This is an annual, remarkable for the singular colour of its foliage; its flowers, though not very brilliant, possess a considerable share of beauty; both combined render it worthy a place in our gardens, more especially as it is a plant of easy culture, coming up spontaneously from self-sown seeds, and being a native of Switzerland, as well as the more southern parts of Europe, seedling plants produced in the Autumn rarely suffer by our winters. It flowers in July, August, and September. [334] HYPERICUM MONOGYNUM. CHINESE ST. JOHN'S-WORT. _Class and Order._ POLYADELPHIA POLYANDRIA. _Generic Character._ _Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Petala_ 5. _Nect._ 0. _Capsula._ _Specific Character and Synonyms._ HYPERICUM _monogynum_ floribus monogynis, staminibus corolla longioribus, calycibus coloratis, caule fructicoso. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 702. Hort. Kew. v. 3. p. 108._ [Illustration: _N^o. 334_] Of this genus 28 species are enumerated in the _Hortus Kewensis_ of Mr. AITON, 42 in Prof. MURRAY's _ed._ of the _Systema Vegetab._ and 64 in Prof. GMELIN's 13th ed. of _Linn. Syst. Nat._ of the latter number 14 are described with 5 styles, 46 with 3, 2 with 2 styles, and 2 with 1; when the term _monogynum_ was first applied to this species, it was a proper one, there being then only one in that predicament, another having since been discovered it ceases to be so now; some have indeed doubted the propriety of using the word _monogynum_ at all, alleging that in reality there are five styles, which manifestly shew themselves above, though they coalesce below; such is the opinion of my friend, Dr. GWYN; this is a point on which Botanists will think differently. This elegant native of China, now common in our greenhouses, appears from Mr. MILLER to have been first introduced to this country in 1753, by HUGH, Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND; he tells us, that the plants were raised in his Grace's curious garden at Stanwick, from whence the Apothecaries garden at Chelsea was furnished with it. Mr. MILLER has given us a minute description of this plant, which he observes is the more valuable, as it continues in flower great part of the year; he observes further, that if planted in a very warm situation, it will live in the open air, but that those plants which stand abroad will not flower in winter, as those do which are removed into shelter in autumn. It may be propagated by slips from the root, or by layers. [335] ONONIS ROTUNDIFOLIA. ROUND-LEAVED REST-HARROW. _Class and Order._ DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. _Generic Character._ _Cal._ 5-partitus: laciniis linearibus. _Vexillum_ striatum. _Legumen_ turgidum sessile. _Filamenta_ connata absque fissura. _Specific Character and Synonyms._ ONONIS _rotundifolia_ fructicosa, foliis ternatis ovatis dentatis, calycibus triphyllo-bracteatis, pendunculis subtrifloris. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 653. Ait. Kew. v. 3. p. 25._