[Illustration: _Green House Plants_
_Published Feb^y 1 1818, by J. Harris, corner of S^t. Pauls._]
"How lovely is the Illicium Floridanum with its large red flower!" said
Mrs. Durnford; "only smell how delicious is the perfume of its leaves."
"Delicious, indeed!" said Mr. Durnford, "I must purchase one on purpose
that I may enjoy the scent. It comes from Florida. I must also treat
myself with one of those Camellia Japonica, or Japan roses. The blossom
is uncommonly fine. Pray what is the name of this tall flower?"
"The Lobelia Fulgens," replied the proprietor. "It is a native of North
America, and is a hardy plant."
"I should like that pot of China roses, mamma," said Emily; "they came
originally, I believe, from China, and are called Rosasinensis."
"That mignonette is very luxuriant," said Maria, "pray have some,
mamma, the smell is so fragrant. Do they not call it Resecla Odorata."
"Yes, my love, and it came first from Egypt."
"Oh, mamma; do buy that sweet myrtle," cried Caroline, "I am so fond of
myrtles and geraniums. What is the Latin term for myrtle?"
"There are eleven different sorts, my dear;" said her mother, "the
common myrtle is a native of the South of Europe, and is called Myrtus
Communis. Many come from the West India Islands, and some from
Asia. In the Isle of Wight we have hedges of them, and in the South
of England they will grow in the open air, as well as some of the
geraniums, of which latter there are too many for me to enumerate. How
lovely is the Convallaria Majalis, or lilly of the valley. It is a
simple flower, a native of Britain, but the perfume is delightful."