38 
THE LADIES’ FLOWER-GARDEN 
GENUS II. 
RULINGIA R. Br. THE RULINGIA. 
Un. Syst. PENTANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. 
Generic Character. — Petals five, eoucave at tlie base, and ligulate. Sterile stamens five, undivided. Ovarium five-celled, cells two-seeded. 
Description, &c. — The species belonging to this genus are natives of New Holland, near Port Jackson. They 
are very nearly allied to Commersonia, a genus of stove plants. The genus is named in honour of John Philip 
Ruling, Esq., author of an “ Essay on the Natural Orders.”- 
1. --RULINGIA DASYPHYLLA B. Br. THE HAIRY-LEAVED RULINGIA. 
Synonvmes. — Commersonia das}’pbylla Andr.', Byttneria dasy- 
pliylla Cray. ; Lasiopetalum dasyphyllum Cels. 
Engraving.— Bot. Rep., t. 603. 
Specific Character. — Leaves ovate, lanceolate, unequally serrated, 
hairy on both surfaces. Mucrones of the petals exceeding the calyx. 
(G. Bon.) 
Description, &c. — This species is a low branching shrub, a native of New Holland and Van Diemen’s Land, 
whence it was introduced in 1780. It grows freely in a conservatory in this country, and is ornamental from the 
rich browTi hail’s which cover the leaves, and the abundance of its terminal columns of flowers. These flowers are 
of a brilliant white, and though they are vei’y small when examined individually, they are exceedingly ornamental 
from their great abundance, and they are valuable from being produced in early spring when few plants are in 
flower. These flowers are remarkable for their strong smell of cucumber, which they do not lose even when they 
are dried. 
OTHER SPECIES OP RULINGIA. 
R. PANNOSA E. Br. ; Bot. Mag., t. 2191. 
The leaves of this species are clothed with white tomentum, and the flowers are white ; but as they are 
produced ui very small clusters, the plant is not at all ornamental. It was introduced in 1800. 
R. HERMANNIiEFOLIA Bee. 
A native of New Holland ; introduced in 1828. 
GENUS HI. 
LASIOPETALUM Smith. THE LASIOPETALUM. 
Lin. Sysi. PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Generic Character. — Calyx permanent. Petals five. Filaments five, free, or connate at the base. Ovary one or three-celled, cells 
containing two or more ovules. Capsules tliree-valved. 
Description, &c. — These are very ornamental plants, all natives of New Holland. The genus has been 
divided into four genera ; but as the plants are generally found under their old names in the nurseries, I have not 
thought it necessary to divide them here. The name of Lasiopetalum is from two Greek words signifying woolly- 
petaled, in allusion to the calyx being woolly. 
