SCARLET-BEAN.

PHASEOLUS MULTIFLORUS.

LEGUMINOSE.

DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA.

Called also Scarlet-runners.

THE species of bean, commonly called the Scarlet-runner, will thrive well in a deep pit or box; and is well worthy of attention for the beauty of its blossoms. It will clothe whole walls or fences, for a time, with a luxuriant green and red tapestry. If sown in pots, one seed will suffice for each; but the better way is to have a box of some length, placed against the wall of a court, area, &c., and there to sow the seeds, about six inches apart and an inch deep: this should be done towards the end of April, or early in May. Sprinkle the earth with water on sowing the seed; after which, be sparing of it till the plants begin to shoot: they should then, in dry weather, be watered three times a week. When the plants have risen six or eight inches, sticks should be placed to support them; unless they are against a wall, which may serve for that purpose, and they will quickly spread over it in luxuriant beauty. Before Miller's time, it was cultivated less for its fruit than for the beauty and durability of its blossoms, which the ladies put into their nosegays and garlands. He brought it into general use for the table; and, because it has been found so useful, people seem to think it can no longer be ornamental, which is surely a vulgar mistake.

PLUMBAGINEÆ.

SEA-LAVENDER.

STATICE.

PENTANDRIA PENTAGYNIA.

THE Scolloped-leaved Sea-lavender has a yellow flower with a handsome blue calyx, handsomer than the flower itself. It retains its beauty when dry, and is so preserved with other flowers in winter.

The Rough-leaved, a native of Barbary and the South of Europe, has pale blue flowers. The Plaintain-leaved, a Russian, has white flowers: these three kinds are biennial.

The Triangular-stalked, from the Canary islands; the Narrow-leaved-shrubby, from Siberia; and the Broadleaved-shrubby, from Sicily, are perennials: these may be increased by cuttings planted in July.

They should be kept moderately moist; and, with the exception of the third, must be sheltered in the winter, admitting fresh air in mild weather.

Thrift, which was the predecessor of Box as an edging for flower-borders, is of this genus: the bright scarlet variety is very pretty. It is named Thrift from its readiness to thrive in any soil, situation, climate, air, fog, or smoke. It is also called Mountain-pink, Sea-pink, Lady's-cushion, and Sea-gilliflower: it may be increased by parting the roots in autumn. The French call it, gazon d'Espagne [Spanish turf]; gazon d'Olympe [turf of Olympus]; oeillet de Paris [Parisian pink]; herbe à sept tiges [herb with seven stalks]: the Italians, statice; pianta da sette fusti [plant with seven stalks].

६

CRASSULACEE.

SEDUM.

DECANDRIA PENTAGYNIA.

THE Sedums include the Stonecrops and Orpines: many persons are very curious in these plants, which are adapted principally for veiling unsightly walls, enriching cottage-roofs, or wall-tops, or dropping from the eaves. Some of them are very splendid.

The Orpine Stonecrop is also called Live-long, because a branch of it hung up will long retain its verdure; but this is common to most very succulent plants, which will feed for a long time on the moisture they have previously imbibed. It is common in Europe, Japan, and Siberia; and is called in France, la reprise; grassette; feve epaisse [thick bean]; Joubarbe des vignes [vine Jupiter's beard]; feuille gras [thick leaf]; herbe magique [magical herb]: and in Italy, sopravivolo; telefio; fava grassa; favogello; pignuola.

The Thick-leaved species with white flowers makes a beautiful appearance all the year round, and spreads fast:

"Cool violets, and orpine growing still."

The Sedum Reflexum, Trip-madam, or Yellow Stone crop-called by the French, trippe madame-is common all over England, on walls, and thatched roofs, where it spreads a continual vegetable sunshine: it flowers in July. Haller says this kind is eaten in salads.

The Biting Stonecrop, Pepper-crop, or Wall-pepper, so called from its pungency, is also very common in England. It is either planted on walls, or in pots, placed in a lofty situation, from whence it hangs over the sides of the pots, and grows to a considerable length. It is called by the French, la vermiculaire brulante [burning wormwood];

pain d'oiseau [bird bread]; in the village dialect, përratin : and by the Italians, erbi pignuola; pinocchiella.

The Orpines may be readily increased by cuttings in the summer months. The flowers are generally white or purple. The Evergreen kind, with purple flowers, spreads very fast. They require a dry soil, and prefer the shade.

Any of the perennial Stone-crops planted in a little soft mud or earth, in the manner of the House-leeks, on a wall or roof, will spread its roots, and cover the whole place in a short time. Of the annual kinds, the seeds sprinkled over the place where they are designed to grow will easily root. When planted in pots, they should always be placed high from the ground. They are very succulent plants, and will not require watering.

AURANTIACER.

SHADDOCK TREE.

CITRUS DECUMANA.

POLYADELPHIA POLYANDRIA.

French, la pampelmouse.-Italian, pamplemusa; these names are from the Dutch. The Italians also call it

pompa di

genova.

THIS plant may be treated in the same manner as the Orange; under which head, directions are given at full length.

The Shaddock is a native of India; it was taken to the West-Indies, in an East-India Ship, by Captain Shaddock from whom it was named. There are many varieties; one, bearing a fruit five inches in diameter, very sweet, is called in China Sweet-Ball. In Japan, the Shaddock is said to be as large as the head of a child.

The trees imported from Italy, and sold at the Italian

warehouses in London for Orange-trees, without any peculiar name, are for the most part either Shaddock or Citron-trees, as these sorts make stronger shoots and more showy plants than the true Orange.

SNOW-DROP.

GALANTHUS.

NARCISSEE.

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

Galanthus is of Greek origin, and signifies Milk-Flower: the flower being very white. Its name of snow-drop expresses the same thing, and is, at the same time, applicable to the time of its appearance, often when snow is on the ground. In mild seasons it will blow in January, but it usually appears in February, on which account it has also been named Fair-Maid of February.-French, la galantine ;Italian, galanto.

THE Snowdrop is a native of Switzerland, Austria, Silesia, and England, in meadows, and orchards; but doubts are entertained whether it is really indigenous, or whether it is a relic of cultivation. Every third year, the roots should be taken up in June, when the leaves have decayed, and kept in a dry place till August; they should then be replanted; and the best way to make them look well, is to plant twenty or more together in a clump, which has a very pretty effect when they blow. They should not however be less than an inch and a half apart, and should be set two inches deep.

There is a flower called the Leucojum, or great Snowdrop, very similar to this, but twice its size. Of this there are three kinds, commonly called the Spring, the Summer, and the Autumnal Snow-drop. Some to distinguish them better, being of a different genus, have named them Snow