FERRARIA _undulata_ caule multifloro. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. p. 820. ed.
14._ _Murr. Ait. Kew. p. 305. v. 3._

FLOS INDICUS e violaceo fuscus radice tuberosa. _I. B. Ferrar. Flora,
ed. nov. p. 167. t. 171._

GLADIOLUS INDICUS e violaceo fuscus radice tuberosa nobis. _Moris. hist.
f. 4. t. 4. f. 7._

NARCISSUS INDICUS flore saturate purpureo. _Rudb. Elys. 2. t. 49. f. 9._

IRIS stellata cyclamine radice pullo flore. _Barrel. Icon. 1216._

[Illustration: No 144]

The old Botanists appear to have been wonderfully at a loss to what
family they should refer this very singular plant, as will appear on
consulting the synonyms; BURMAN at length made a distinct genus of it,
naming it _Ferraria_ in honour of JOH. BAPTISTA FERRARIUS, by whom it
was described, and very well figured, in his _Flora feu de Florum
Cultura_, published at Amsterdam, in 1646.

Mr. MILLER informs us, that he received roots of this plant
from Dr. JOB BASTER, F. R. S. of Zirkzee, who obtained it from
the Cape, of which it is a native.

In the vegetable line, it is certainly one of the most singular and
beautiful of nature's productions; much it is to be regretted that its
flowers are of very short duration, opening in the morning and finally
closing in the afternoon of the same day; a strong plant will, however,