The VEGETABLE SYSTEM. 
79 
are only little Films from the receptacle, fuch as may be found in moft 
of the Aggregate Clafs, feparating Flower from Flower ; but in thefe 
Plants, their large fize and filvery appearance, makes them more ob- 
fervable. Let none wonder they are not named in the character of the 
Genus ; a Plant may be a true Stcebe without them ; and in other in- 
ftances, their variations arc fo great, and their prefence or abfence of 
fo little imDort, that they have no proper place in fuch characters : for the 
Ihorter thefe are, fo they be perfectly diftinCt, the better. 
GENUS II. 
THREAD WORT. 
B R U N I A. 
Chara£ler of the Genus. 
The Head is convex ; the general Cup is hemifpheric, and 
compofed of a great number of oval, pointed Scales in 
many ranges. The feparate Flowers are formed of five 
Petals, narrow at the Bafe, and fpreading at the Rim. 
Plate 45. o. a b c. 
1. JOINTED THREAD WORT. 
Plate 45. Fig. 1. 
Character of the Species. Brunia nodiflora. 
The Leaves grow in fours, furrounding the Stalk, and form- 
ing the appearance of a kind of Joints. 
Fig. 1. a b. 
This is a perennial, native of the Cape of Good Hope ; a very 
beautiful, though low Plant, flowering in June and July. It grows to 
more than two feet in heighth ; but the Stem is weak, though woody 
at the bafe, and ufually leans for fome part of its length upon the 
ground. It is brown or reddilh in that part, but elfewhere pale and 
green ill). The Leaves are of a very ftrong and fine green ; the Flowers 
are of a fine, though pale crimfon, abundantly making up in the ele- 
gance of colour what is wanting in its ftrength. 
z\ DOWNY 
