It obviously differs from the other more tender plants of this genus, in the colour of its flowers, which are of a fine scarlet, with large white somewhat rhomboidal spots, on several of the lowermost divisions of the Corolla; strong plants will throw up a stem three or four feet high.

It is most probably a native of the Cape, flowers with us in July and August, and is increased by offsets from the bulbs; must be treated like the Ixias and other similar Cape plants.

[136]

PELARGONIUM TETRAGONUM.  SQUARE STALKED GERANIUM.

Class and Order.

MONADELPHIA HEPTANDRIA.

Generic Character.

Cal. 5-partitus, lacinia suprema definente in tubulum capillarem,
      nectariferum, secus pedunculum decurrentem. Cor. 5-petala,
      irregularis. Filamenta 10, inaequalia:  quorum 3 (raro 5)
      castrata. Fructus 5-coccus, rostratus:  rostra spiralia,
      introrsum barbata.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

PELARGONIUM tetragonum pedunculis bifloris, ramis tetragonis carnosis,
      corollis tetrapetalis, L’Herit. n. 72. t. 23.

GERANIUM tetragonum. Linn.  Suppl. p. 305.

[Illustration:  No 136]

A vein of singularity runs through the whole of this plant, its stalks are unequally and obtusely quadrangular, sometimes more evidently triangular; its leaves few, and remarkably small; its flowers, on the contrary, are uncommonly large, and what is more extraordinary have only four petals; previous to their expansion they exhibit also an appearance somewhat outre, the body of the filaments being bent so as to form a kind of bow, in which state we have represented one of the blossoms in our figure.

When it flowers in perfection, which it is not apt to do in all places, the largeness of its blossoms renders it one of the most ornamental of the genus.

There is a variety of it with beautifully coloured leaves, of which we have availed ourselves in its representation.

It flowers from June, to August, and September; requires the same treatment as the more common Geraniums, and is readily propagated by cuttings.

Was first introduced to the Royal Garden at Kew, by Mr. MASSON, in 1774, from the Cape, of which, it is a native. Ait.  Hort.  Kew.

[137]

HYPERICUM BALEARICUM.  WARTY ST. JOHN’S-WORT.

Class and Order.

POLYADELPHIA POLYANDRIA.

Generic Character.

Calyx 5-phyllus. Petala 5. Nectarium 0. Capsula.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

HYPERICUM balearicum floribus pentagynis, caule fruticoso foliis
      ramisque cicatrizatis. Linn.  Syst.  Veget. p. 102.

MYRTO-CISTUS pennaei Clus.  Hist. 1. p. 68.