Specific Character and Synonyms.

Under the name of poeticus three different species of Narcissus appearing perfectly distinct (though similar in many respects) and regarded as such by the old Botanists, have been confounded by the moderns, viz.

The first of these, the one here figured is evidently the poeticus of Linnæus, judging by the authors to whom he refers in the third edition of his Spec. Pl. which are indeed few in number, and confined chiefly to Bauh. Pin. Dodonæus; of the second, and third, he takes no notice.

The two former ones of these have the greatest affinity, inasmuch as they both produce for the most part only one flower, of a white colour, having a very short nectary, edged with orange; to both of these Linnæus's specific description is equally applicable, as well as the trivial name of poeticus, given them indiscriminately by several of the old Botanists, some regarding the first, some the second as the plant mentioned by Theocritus[2], Virgil[3], and Ovid[4]; unfortunately both of them are found to grow in the same meadows, and have the same obvious appearances, it is therefore utterly impossible to say which of the two was the Narcissus of the poets; if we have the greatest difficulty in ascertaining what the plants were of the Botanists of those times, how are we to discover what the Poets meant, who with very few exceptions have been unpardonably inattentive to the appearances of nature. Since then the term poeticus is equally suitable to both, and as there cannot be two with the same name, we have thought it best to get rid of it altogether, and substitute others which tend in a certain degree to discriminate the several species, denominating the

1st. angustifolius.
2d. majalis.
3d. biflorus.

The angustifolius here figured is a native of the South of Europe, and said by Magnol and Clusius to grow spontaneously in the meadows about Narbonne and Montpelier.

It flowers in our gardens early in April, about a month before the biflorus, and full six weeks sooner than the majalis, increases readily by offsets, and succeeds best in a soil that is moderately moist. In what respects it differs from the two others, will be mentioned when they come to be figured.

[194]

Fritillaria Imperialis. Crown Imperial.

The Crown Imperial, a native of the East, most probably of Persia, was introduced according to Dodonæus, into the gardens of the emperor and some of the nobility at Vienna in 1576; it appears to have been cultivated here as early as 1596: both Gerard and Parkinson describe it minutely, the latter on account of its "stately beautifulness, gives it the first place in his garden of delight."

It flowers usually in the beginning of April; the whole plant sends forth a strong unpleasant smell, compared by most writers to that of a fox, perceptible when you approach it; to this effluvia Parkinson endeavours to reconcile us by saying that it is not unwholesome; it is so disagreeable however, that few choose to have many of these plants, or those in the most frequented parts of their gardens, yet it ought not to be proscribed, for independent of its beauty, there is much in it to admire, and especially its singular Nectaria, which in the form of a white glandular excavation decorate the base of each petal; in these usually stands a drop of clear nectareous juice; the peduncle or flower-stalk which bends downwards when the plant is in flower, becomes upright as the seed ripens.

Of this plant, as of all others which have long been objects of culture, there are many varieties; those most generally cultivated in our gardens are the common orange-flowered single and double, yellow single and double, gold-striped leaved, and silver-striped leaved; the Dutch in their catalogues enumerate thirteen varieties.

Luxuriant plants will sometimes produce a second and even a third whorl or crown of flowers, and the flat-stalked ones which are monsters, have been known to produce seventy-two blossoms, but none of these are found to be constant.

The Crown Imperial, though a native of a much warmer climate than ours, is a hardy bulb, and not very nice in regard to soil, succeeds best in such as is stiffish, enriched with manure, and placed in a sheltered situation.

Is propagated by offsets, which are produced in tolerable abundance.

[195]

Cheiranthus Mutabilis. Changeable Wall-Flower.

The present species of Cheiranthus, unknown both to Miller and Linnæus, was first described in the Hortus Kewensis of Mr. Aiton, who informs us that it was introduced to the Royal Garden in 1777, and found wild in the Island of Madeira by Mr. Masson.

Its chief merit as an ornamental plant consists in its early flowering; its blossoms which are shewy contribute to enliven the green-house in March and April; on their first expanding, they are white, in some plants (for they are subject to great variation) inclined to yellow, in a few days they become purple; to this change of colour observable also in the Cheiranthus maritimus already figured, it owes its name of mutabilis.

In sheltered gardens at the foot of a wall, we have known this species survive a mild winter; it seems indeed to be almost as hardy as the common stock; it is most commonly however kept in the green-house.

The usual way of propagating this species, which is of ready and quick growth, is by cuttings, which should be put into the ground as soon as the plant has done flowering; these if properly treated will become handsome plants to place in the green-house at the approach of Winter, and to decorate it the ensuing Spring; in like manner may the green-house be annually recruited with many similar plants to great advantage.

[196]

Saxifraga Crassifolia. Oval-Leaved Saxifrage.

