[Illustration: No 119]

In order that we may give our readers an opportunity of seeing a
coloured representation of one of the most scarce and magnificent plants
introduced into this country, we have this number deviated from our
usual plan, with respect to the plates, and though in so doing we shall
have the pleasure of gratifying the warm wishes of many of our readers,
we are not without our apprehensions least others may not feel perfectly
well satisfied; should it prove so, we wish such to rest assured that
this is a deviation in which we shall very rarely indulge and never but
when something uncommonly beautiful or interesting presents itself: to
avoid the imputation of interested motives, we wish our readers to be
apprized that the expences attendant on the present number, in
consequence of such deviation, have been considerably _augmented_, not
lowered.

It is well known to many Botanists, and others, who have experienced Sir
JOSEPH BANKS's well known liberality, that previous to the publication
of the _Hortus Kewensis_ he made a new genus of this plant, which had
before been considered as a species of _Heliconia_, and named it
_Strelitzia_ in honour of our most gracious Queen CHARLOTTE; coloured
engravings of which, executed under his direction, he presented to his
particular friends; impressions of the same plate have been given in the
aforesaid work, in which we are informed that this plant was introduced
to the royal garden at Kew, by Sir JOSEPH BANKS, Bart. in the year 1773,
where it lately flowered--of some other plants introduced after that
period from the Cape, of which it is a native, one flowered in the Pine
stove of BAMBER GASCOYNE, Esq. several years ago, from whence Mr. MILLAR
drew his figure, and the plant from which our drawing was made flowered