Mould wherein thefe Plants are propagated, 
would anfwer the Purpofe ; and they would thrive much better, becaufe their 
Nourifhment would be more natural. 
Ixia foliis enfiformibus, floribus remotis. Llniir 