The term grandifolia would have been more applicable to this species of Saxifrage than crassifolia, for it is not so much distinguished for the thickness as the largeness of its leaves; these are almost equal in size to those of our broad-leaved Dock, red on the under and of a fine shining green on their upper surface; they may be ranked indeed among the more handsome kinds of foliage; the flowering stems, according to the richness and moisture of the soil in which they are planted, rise from one to two or even three feet high; at top supporting a large bunch of purple pendulous flowers, which blossom in April and May, and, if the season prove favourable, make a fine appearance. Should cold winds prevail at the time of their flowering, which they are very apt to do, the plants should be covered with a hand-glass; or, if in a pot, it may be removed into the green-house, which they will not disgrace.

Is found spontaneously on the Alps of Siberia, and, according to Mr. Aiton, was introduced in 1765 by Dr. Solander. No plant is more readily increased by parting its roots, which may be done either in spring or autumn.

There is another Saxifrage in our gardens exceedingly like this in appearance, but differing, in producing larger bunches of flowers, and in having larger, rounder, and more heart-shaped leaves; Mr. Aiton regards this as a variety of the crassifolia, we are inclined to consider it as a species under the name of cordifolia. The parts of fructification in the crassifolia are apt to be preternaturally increased.

[197]

Narcissus Biflorus. Two-Flower'd Narcissus.

Both Gerard and Parkinson describe and figure this plant, informing us that it was very common in the gardens in their time; the former indeed mentions it as growing wild in fields and sides of woods in the West of England; the latter says he could never hear of its natural place of growth. Clusius reports that he had been credibly informed of its growing wild in England; it probably may, but of this it remains for us to be more clearly ascertained; it undoubtedly is the plant mentioned by Ray in his Synopsis.

As it grows readily, increases in a greater degree than most others and is both ornamental and odoriferous, it is no wonder that we meet with it in almost every garden, and that in abundance, flowering towards the end of April, about three weeks later than the angustifolia. It usually produces two flowers, hence we have called it biflorus; it frequently occurs with one, more rarely with three, in a high state of culture it probably may be found with more; when it has only one flower it may easily be mistaken for the majalis, but may be thus distinguished from it; its petals are of a more yellow hue, the nectary is wholly yellow, wanting the orange rim, it flowers at least three weeks earlier; but the character, which by observation we have found most to be depended on, exists in the flowering stem, the top of which in the biflorus, very soon after it emerges from the ground, bends down and becomes elbowed, as our figure represents; in the majalis, it continues upright till within a short time of the flowers expanding.

[198]

Indigofera Candicans. White-Leaved Indigo.

Of the genus Indigofera, twenty-three species are enumerated in Prof. Murray's edition of the Syst. Vegetab. of Linnæus; ten in the Hortus Kewensis of Mr. Aiton; in which last work only, the present plant, distinguished by the whiteness of its stalks and of the underside of its leaves, is described, and in which we are informed, that it is a native of the Cape, from whence it was introduced by Mr. Masson in 1774.

Its principal period of flowering is from about the beginning of May to the middle of June, at which time it is highly ornamental in the green-house: strong healthy plants produce from five to eight blossoms in a spike: on a plant growing with Mr. Colvill, Nurseryman, King's-Road, Chelsea, we once counted nine: a few of these usually produce seed-vessels containing perfect seeds, by which the plant is mostly propagated; it may also be raised by cuttings, but not very readily.

[199]

Aster Alpinus. Alpine Aster.

Clusius and Jacquin, by both of whom this species of Aster is figured and described, inform us, that it grows spontaneously on the Austrian Alps: of the many hardy herbaceous species cultivated in our garden, this is by far the most humble in is growth; in its wild state acquiring the height of about four inches, and when cultivated, rarely exceeding eight or nine: its blossoms for its size are large and shewy, making their appearance much earlier than any of the others, viz. about the end of May and beginning of June, and continuing in blossom three weeks or a month.

It is readily propagated by parting its roots in the autumn, may be kept in pots, or planted in the open border, prefers a moist stiffish soil; if carefully watered in dry weather, will grow among rock-work, for which, from its size, it is well adapted.

[200]

Antirrhinum Sparteum. Branching Toad-Flax.

The drawing here exhibited gives but a faint idea of the elegant and lively appearance which this plant assumes when it grows in a tuft, and a number of its branches are in blossom at the same time.

It is a hardy annual, of small stature, a native of Spain, and flowers during most of the summer.

Was introduced into this country, according to Mr. Aiton, in 1772, by Mons. Richard, and deserves to be much more generally cultivated.

Some regard it as a biennial, but as seeds of it sown in the spring flower the ensuing summer, and as the plant dies when it has ripened its seeds, there appears more propriety in considering it as an annual.

