3. One of the Wings of the same. 4. The two Petals of the Keel. 5. The Chives, a little magnified. The Prickly Psoralea is not a new plant in our collections; for, it was first introduced by Mr. F. Masson to the Royal Gardens at Kew, as we learn from the Catalogue, in the year 1774. But although so long a sojourner with us, it is not found in many collections, owing to the difficulty in its increase, as it seldom ripens its seeds; and cuttings, the only remaining method, but seldom succeed; although by taking them from a vigorous growing plant and giving them the assistance of the bark-bed of the hothouse, early in March, a few plants have been procured occasionally. Our drawing was made from a most beautiful plant in the Clapham Collection, last year, in the month of August. [Illustration] PLATE CXLVII. GLADIOLUS CUSPIDATUS. _Spear-spotted Gladiolus._ CLASS III. ORDER I. _TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Three Chives. One Pointal. ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER. COROLLA sexpartita, ringens. Stamina adscendentia. BLOSSOM six divisions, gaping. Chives ascending. See GLADIOLUS ROSEUS. Plate XI. Vol. I. SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Gladiolus foliis lineari-ensiformibus, glabris; corolla ringente; laciniis longissimis, acuminatis, undulatis, subæqualibus, tribus inferioribus in medio macula oblonga notatis. Gladiolus with leaves that are linearly sword-shaped and smooth; blossom gaping; segments very long, tapered to the point, waved and nearly equal, the three lower in the middle have an oblong spot. REFERENCE TO THE PLATE. 1. The two sheaths of the Empalement. 2. A blossom cut open, with the Chives remaining attached. 3. The Seed-bud, Shaft, and Summit. The Gladiolus here figured, represents a variety of one of the most errant species of the Genus, known commonly by the name of Spade Gladiolus, and of which we have drawings of eight, quite distinct; yet all, unquestionably, originating in one common parent. It was introduced in 1796, from the Cape of Good Hope, by Mr. R. Williams, nurseryman of Turnham-green, near Brentford; is a very hardy greenhouse bulb, increases from the root in abundance, if planted in very sandy peat earth, and flowers about the Month of April, or May. [Illustration] PLATE CXLVIII. LACHENALIA QUADRICOLOR. _Four-coloured Lachenalia._ CLASS VI. ORDER I. _HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Six Chives. One Pointal. ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER. COR. 6-petala, infera; petalis 3 interioribus longioribus. Stamina erecta. Capsula subovata, trialata. Semina globosa. BLOSS. 6-petals, beneath; the three inner petals the longest. Chives erect. Capsule nearly egg-shaped, three winged. Seeds globular. SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Lachenalia foliis geminis, lineari-lanceolatis; scapo erecto; corollis propendulis, cylindricis, quadricoloratis, cum limbo petalorum interiorum patulo.