This genus approaches so near to Ornithogalum, that they may easily be mistaken for each other; the only visible distinction resting in the unexpanding character of the three inner petals, or calyx; for opinions vary with respect to their denomination--Jussieu, an able botanist (through all the divisions of this family), regarding that as the empalement which we, following Linnæus, describe as petals. In the Species Plantarum of Willdenow we find our plant enumerated under the specific title of fastigiata, with a technical description annexed to it. From a plant in the garden of G. Hibbert, esq. about three years ago, we made a drawing of this Albuca, but are inclined to think it rather scarce, not having seen it since that period. [Illustration] PLATE CCCCLI. DIOSMA ERICÆFOLIA. _Heath-leaved Diosma._ CLASS V. ORDER I. _PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal. ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER. COROLLA 5-petala. Nectaria 5 supra germen. Caps. 3. s. 5, coalitæ. Semina tecta. BLOSSOM. Five petals. Five nectaries above the seed-bud. Seed-vessels 3 or 5, joined together. Seeds covered. SPECIFIC CHARACTER. DIOSMA foliis alternis, linearibus, acutis, notatis: floribus in umbellis paniculatis, parvis, albis. DIOSMA with alternate leaves, linear, sharp-pointed, and marked. Flowers grow in paniculated umbels, small, and white. REFERENCE TO THE PLATE. 1. A leaf magnified. 2. The empalement magnified. 3. Seed-buds, honey-cups, chives, and pointal. 4. A chive magnified. 5. The honey-cups magnified. 6. Seed-buds and pointal, magnified. This new species of Diosma so nearly resembles the genus Erica in its foliage, that, regarding it as an unequivocally good specific reference, we have adopted it. The only place in which we have as yet seen it was at the Cape nursery last December, where we observed several plants in fine bloom; and although not showy, they are certainly estimable from their neat and delicate appearance, particularly at a season when so many of the beauties of vegetation are in a state of quiescence. Upon comparing our figure with a fine dried specimen of the D. hirsuta in the herbarium of A. B. Lambert, esq., we find so powerful a resemblance as induces us to regard our plant as only a variation of culture, more especially as in the magnifier slight vestiges of the hairs on the edges of the leaves are still discernible. But no fear need be entertained of any mode of culture rendering our present specific term impervious to the naked eye. There is a dotted or punctured character which pervades the under surface of the foliage of most Diosmas, many of which, when rubbed, emit a powerful odour. The present subject, although deficient in both those respects, still possesses a peculiarity that we have thought deserving a magnified place in the dissections. It is a hardy green-house plant, and a native of the Cape of Good Hope. [Illustration]