The V E G E T A B L E S Y S T E M, 
81 
4. SCALY THREADWORT. 
Plate 46. Fig. 2. 
Chara£ler of the Species. Brunia Abrotanoifies. 
The Leaves are lanc’d ; and they cover the Stalk like {bales 
of fifties. 
Fig. 2. a b 
This is alfo a perennial, woody Plant, native of the Cape; and of 
very lingular beauty. The Stem is brown ; the Branches are crimfon ; 
but they are in mod places fo covered with Leaves, that it is fcarcely 
feen; thefe are of a dead whitilh green. The Heads are larger than in 
any other of this Genus ; and the Flowers are blue ; their colour, like 
that of the former, is fcarce to be defcribed ; and is fo unlike all that 
we ufually fee under that name in the Flowers of Plants, that the firft 
fight of it aftonifhes and confounds one. It is a very pale blue, and 
feems throughout fuffufed with white ; but there is a delicacy in its 
palenefs, quite different from all we are acquainted with, except among 
the Gemms ; for there are certain pale fapphires like it ; but thefe 
mud be yet paler and brighter to anfwer the refemblance, than thofe 
mentioned on a former like occafion. It flowers in its native foil the 
greatefl part of the year; with us in Auguft. 
5. WOOLLY THREADWORT. 
Plate 47. 
Chara&er of the Species. Brunia Ievifana. 
The Leaves are oval and obtufe ; and they are covered with 
an exceeding fine fhort woolly matter. 
Plate 47. a. 
This is a perennial, woody Plant, as the four preceding, native of 
the fame place, and, like them, of very great beauty. We admire many 
things from the Cape of Good Hope ; but fcarce any deferve that admi- 
ration more than thefe. The Stem of this is ufually brown, with a 
tinge of crimfon. It lies upon the ground in part; and what rifes up 
feldom exceeds a foot and a half in heighth. The Branches are innu- 
merable ; they are crimfon, but it is a colour rarely feen, the Leaves 
cover them fo entirely ; they fpread widely and wildly toward the top, 
and one Plant will thus afford a crown of three feet fquare, fet loofely 
and irregularly, but very beautifully, with vaft Heads of Flowers. The 
L Leaves 
