123._

LILIUM _Spectabile_ foliis sparsis; floribus solitariis erectis;
petalorum unguibus angustis, alternis extus utrinque sulcatis,
laminis revolutis. _Salisb. Ic. Stirp. rar. t. 5._

At the close of the year 1787, Mr. ROBERT SQUIBB, sent me from
South-Carolina roots of the Lily here figured, many of which have since
flowered with various persons in this kingdom.

CATESBY in his Natural History of Carolina, gives a figure and short
account of it; WALTER in his _Flora Caroliniana_ describes it under the
name of _Lilium Catesbaei_; Mr. SALISBURY in the first number of his very
magnificent work, lately published, presents us with a very highly
finished likeness of this lily, accompanied by a most accurate and
minute description of it, and judging from some appearances in CATESBY'S
figure, that it was not the _Lilium Catesbaei_ of WALTER, names it
_spectabile_; but as we are assured by Mr. SQUIBB, who assisted his
friend WALTER in his publication, that it was the lily figured by
CATESBY, we have continued the name given in honour of that Naturalist.

Of the different Lilies cultivated in this country, this is to be
numbered among the least, the whole plant when in bloom being frequently
little more than a foot high; in its native soil it is described as
growing to the height of two feet; the stalk is terminated by one
upright flower, of the form and colour represented on the plate; we have
observed it to vary considerably in the breadth of its petals, in their
colour, and spots.

It flowers usually in July and August.

This plant may be raised from seeds, or increased by offsets, which,
however, are not very plentifully produced, nor is the plant to be made
grow in perfection without great care, the roots in particular are to be
guarded against frost; the soil and situation may be the same as
recommended for the _Cyclamen Coum. p. 4. v. 1_.

[Illustration: No 259]

[260]

METROSIDEROS CITRINA. HARSH-LEAV'D METROSIDEROS.

_Class and Order._

ICOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-dentatus, sinu germen fovens. _Petala_ 5, caduca. _Stam._
discreta, petalis multoties longiora. _Caps._ 3-4 locularis,
polysperma. _Banks. Gaertner._

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

METROSIDEROS _citrina_ foliis lineari-lanceolatis rigentibus.

Though many species of this genus have been raised from seeds, brought
within these few years from the South Seas, where th