ple; blowing at different seasons, from April to September, according to their species. They like a moist soil, and must be liberally watered: should be housed in October, and, placed abroad again early in May. The usual colour of the blossoms, called by the gardeners purple, is in truth rather a purple-tinged flesh-colour, like that of Venus's Looking-glass. They are numerous and hand

some.

In Captain Franklin's Narrative of a Journey to the shores of the Polar Sea, he speaks of a species of Phlox, which, from his unfortunate friend Lieutenant Hood, he names Phlox Hoodii. "This beautiful species," says he, "is a striking ornament to the plains in the neighbourhood of Carlton House, forming large patches, which are conspicuous at a distance."

PINK.

CARYOPHYLLE.

DIANTHUS.

DECANDRIA DIGYNIA.

The name Dianthus is of Greek origin, and signifies the flower of Jove; which noble name is, according to some, bestowed upon the flower for its beauty; others say from its fragrance. That distinction is surely just, which excites a doubt only for which of its good qualities it is conferred.-French, oeillet.-Italian, garafano; gherosano; garofolo.

THE Bearded Pink, or Sweet-William-French, oeillet de poete-is a native of Germany. Gerarde mentions it as being, in his time, highly esteemed "to deck up gardens, the bosoms of the beautiful, garlands, and crowns for pleasure." The narrow-leaved kinds are called Sweet-Johns: the broad-leaved, unspotted kinds are by some named Tolmeiners and London-tufts; and the small speckled kind, London-pride.

There are many varieties of the Sweet-William, single

and double-flowered, varying in colour from a pale blushcolour to a deep crimson: some are entirely white. They blow in June: they must be sparingly watered, but never left dry.

Of the Clove-pink-in Italian, garofano ortense-the varieties are endless: the larger kinds are called Carnations-in French, oeillet des fleuristes :-the smaller, Clovegilliflowers. Some suppose this latter name to have been corrupted from July-flower, July being its flowering time. Drayton so names it:

"The curious choice clove July-flower,
Whose kinds hight the carnation,

For sweetness of most sovereign power
Shall help my wreath to fashion;
Whose sundry colours, of one kind,

First from one root derived,

Them in their several suits I'll bind,
My garland so contrived."

FIFTH NYMPHAL.

It is more generally believed to be from the French name, giroflier, which is also the name of the Clove-tree, from the similarity of the perfume: Besides the names already mentioned, Gerarde gives several others, Horseflesh, Blunket, and Sops-in-wine.

Modern florists have, by their careful culture of these flowers, increased the varieties beyond enumeration. Pinks also, commonly so called, are infinitely varied. Pinks, Carnations, and Sweet-Williams are increased in various ways; but, as their culture demands much attention and experience, the better way of securing handsome varieties will be to purchase them in the pot, which may be done at a small expense; and, as they are chiefly perennial, even that need not often be incurred.

These plants, when in blossom, should be sheltered from the noon-day sun; but suffered to enjoy it in the

U

early part of the day. In dry weather, they should be watered every evening. If the buds on the sides of the stalks are removed, and the top ones only left to blow, they will be much handsomer: should they incline to break through the pod on one side in an unsightly manner, it should be notched in two other places, at equal distances, with a pair of fine scissars, to give them freedom.

When the bloom is past and the leaves decay, the stalks should be cut down; water should then be given but twice a week, observing by no means to use raw spring water. They should be sheltered from frost, and in the spring will again shoot forth in full beauty: they must not be placed very near to a wall, which would tend to draw them up weakly.

The Carnations, Maiden-pinks, &c. have been celebrated both for their beauty and fragrance; in the latter they are equalled by few plants, exceeded perhaps by none. As the rose for her beauty, the nightingale for his song, so is the pink noted for its sweetness.

"And the pink of smell divinest "

is seldom or ever forgotten, when the poets would celebrate the charms of Flora. Spenser's works are continually sprinkled with them: both Milton and Shakspeare have done them honour:

PER. Sir, the year growing ancient,—

Not yet on summer's death, nor on the birth

Of trembling winter,—the fairest flowers o' the season
Are our carnations, and streaked gillyflowers,

Which some call nature's bastards: of that kind

Our rustic garden's barren; and I care not

To get slips of them.

POL.

Do you neglect them?

Per.

Wherefore, gentle maiden,

For I have heard it said,

There is an art, which, in their piedness, shares
With great creating nature.

POL.

Say there be,

Yet nature is made better by no mean,
But nature makes that mean.

WINTER'S TALE, Act 4, Scene 3.

Spenser continually speaks of this flower by the name of Sops-in-wine. Drayton also uses this name for them:

"Sweet-Williams, campions, sops-in-wine,
One by another neatly."

It has been observed that the word Dianthus signifies Jove's flower; but in English the name is generally confined to the Pink, commonly so called; which gives occasion to Cowley to make a facetious remark upon the distinction:

"Sweet-William small has form and aspect bright,

Like that sweet flower that yields great Jove delight;
Had he majestic bulk, he'd now be styled

Jove's flower; and, if my skill is not beguiled,
He was Jove's flower when Jove was but a child.
Take him with many flowers in one conferr❜d,
He's worthy Jove, e'en now he has a beard."

COWLEY ON PLANTS, Book IV.

PRIMULACEE.

POLYANTHUS.

PRIMULA VULGARIS.

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

THE Polyanthus bears a great resemblance to the Auricula, and is a variety of Primrose. The roots may be purchased for a trifle, and will live several years: they should be removed and parted every year, and the earth renewed: this may be done in August. The Polyanthus delights in the same rich soil as is recommended for the Auricula, but is a much hardier plant; and needs pro

tection rather from drought and heat, than cold and moisture. It will survive the coldest and the wettest seasons. The Polyanthus, like all of the genus, is an early blower: one of the first flowers which announce spring.

"Fair-handed Spring unbosoms every grace;

Throws out the snow-drop and the crocus first;
The daisy, primrose, violet darkly blue,
And polyanthus of unnumbered dyes;

The yellow wallflower stained with iron brown,
And lavish stock that scents the garden round."

FLOOD OF THESSALY, page 3.

PAPAVERACEE.

POPPY.

PAPAVER.

POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

Papaver is said to be derived from papa, or pap, because the juice of the flowers was used in pap to produce sleep.-French, pavot.— Italian, papevero, or papavero, rosoni.

THE red-flowered species, confounded under the name of Corn-poppy, are natives of every part of Europe, the Levant, Japan, &c.; these are with us the most common of all the species, growing in corn-fields, on walls, and on dry banks. They blow in June and July. They are likewise called Red-poppy, Corn-rose, Wind-rose; in Yorkshire, Cup-rose; and in some of the eastern counties, Cankerrose; Red-weed; Head-wark. Gerarde says the country people call them Cheese-bowls. In France, la pavot rouge des champs; le pavot sauvage; coquelicot; coquelicoq; coque; ponceau; confanon; maudui; graouselle; rouzele; and in the village dialect, cabosseta. In Italy, papevero erratico; papevero salvatico; rosolaccio.

The petals of this Poppy give out a fine colour when in