It is to be sown in the same manner as other hardy annuals; will flower earlier if the seeds have been raised in autumn.

The upper part of the stalk, as well as the leaves of the calyx, are beset with viscous hairs, in which respect it does not perfectly accord with Linnæus's description. Vid. Sp. Pl. ed. 3. p. 854.

[201]

Pelargonium Bicolor. Two-Coloured Crane's-Bill.

In every numerous tribe of plants, many of the species approach so near to each other, that there is much difficulty in distinguishing them; this objection cannot be urged against the present plant, which obviously differs from all the others of the same genus in the particular shape of its leaves and the colour of its blossoms, the latter are usually of a rich and very dark purple edged with white, from whence we apprehend it takes its name of bicolor; the colours however are scarcely distinct enough to justify such a name.

Mr. Aiton informs us in his Hort. Kew. that this very ornamental species was introduced in the year 1778, by John, the late Earl of Bute, but of what country it is a native, does not appear to be ascertained.

Our drawing was made from a plant in the collection of Messrs. Grimwood and Co. Kensington, with whom it flowers from June to August.

It is not disposed to ripen its seeds, nor is it very readily increased by cuttings.

[202]

Lupinus Perennis. Perennial Lupine.

Every species of Lupine described in the Species Plantarum of Linnæus, and in the Hortus Kewensis of Mr. Aiton, except the one here figured, are annuals; till another perennial one therefore shall be discovered, the term perennis will be strictly applicable to the present plant.

Its root is not only of the kind just mentioned, but creeping also; Mr. Miller informs us, that he traced some of them belonging to plants of a year old, to the depth of three feet, they also spread out far and wide; hence the roots even of young plants are with difficulty taken up entire, and as they do not succeed well by transplanting, if the root be cut or broken, our excellent author prefers raising this elegant plant from seed, which, though not very plentifully produced, ripen in July and August; care must be taken to gather them as soon as ripe.

It is a native of Virginia, and appears to have been cultivated in the Botanic Garden at Oxford, as long since as 1658.

Flowers from May to July.

Is a hardy perennial, succeeding best in a dry situation, with a loam moderately stiff.

[203]

Geranium Angulatum. Angular-Stalked Crane's-Bill.

Having cultivated the Geranium here figured for a series of years, we are perfectly satisfied of its being a species altogether distinct from any of the hardy and more ornamental plants of that genus usually cultivated in our gardens.

It is obviously distinguished by two characters, the angular appearance of its stalk (whence our name of angulatum) and its flesh-coloured blossoms, marked with veins of a deeper red.

In size it stands between pratense and aconitifolium, in its blossoms it has some affinity to striatum and lancastriense, but veins are not so strongly marked as in the former, and it differs from the latter in having an upright stalk.

It usually flowers in May, and frequently again in autumn; is a hardy perennial, and easily increased either by seeds or parting its roots.

Of what country it is a native, or when it was first introduced, we have yet to learn; we first observed it in a nursery near town, where it is regarded as a very different species.

[204]

Ranunculus Aconitifolius. Mountain Crowfoot, or Fair Maids of France.

This is one of those plants which derives its beauty from the multiplication of its petals; in its single state no one would think it deserving of culture as an ornamental plant: when double, few plants come in for a greater share of admiration.

It is a native of the Alps of Europe, and flowers in May and June.

Was very generally cultivated in our gardens in the times of Gerard and Parkinson.

Like most alpine plants, it requires a pure air, and succeeds best in a situation moderately moist and shady; is a hardy perennial, and may be increased by parting its roots in autumn.

In all seasons, with us, its foliage, as well as that of most other Crowfoots, is liable to be disfigured, and sometimes nearly destroyed, by a very small maggot which feeds betwixt, the coats of the leaf, and which ultimately produces a small fly, called by us Musca Ranunculi.

[205]

Antirrhinum Alpinum. Alpine Toad-Flax.

Professor Jacquin, in describing the flowers of this plant, calls them elegantissimi; and to one of its varieties Haller applies the epithet pulcherrima: such testimonies in its favour will, we presume, be sufficient to recommend it to our readers.

It is a native of various mountainous parts of Europe, affecting moist, stony situations,[5] and flowers during most of the summer: is a hardy perennial[6], according to the celebrated author of the Fl. Austriaca; Mr. Aiton, in his Hort. Kew. marks it as a biennial. It is nevertheless apt to be lost, like other small alpine plants, for want of proper treatment and care.

Mr. Aiton informs us on the authority of Lobel, that it was cultivated here by Mr. Hugh Morgan, in 1570.

May be propagated by cuttings, as well as by seeds, which however are not very plentifully produced with us.

Succeeds best when kept in a pot, or on rock-work, which it is well suited to decorate.

