[Illustration: _Plate 49._ _Semi-Double quilled pink Chrysanthemum._
_Drawn from nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
CHRYSANTHEMUM indicum var.
_Semi double quill'd pink Chrysanthemum._
_Class and Order._--SYNGENSIA, POLYGAMIA, SUPERFLUA.
Syn. Semi double quill'd pink Chrysanthemum. _Hort. Soc. Trans._ _Vol._
5. _p._ 422.
Stem tall, erect, leafy, branching--lower leaves large, bi-pinnatifid,
lobes deeply indented--becoming smaller as they approach the
flower--flower terminal slightly pendant--calyx squamose--florets
quill'd of a beautiful pale pink, shaded off to white--disc
yellow--large.
The first introduction of the Chinese Chrysanthemums into this country,
was about the year 1764;--the beautiful varieties now seen in our
gardens, became known at a much more recent period, and from the great
facility that attends their cultivation, and their very desirable
season of flowering, they are universal favorites;--new varieties are
frequently imported, the only means we possess of obtaining them, as
we are ignorant of the mode adopted by the Chinese for their increase;
and we are led to suppose that we do not yet possess some of their
finest kinds:--most of the varieties will grow well out of doors, and
if trained against a south wall, with a little protection to shield
the flowers from inclement weather, will make a beautiful and gay
appearance in the months of November and December. The Chrysanthemums
are increased either by cuttings or suckers taken from the parent
plant in the spring;--the var. here figured is a very beautiful one,
and blossoms rather early and freely--the flowers have a deeper color
when grown out of doors, and the plant altogether acquires more
strength;--in a green-house this var. is apt to grow weak and tall.
Pl. 49.
[Illustration: _Plate 50._ _Superb White Chrysanthemum. Early Crimson._
_Drawn from nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
CHRYSANTHEMUM indicum var.
_Superb White Chrysanthemum._
_Class and Order._--SYNGENSIA, POLYGAMIA, SUPERFLUA.
Syn. Superb White Chrysanthemum. _Hort. Soc. Trans._ _Vol._ 5. _p._ 420.
Stem erect, leafy, branching--leaves bi-pinnatifid, lobes deeply
indented,--flower terminal, drooping, white, tinged with yellow
towards the centre--calyx squamose, obtuse, florets ligulate, outside
florets occasionally quill'd--apex entire.
This variety is a very desirable one for growing out of doors, from
its long continuance in bloom, and the flowers being so very large and
fine--the foilage is luxuriant, and if the plant be trained against a
wall, it will grow very tall, and make a beautiful appearance until a
late season;--the Chrysanthemums like a strong soil.
CHRYSANTHEMUM indicum var.
_Early Crimson Chrysanthemum._
_Class and Order._--SYNGENSIA, POLYGAMIA, SUPERFLUA.
Syn. Early Crimson Chrysanthemum. _Hort. Soc. Trans._ _Vol._ 5, _p._
155.
Stem erect, leafy, much branched--leaves bi-pinnatifid, lobes very
deeply indented--flowers pendant--growing in clusters, semi-double, of
a fine crimson--florets ligulate, emarginate--disc small.
This is a newer var. than either the superb white, or quill'd pink;
the plant grows low, and rather bushy, and makes a very brilliant
appearance when in full flower--the varieties of Chrysanthemum Indicum
are so endless, that is difficult to make a selection; some of the most
beautiful and latest imported are the following:--
Purple.
Quill'd white.
Tasselled white.
Sulphur yellow.
Golden yellow.
Buff or orange.
Quill'd flamed yellow.
Curled lilac.
Pale pink.
Parks' small yellow.
Blush Ranunculus flowered.
Tasselled lilac.
Two colored red.
Starry pink.
Two colored incurved.
Golden Lotus flowered.
Brown lilac.
Early blush.
Paper white.
Changeable pale buff.
Pl. 50.
[Illustration: _Plate 51._ _Tussilago fragrans._
_Drawn from nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
TUSSILAGO fragrans.
_Fragrant Coltsfoot._
_Class and Order._--SYNGENSIA, POLYGAMIA, SUPERFLUA.
Syn. Tussilago Fragrans. _Curt. Bot. Mag._ _pl._ 1388.
Root creeping, fleshy--scape about eight inches high, woolly,
appearing before the leaves--leaves radical, large, cordate, margins
crenate--young leaves covered with a deciduous down, cauline
leaves cordate, sheathing the stem--peduncles rising from concave
bracteas--calyx many segments, lanceolate, acute, tinged with
brown--radiated florets ligulate, pink, florets of the disk, five
segments, white--style projecting, stigma dark purple.
This plant possesses little beauty to recommend it to our notice, but
its delightful fragrance, which strongly resembles the Heliotropium
Peruvianum, renders it an acceptable addition to our small stock of
winter flowers. It is a native of Italy, and was introduced into this
country by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, in 1806. Though frequently treated
as a green-house or frame-plant, it is perfectly hardy, and if grown in
a moist situation, it will spread so rapidly as to become troublesome;
the best plan therefore is to confine it in a pot, and plunge it in
common garden soil, where it will flower about December or January,
without the least protection.
This is the only species suitable for a flower garden.
Pl. 51.
[Illustration: _Plate 52._ _Helleborus niger._
_Drawn from nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
HELLEBORUS niger.
_Black Hellebore or Christmas Rose._
_Class and Order._--POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA.
Syn. Helleborus niger. _Curt. Bot. Mag._ _pl._ 8.
Root tuberous--leaves radical, on long channelled petioles, pedate,
lobes oblong, margins serrate near the apex--scape radical,
simple,--flower terminal--calyx none--bracteas immediately under
the flower, two, sessile--corolla white, slightly tinged with pale
pink and yellowish green,--petals five, large, orbicular, margins
undulate--nectaries green, tubular--stamens numerous--anthers
compressed--styles many.
There are few flowers more welcome to us than the Helleborus
niger, which enlivens our gardens in the dreary months of December
and January. It is a native of the mountains of Austria, and was
introduced into this country about the year 1596, by Mr. John Gerard;
it derives its name from the dark color of its roots, and the common
appellation of the Christmas Rose, arises from the peculiar season of
its flowering; being an alpine plant it delights in a pure air, and
it grows best in a moist situation and strong loamy soil: it may be
covered with a hand-glass when coming into bloom, as the beauty of
the flower is liable to be destroyed by the severity of the weather.
Considerable medicinal properties were ascribed to this plant by the
ancients, but it is now seldom used. There are several other species,
but only two of these are generally cultivated--the first mentioned is
a British plant.
H. viridis.
-- lividus.
Pl. 52.
[Illustration: _Plate 53._ _Eranthis hyemalis._
_Drawn from Nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]