_Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Cor._ 5-petala. _Nect. Squamulae_ 5 cum filamentis alternantes; et glandulae melliferae, basi staminum insidentes. _Fructus_ 5-coccus, rostratus; rostra spiralia, introrsum barbata. _L'Herit. Geran._ _Specific Character and Synonyms._ ERODIUM _incarnatum_ pedunculis paucifloris, foliis tripartitis ternatisve trifidis scabris, caule fruticuloso. _L'Herit. n. 21. tab. 5._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 415._ GERANIUM incarnatum pedunculis bifloris, foliis tripartitis trifidis glabris, petalis integris, arillis glabris. _Linn. Suppl. Pl._ GERANIUM _incarnatum_ foliis incisis quinquelobis punctatis; petiolis longissimis, pedunculis trifloris. _Cavanill. diff. 4. p. 223. n. 314. t. 97. f. 3._ In the 80th number of this work we gave a figure of the _Pelargonium tricolor_, a plant very generally regarded as the most beautiful of the genus; we now present our readers with the representation of an _Erodium_, which has to boast nearly an equal share of admiration. This species, as we learn from the _Hortus Kewensis_, is a native of the Cape, and was introduced by Mr. MASSON in the year 1787. Its usual time of flowering is July and August; in this point it is inferior to the _Pelargonium tricolor_, which blossoms through the spring as well as summer months. It produces seeds but sparingly; cuttings of the plant are struck with less difficulty than those of the _Pelargonium_ above mentioned, the same treatment is applicable to both plants, they must be regarded as green-house plants of the more tender kind, which are liable to be destroyed in the winter season by a moist cold atmosphere. [262] MESEMBRYANTHEMUM AUREUM. GOLDEN FIG-MARIGOLD. _Class and Order._ ICOSANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. _Generic Character._ _Cal._ 5-fidus. _Petala_ numerosa linearia. _Caps._ carnosa infera polysperma. _Specific Character and Synonyms._ MESEMBRYANTHEMUM _aureum_ foliis cylindrico-triquetris punctatis distinctis, pistillis atro purpurascentibus. _Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 10. p. 1060._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 190._ This Mesembryanthemum is one of the taller and more upright species, as well as the earliest in point of flowering, producing its blossoms from February to May; these are large and of a bright orange hue, the pistilla in the centre are purple, and serve at once to distinguish and embellish them. It was first described in the _10th ed._ of _Linn. Syst. Nat._ and afterwards inserted in the _Hort. Kew._ of Mr. AITON, who informs us that it is a native of the Cape, and was cultivated by Mr. MILLER, in the year 1750. Prof. MURRAY omits it in his _12th ed._ of the _Syst. Vegetab._ of LINNAEUS, as does Prof. GMELIN in the last edition of _Linn. Syst. Nat._ The facility with which this tribe in general is increased by cuttings is well known; this is raised as readily as the others. [Illustration: No 262] [Illustration: No 263] [263]