DESCRIPTIO. Frutex erectus, proliferus, tripedalis et ultra. _Rami_ teretes, lanâ densâ, niveâ undique vestiti; et ramulis numerosissimis, incipientibus, brevissimis, sæpe quasi reflexo-imbricatis, instructi. _Flores_ solitarii magni, squamis calycinis lanceolatis, lætissimæ et profundissime rubicundis, basin versus valde lanatis, superioribus sensim majoribus. REFERENCE TO THE PLATE. 1. An hermaphrodite floret magnified. 2. The chives, pointal and seed-bud magnified. 3. One of the scales of the empalement. 4. The receptacle. Few genera of plants attract attention so universally and deservedly, as those of the genus Xeranthemum. All the species it contains are at once the favourites of the Botanist, the Gardener, and the Florist. The former, with pleasing satisfaction, contemplates their polished beauties still undiminished in his herbarium; while the latter find them (if sufficiently guarded from humidity) of easy management and ready growth. They bloom annually, and their durable and highly finished empalements are gathered and used in decorating many a mantle-piece; long, very long after they have ceased to live: whence the name of Eternal Flower. Many species of Gnaphalium possess a similar durability; and we have seen dried bouquets of both united, which were extremely beautiful. The proliferous Eternal Flower is shrubby, commences flowering in May, lasts a long time in bloom, and in point of singularity and showiness yields to few of its congeners. It is a Cape plant: succeeds with the treatment of several species figured before by us; and is propagated by cuttings: was introduced some years since. Our figure was made from the Clapham collection. [Illustration] PLATE CCCLXXV. XERANTHEMUM BRACTEATUM. _Waved-leaved Eternal Flower._ CLASS XIX. ORDER II. _SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA._ Tips united. Superfluous Pointals. ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER. RECEPTACULUM paleaceum, aut nudum. Pappus setaceus. Calyx imbricatus, radiatus; radio colorato. RECEPTACLE chaffy, or naked. Feather bristly. Empalement tiled, rayed; the ray coloured. SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C. XERANTHEMUM, foliis alternis amplexicaulibus longo-lanceolatis undulatis, caulibusque erectis pubescentibus; receptaculis nudis, radice annua. XERANTHEMUM, with alternate stem-clasping long-spear-shaped waved pubescent leaves, pubescent erect stems, naked receptacles, and annual root. XERANTHEMUM bracteatum. _Vent. Jard. de la Malmaison, tab. 2._ REFERENCE TO THE PLATE. 1. A hermaphrodite floret magnified. 2. The chives, pointal and seed-bud magnified. 3. The pointal and seed-bud of a female floret magnified. 4. The receptacle. Xeranthemum bracteatum has the appearance of proving as hardy an annual as a China Aster or French Marygold; and if so, will prove a considerable acquisition to our open borders; as it ripens its seeds well, and they vegetate readily.