LINNAEUS has described this plant minutely in his _Mantissa Plant_, so that no doubt remains of its being his _maritimus_. With us, it has been customary for Gardeners and Nurserymen to distinguish this species by the name of Virginia Stock, a name highly improper, as it is found to be a native of the Mediterranean coast. The blossoms which this plant first puts forth are of a lively red, in a few days they become of a blueish purple colour; to this variety of hues the plant owes its chief beauty. Being of humble growth, and producing a profusion of bloom, which is of long duration, it is frequently used as an edging to borders, and sometimes sown in little patches with other annuals; in whatever way used, it contributes greatly to enliven the borders of the flower-garden. It is one of those annuals whose seeds should be sown in the autumn, as it thereby comes much forwarder into bloom, and its blossoms are more lively than those arising from seeds sown in the spring; by varying the time of sowing, it may be had to flower in spring, summer, and autumn. Small pots of it in bloom have a pretty appearance, and may be used to decorate the windows of those who reside in cities or great towns, where the pleasures of the garden are not to be enjoyed. [167] SOPHORA TETRAPTERA. WINGED-PODDED SOPHORA. _Class and Order._ DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. _Generic Character._ _Calyx_ 5-dentatus, superne gibbus. _Cor._ papilionacea: alis-longitudine vexilli. _Legumen._ _Specific Character and Synonyms._ SOPHORA _tetraptera_ foliis pinnatis foliolis numerosis (17--19) lanceolato-oblongis villosiusculis: leguminibus membranaceo-quadrangulis, caule arboreo. _Ait. Hort. Kew. p. 43._ SOPHORA _tetraptera_. _Job. Miller ic. tab. 1._ [Illustration: No 167] The magnificent and highly curious species of Sophora here represented, is one of the many plants discovered by Sir JOSEPH BANKS at New-Zealand, where it forms a tree of a considerable size. A finer sight can scarcely be imagined than a tree of this sort, extending to a great breadth on a wall with a western aspect, in the Apothecaries Garden at Chelsea, where it was planted by Mr. FORSYTH about the year 1774, and which at this moment (April 28, 1791) is thickly covered with large pendulous branches of yellow, I had almost said golden flowers; for they have a peculiar richness, which it is impossible to represent in colouring; in the winter care is taken to cover it carefully with mats, least it should suffer from any extraordinarily severe weather. It usually produces a few seed vessels of an uncommon form, having four wings, whence its name of _tetraptera_; from some of the seeds which have ripened in this country plants have been raised, and by these the plant is found to be propagated with the most success; it may also be increased by cuttings and layers. [168] IRIS PAVONIA. PEACOCK IRIS. _Class and Order._ TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. _Generic Character._