Th' injurious deed alike is done STAR OF BETHLEHEM. ORNITHOGALUM. ASPHODELEA. HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. The botanical name of this genus is from two Greek words, which signify bird and milk; which Mr. Martyn supposes to be intended to express the whiteness of the flowers or roots of some of the species, like the feathers or beaks of some birds. But this is surely a long way to fetch a name, or its explanation.-French, l' ornithogale; churles.— -Italian, ornitogalo; latte d'uccello. THE Snowy Star of Bethlehem, the Spear-leaved, the Long-spiked, the Cape, the Grass-leaved, and the Golden, are all from the Cape, and too tender to thrive in the open air. In the beginning of July, when the leaves and stalks decay, the roots may be taken up, and laid in a dry place till the end of August, when they must be planted again. They may be increased by offsets. The Pyrenean, Close-spiked, Broad-leaved and Pyramidal kinds, are hardy bulbs: they may be increased by offsets, which they produce in great plenty. They should be transplanted in July or August, but not oftener than every second year. They should have a light sandy soil. All the kinds must be kept moderately moist. STAR LILY. AMARYLLIDEE. AMARYLLIS. HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. French, amarillis.—Italian, giglio narciso [narcissus lily]. THE name of Amaryllis is supposed to be derived from a Greek word signifying splendour; "and is given,” says Mr. Martyn," with great propriety, to this splendid genus.” The Yellow Amaryllis, or Autumnal Narcissus, is a native of the South of France, Spain, Italy, and Thrace. The flowers seldom rise above four inches high; and somewhat resemble the Yellow Crocus. Like that, too, its leaves grow all the winter, after the flowers are past. It flowers in September, is very hardy, and increases fast by offsets. They may be transplanted any time from May to the end of July, but not later. This plant prefers a light dry soil, and an open situation. It must not be under the dripping of trees. In mild seasons, there will often be, from the same root, a succession of flowers from September to the middle of November. It should be kept moderately moist. The Atamasco Lily is a native of Virginia and Carolina, where it grows plentifully in the fields and woods, and makes a beautiful show. At their first appearance the flowers are of a fine carnation colour outside, but they fade almost to white: they blow from May to July or August. It may be increased by offsets: the bulbs should be removed every second year, and, if they begin to shoot while out of the earth, should be planted immediately. It should be kept moderately moist. The Jacoboa Lily-in French, le lys de St. Jaques [St. James's lily]; la croix de St. Jaques [St. James's cross]; la belle amarillis: and in Italian, giglio narciso giacobeoproduces its flowers two or three times in the year, not at any regular season. It furnishes plenty of offsets, which should be taken off every year: the best time is in August, that they may take good root before winter. In removing the roots, great care should be taken not to break off their fibres. This flower may stand abroad in the summer, but in the winter should be lodged in an inhabited room. It must be kept moist. This Lily is a native of South America: the flowers are large, of a deep red, and bend gracefully on one side of the stalk. Parkinson calls it the Indian Daffodil. The Belladonna Lily-called by the French, lis de Mexique [Mexico lily]; la belle dame: and by the Italians, narciso bella donna [fine lady narcissus]-is a native of the West Indies, and grows on shady hills, and by the margins of streams. It is of a pale purple colour, inclining to white towards the centre. It was first brought to England from Portugal, and is very common in the Italian gardens, particularly in the neighbourhood of Florence, where it is sold in the markets under the name of Narcissus-belladonna. This Lily is very fragrant. It flowers about the end of September or the beginning of October, and, if the weather be favourable, will continue in bloom a month, or more. In June the leaves decay, and the root should be transplanted soon after; for, if it remains till July, it will send forth new fibres; and removal then would injure it. It should remain in the house in the winter, and be kept moderately moist. The Superb, or Riband Amaryllis, is supposed to be a native of the Cape: the flowers are very beautiful; a white ground, striped with red. Unless hastened by artificial heat, they open in April or May. As this bulb rarely produces offsets, it should be procured in the pot, and treated as the last. The Long-leaved Lily, or Amaryllis, is a native of the Cape of Good Hope. The flower-stem is seldom more than four inches high, but bears a profusion of purple flowers, opening in December. It may be treated as the Jacobœa Lily. The Guernsey Lily-called in France, le lis de Japonwhich has been removed by some botanists from the genus Amaryllis, and called Nerine, is extremely handsome: it is a native of Japan, but has long been naturalized at Guernsey, from which place it is named. There are from eight to twelve flowers on one plant; the circumference of each flower about seven inches. When in full beauty, it has the appearance of a fine gold tissue wrought on a rose-coloured ground; and when it begins to fade, it is pink. If beheld in full sunshine, it seems studded with diamonds; but by candle-light, looks rather as if it were spangled with fine gold-dust. When the flower begins to wither, the petals assume a deep crimson colour. The flowers begin to appear towards the end of August, and the head is usually three weeks gradually expanding. This plant is said to have been taken to Guernsey by a vessel wrecked there on its return from Japan. There, and at Jersey, it thrives as well as in its native country; and, from both those islands, the roots are annually dispersed over Europe. These roots, or rather bulbs, are generally brought over in June or July: they should then be planted in pots of light earth, and refreshed with water two or three times a week, but very gently. Too much wet, especially before they come up, would rot the bulbs. About the middle of September, such of the bulbs as are strong enough to flower will begin to show the bud of the flower-stem, which is commonly of a red colour: they should then be placed where they may have the benefit of the sun, and be defended from strong winds; but by no means must they be placed close to a wall, or under glasses, which would draw them up weak, and render them less beautiful. If the weather be dry, they should still be re freshed with water every second, or if very hot, every dày; but if there be much rain, they must be sheltered from it. When the flowers begin to open, they should be placed under cover to preserve them from rain; but must be allowed plenty of fresh air, or the colours will lose their brilliancy, and soon decay. If rightly managed, they will continue in beauty a full month; and, though they afford no perfume, their beauty alone entitles them to a first rank among the children of Flora. After the flowers have decayed, the leaves will continue growing all the winter; they must be defended from frost, but should have as much free air as possible in mild weather: when it is both mild and dry, they may stand abroad in the middle of the day. The roots should not be removed oftener than every fourth year, towards the end of June, or early in July; they should then be replanted in fresh earth, and the offsets planted in separate pots, These young plants will produce flowers the third year. The bulbs of this Lily do not flower every succeeding year, as most bulbs do; but if they contain two buds in the centre, as is often the case, they will flower twice in three years; after which the same root will not flower again for several years, but only the offsets from it. STOCK. MATTHIOLA. CRUCIFERA. TETRADYNAMIA SILIQUOSA. Stock-gilliflower.-French, giroflée; violier.-Italian, viola; leucoio. THE Virginia Stock is improperly so called: its native place is on the coast of the Mediterranean, and it is called |
