_Specific Character and Synonyms._

PELARGONIUM _tetragonum_ pedunculis bifloris, ramis tetragonis carnosis,
corollis tetrapetalis, _L'Herit. n. 72. t. 23._

GERANIUM _tetragonum_. _Linn. Suppl. p. 305._

[Illustration: No 136]

A vein of singularity runs through the whole of this plant, its stalks
are unequally and obtusely quadrangular, sometimes more evidently
triangular; its leaves few, and remarkably small; its flowers, on the
contrary, are uncommonly large, and what is more extraordinary have only
four petals; previous to their expansion they exhibit also an appearance
somewhat outrè, the body of the filaments being bent so as to form a
kind of bow, in which state we have represented one of the blossoms in
our figure.

When it flowers in perfection, which it is not apt to do in all places,
the largeness of its blossoms renders it one of the most ornamental of
the genus.

There is a variety of it with beautifully coloured leaves, of which we
have availed ourselves in its representation.

It flowers from June, to August, and September; requires the same
treatment as the more common Geraniums, and is readily propagated by
cuttings.