This handsome variety of the common Pomegranate, (for it cannot be considered as a species,) will, it is to be hoped, prove an agreeable addition to our gardens; though not as a fruit tree, yet as an ornamental plant, of the middling hardy class. Indeed we have little doubt of this, if we may judge by analogy, from its deciduous character, or from its natural affinities; as the other sorts of this species, viz. single red, double red, yellow flowered, and another new variety with large red blossoms and larger leaves, all endure our winters, with little, or no protection, in the southern, or western counties of the island; and are all natives of the same clime: from whence, no doubt, they, like the Orange-tree, &c. &c. have been originally transported; though at present considered as indigenous, to all the different countries on the coasts of the Mediterranean sea, where the single red is cultivated for its fruit; the agreeable acidity of which, is considered as a great luxury, in allaying the thirst occasioned by the intense heat, of those parching regions. In the month of April last year 1799, a fine branch, in full flower, was obligingly communicated by Lady Hume, from her select collection at Wormley Bury, Herts; from which our figure was taken, and where it was then flowering for the first time in England. Her Ladyship had received the plant, amongst a number of others, from China, in the year 1796. The fruit did not ripen, which we attribute to its being kept in the hothouse, to which situation, all plants coming from the East, are necessarily consigned on their first importation. The mode of increasing it is certain and easy, by cuttings, or layers; and it grows most luxuriant in light earth, composed of rotten leaves or rotten dung, and light sandy loam. [Illustration] PLATE XCVII. VACCINIUM FORMOSUM. _Red-twigged Whortle-berry._ CLASS VIII. ORDER I. _OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Eight Chives. One Pointal. ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER. CALYX superus. Corolla monopetala. Filamenta receptaculo inserta. Bacca quadrilocularis, polysperma. CUP superior. Blossom of one petal. Threads fixed to the receptacle. A berry with four cells, and many seeds. See Vol. I. Pl. XXX. VACCINIUM ARCTOSTAPHYLLUS. SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Vaccinium racemis pedicellisque bracteatis; foliis integerrimis, oblongis, acutis, glabris; calycibus adpressis; corollis sub-cylindraceis, costatis; stigma sub-exserta; stamina decem. Whortle-berry with floral leaves on the branch part of the bunch, as well as on the partial foot-stalks; leaves quite intire, oblong, pointed, and smooth; cups pressed to the blossom; blossoms nearly cylindrical, and ribbed; summit just without the blossom; ten chives. REFERENCE TO THE PLATE. 1. The Blossom and Cup. 2. The Chives and Pointal, magnified. 3. The Seed-bud a little advanced, with the Cup upon it. 4. A nearly ripe Berry, cut transversely, magnified.