_Generic Character._ _Corollae_ labium superius integrum, fornicatum; lab. infer. 2-lobum; faux utrinque margine dentata. _Specific Character and Synonyms._ LAMIUM _Orvala_ foliis cordatis inaequaliter arguteque serratis, corollis fauce inflata, caulibus coloratis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 534._ LAMIUM maximum sylvaticum alterum. _Bauh. Pin. 231._ GALEOPSIS maxima pannonica. _Clus. hist. 2. p. 35._ Hungary Dead-Nettle, or the Dragon Flower. _Park. Parad. p. 385._ [Illustration: No 172] Few of the plants of this genus have been thought to possess sufficient beauty for the flower-garden, the present one excepted, the magnificence of whose blossoms justly entitles it to rank with the more curious, if not the most beautiful of the vegetable tribes. Though not common in our gardens, it has long been introduced, having been cultivated and accurately described, though badly figured, by PARKINSON in his _Parad. terr._ It grows spontaneously in the woods of Italy and Hungary, and flowers with us about the latter end of April, at which time, if cold winds prevail, it is apt to be injured, unless placed in a sheltered part of the garden. It may be propagated either by seeds, or by parting its roots in autumn, is a hardy plant and grows readily. [173] AITONIA CAPENSIS. CAPE AITONIA. _Class and Order._ MONADELPHIA OCTANDRIA. _Generic Character._ Monogyna. _Cal._ 4-partitus. _Cor._ 4-petala. _Bacca_ sicca, 4-angularis, 1-locularis, polysperma. _Specific Character and Synonyms._ AITONIA _Capensis_. _Linn. Suppl. Pl. p. 303._ _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 612._ COTYLEDON foliis linearibus, flore quadrifido, fructu subrotundo. _Burm. Afric. 53. t. 21. s. 2._ [Illustration: No 173] This genus, of which there is only one known species, has been named by the younger LINNAEUS, in honour of Mr. WILLIAM AITON, author of the _Hortus Kewensis_, and Botanic Gardener to his Majesty. The great length of time[5], Mr. AITON has been engaged in the cultivation of plants, the immense numbers which have been the constant objects of his care through every period of their growth, joined to his superior discernment, give him a decided superiority in the _prima facie_ knowledge of living plants over most Botanists the present day; his abilities in the other line of his profession, are displayed in the eulogies of all who have seen the royal collection at Kew, which he has the honour to superintend. The Aitonia is a native of the Cape, and was introduced by Mr. MASSON, in the year 1774. It is a greenhouse shrub of slow growth, seldom exceeding three feet in height; producing, when of sufficient age, flowers and fruit through most of the year; the fruit is a large dry angular berry, of a fine red colour. Our drawing was made from a very fine plant, formerly Dr. FOTHERGILL'S, now in the collection of Messrs. GRIMWOOD and Co. Kensington.