This elegant plant is the purple variety mentioned in our last Vol. Pl. 373. and flowered at the same time, with completely double flowers, and so equal in point of beauty, that we hesitated some time before we could determine to which we should give the preference. But had we seen the purple one in its present semi-double state, it would undoubtedly have claimed precedence, as well from its preserved botanic character, as its superior beauty. The singular versatility of these plants we were entirely unacquainted with when we figured the rose-coloured one; as, since that period, we have seen them in bloom with single flowers, the following year with double ones; and again the year after we found this purple one in the semi-double state which our figure represents, the plant then bearing five-and-twenty flowers in full perfection, forming a coup-d’œil superior to any shrub we have ever seen. [Illustration] PLATE CCCCXLIX. LINUM TRIGYNUM. _Three-styled Golden Flax._ CLASS V. ORDER V. _PENTANDRIA PENTAGYNIA._ Five Chives. Five Pointals. GENERIC CHARACTER. CALYX. Perianthium pentaphyllum, lanceolatum, erectum, persistens. COROLLA. Petala infundibuliformia quinque, oblonga, superne sensim latiora, obtusa, patentia. STAMINA. Filamenta quinque subulata, erecta, longitudine calycis (rudimenta filorum insuper 5, alternantia). Antheræ simplices, sagittatæ. PISTILLUM. Germen ovatum. Styli 5, filiformes, erecti, longitudine staminum. Stigmata simplicia, reflexa. PERICARPIUM. Capsula globosa, pentagona, decemlocularis, quinquevalvis. SEMINA solitaria, ovato-planiuscula, acuminata, glabra. EMPALEMENT. Cup five-leaved, lance-shaped, upright, and remaining. BLOSSOM. Funnel-shaped petals five, oblong, widening upwards by degrees, obtuse, and spreading. CHIVES. Five filaments, awl-shaped, upright, the length of the calyx (there are five alternate slight rudiments of threads). Anthers simple, and arrow-shaped. POINTAL. Seed-bud ovate. Shafts 5, thread-shaped, and upright, the length of the stamens. Summits simple, and reflexed. SEED-VESSEL. Capsule globular, five-sided, ten-celled, five-valved. SEEDS solitary, of a flattish oval form, sharp-pointed, and smooth. SPECIFIC CHARACTER. LINUM trigynum, foliis alternis, ovatis, glabris, apice acuminatis: floribus in ramis simpliciter terminalibus: corolla aurea, magna: ramulis alternis, numerosis, viridibus. FLAX with three pointals; leaves alternate, ovate, and smooth, pointed at the end: flowers terminate the branches singly: blossoms gold colour, and large: the smaller branches alternate, numerous, and green. REFERENCE TO THE PLATE. 1. The empalement. 2. One of the petals. 3. Chives and pointals. 4. A chive magnified. 5. Seed-bud and pointals, a summit magnified. 6. The seed-bud cut transversely, magnified.