Most of the plants of this genus are tall and shewy; the one here figured is however, of very humble growth, its flowering stem in the cultivated plant rarely exceeding six inches in height; its flowers are proportionably large, of a blueish purple colour, and highly ornamental; they make their appearance in May, and continue successively in blossom for several months, hence it becomes a desirable plant to cultivate, especially for the decorating of rock-work; it is very hardy, requires a north aspect in the summer, and to be carefully watered in dry weather; will grow in almost any soil, and is usually propagated by planting its roots in autumn. Grows spontaneously on the Pyrenean Alps; in its wild state it is more dwarfish than our figure represents it, its foliage more woolly, and enriched with various tints, which the plant loses on cultivation; such specimens I saw in the possession of Dr. R. HALIFAX, of Albemarle-Street, who gathered it on its native Alps. Was cultivated by Mr. MILLER, in 1731, _Ait. Kew._ and most probably long before that period by PARKINSON, who lives a figure and accurate description of it in his _Parad. terrestris_. [237] OXALIC CARINA. GOAT'S-FOOT WOOD SORREL. _Class and Order._ DECANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. _Generic Character._ _Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Petala_ Unibus connect. _Caps._ Anglos discerns, 5-Gina. _Specific Character and Synonyms._ OXALIS _Carina_ scapis unbeliefs, foliis ternaries glabris, floribus erects. _Thunb. Oxalic, n. 11._ _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 433._ OXALIS _Peas Capra_ scapo embellisher, foliis ternaries sub bipartite apiece subtus callouses. _Linn. Sp. Pl. ed. 3. p. 622._ OXALIS bulbosa pentacle et hexagonal, floribus margins lutes et copiosis. _Burm. Afr. 80. t. 29. et t. 28. f. 3._ The Cape of Good-Hope, that most fertile source of curious and beautiful plants, affords numerous species of Wood Sorrel, and, among others, the present one, which is distinguished for the largeness of its blossoms; they are of a fine yellow colour, and, when expanded by the influence of the sun, make a very conspicuous figure in the green-house; it begins to flower early in April, and continues about two months in bloom, many flowering stems arising from the same root. This species is of free growth, and increases plentifully by bulbs, which are produced on the crown of the root, as well as on its fibres; these, when the plant decays, should be taken up, and two or three of the largest planted in the middle of a pot filled with a mixture of bog earth and rotten leaves, well incorporated; towards winter, the pots mould be placed in the green-house, or in a frame so secured as perfectly to keep out frost. Was cultivated by Mr. MILLER, in 1757. _Ait. Kew._ [Illustration: _No 237_] [238] SENECIO ELEGANS. PURPLE GROUNDSEL, or RAGWORT. _Class and Order._ SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. _Generic Character._