[206]

Geranium Anemonefolium. Anemone-Leav'd Geranium.

Before the appearance of the Hortus Kewensis, lævigatum was the term usually applied to this species of Geranium, by Botanists here, and that on account of the smooth and glossy appearance of its leaves; in that work Mr. Aiton adopts the word anemonefolium, by which Mons. L. Heritier had distinguished this species, from an idea that their shape afforded a more expressive character than their smoothness. We regret that the small size of our plate will not admit of our giving representation of those leaves, and of their mode of growth, which so strikingly characterizes the plant and adds so considerably to its beauty.

Mr. Aiton informs us that this species is a native of Madeira, from whence it was introduced here by Mr. Francis Masson in 1778.

It flowers from May to September, is usually and readily raised from seeds, nor is it so tender as many other green-house plants.

[207]

Dianthus Barbatus. Bearded Pink Or Sweet William.

Linnæus, in his Spec. Pl. appears not to have known of what country the Sweet William was a native, and even in the Hortus Kewensis, this circumstance is left undecided; yet Dodonæus, in his Pemptades[7], mentions its being found wild in Germany, and Prof. Hoffman confirms this in his Germanys Flora[8].

At the time Dodonæus wrote (1552) this plant was cultivated in the Netherlands, from whence it was probably introduced to this country, where it certainly is one of the oldest inhabitants of our gardens.

Beautiful as are the numerous varieties of this species of Dianthus, Florists have not deemed it worthy of that peculiar attention which they have bestowed on its more favoured relatives the Pink and Carnation, and hence it probably has not arrived at that degree of improvement of which it is capable; our figure is intended to represent one of the most esteemed of its kind, viz. the Painted Lady variety, which has a deep rich purple eye, surrounded with a pure white, having the edge of the petals slightly indented; but our colours fall far short of the beauties of the original.

Besides single flowers producing an infinite variety of colours, there are several double varieties of the Sweet William, some of which are observed to have more scent than others.

To possess these plants in perfection, we must renew them yearly; for though the root be perennial, it is apt to decay, especially if the soil in which it grows be either very moist, or very dry; or if the air be not pure, the single sorts must be raised from seeds, which should be saved from the choicest flowers; the double sorts may be increased by cuttings, pipings, or layers, in the same manner, and at the same time as Pinks and Carnations; the seed should be sown early in April, the seedlings transplanted into a bed in June, taking advantage of a wet day and placed about six inches asunder each way; in September they will be fit to transplant into the flower border, where they will blossom the ensuing summer, during the months of June and July, and ripen their seed in August.

[208]

Melissa Grandiflora. Great-Flower'd Balm.

The Melissa grandiflora, a beautiful and hardy perennial, grows spontaneously on the hilly and mountainous parts of France, Italy, and Germany; Gerard mentions it as found wild in this country, which stands in need of further confirmation; there is little doubt, however, but he had cultivated the plant; as he says, "brought into the garden, it prospereth marvellous well and very easily soweth itself."

It is the more valuable, as it flowers during most of the summer.

There is a variety of it with white, and another with red flowers, both much inferior in size to those of the plant here figured, and therefore not worth cultivating; we have a variety also with variegated leaves which we obtained from seeds.

This plant is readily propagated by parting its roots in autumn, and may also be raised from seeds, which are plentifully produced: as it rarely exceeds a foot in height, it becomes a suitable plant for the small flower border, or for the decoration of rock-work.

The leaves when bruised have the smell of garden balm.

[209]

Hibiscus Trionum. Bladder Hibiscus.

Seeds of the plant here figured are sold in the seed-shops under the name of Venice Mallow, a name by which it was known in the time of Gerard and Parkinson: Mr. Aiton has changed this for the more scientific one of Bladder Hibiscus. Authors have also distinguished this plant by terms expressive of the short-lived expansion of its flowers, which Gerard says open at eight o'clock in the morning and close about nine, from whence he observes, that it might with propriety be called Malva horaria: Miller lengthens the duration of its blowing to a few hours: we have frequently observed its blossoms continue sufficiently open to shew their beauty the greatest part of the day, more especially towards the close of summer.

Few annuals are more admired than this, the inside of the flower is of delicate cream colour, having the centre embellished with a rich purple velvet, on which its golden antheræ are proudly conspicuous.

It is said to be a native of Italy; a Cape variety, differing in hairiness and a few other particulars is mentioned by Miller, and considered by him as a species.

The least possible trouble attends the raising of this beautiful annual, as it readily ripens its seeds, which falling on the ground produce plants in abundance the ensuing spring; to have it flower as long as may be, it will be proper to sow it at two or three different periods.

[210]

Celsia Linearis. Linear-Leav'd Celsia.