water than the others. It may be increased by parting the roots in autumn.

The Austrian species is very handsome: the flowers are violet-coloured. The Hyssop-leaved, a native of Norway, Siberia, &c. has blue flowers, blowing in June.

The Siberian kind has pale blue flowers. The three last mentioned species should be sown towards the end of March: when about two inches high, they should be removed from where they were first sown into separate pots, about eight inches wide: this should be done carefully, without removing the ball of earth attached to them, and they should be placed in the shade until they have taken new root. They will last three or four years, sometimes longer; but will not flower well after that age. They should all be kept tolerably moist, particularly when newly planted. The Balm of Gilead is the only kind that requires shelter in the winter.

DRYAS.

ROSACEE.

ICOSANDRIA POLYGYNIA.

So called by Linnæus from the Dryades, or nymphs of the oaks: the leaves bearing some resemblance to those of the oak.

THE Five-petaled Dryas is a native of Siberia: it is a very small plant, bearing yellow flowers. The Eightpetaled species is a delicate little evergreen, with snowwhite blossoms, and extremely pretty: it is a native of Lapland, Denmark, Siberia, Ireland, Scotland, England, Italy, &c. Thus, like Homer, it may boast that at least seven different places claim the honour of its birth. It is a perennial plant, and will not suffer from cold. The earth should be kept moderately moist. It flowers in June.

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EGG-PLANT.

SOLANUM MELONGENA.

SOLANEE.

PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

The inhabitants of the British islands in the West Indies call it Brown-John, or Brown-Jolly.-French, mayenne; aubergine; beringene; verangeane; plante à œuf.-Italian, melanzana [mad apple] : uovo Turco [Turkish egg]; petronciano; marignano.

ALL the varieties of the Egg-plant are annual, and must be raised in a hot-bed: they are cultivated chiefly for their fruit, which is formed like an egg, and when white, has exactly the appearance of one: it varies in size from two to nine or ten inches in length; and in colour, from white to yellow, pale red, or purple. Here the fruit is only regarded as a curiosity; but in the East Indies they broil it, and eat it with salt and pepper; or slice it, pickle it for an hour or two, boil it tender, and eat it as greens. The Turks, who are fond of it, call it Badinjan.

"Thunberg says," speaking of Batavia, "Fokke Fokkes was the name by which the fruit of the Solanum Melongena was distinguished, which grew here both in a wild and a cultivated state. It is of an oblong form, something like a pear, of various sizes, of a quite smooth and shining exterior, and of a purple blue colour. The fruit has an agreeable taste when boiled in soup, or else boiled up in wine and pepper *."

Sibthorpe, speaking of the Isle of Athos, says, "Some of the caloyers were busy in cutting into slices the fruit of the Melongena, and tomatoes, to dry; these, with preserved olives, furnish a winter provision for the convent †.”

* Thunberg's Travels, vol. ii. p. 293.

+ Sibthorpe's Journal, p. 65; Walpole's Travels in the East.

It may be placed in the open air at the end of May. The fruit appears in July; and then, when the weather is dry, water should be given liberally every evening.

RHINANTHACEE.

ERINUS.

DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA.

French, l'erine; la mandeline.

THE Alpine Erinus is a pretty little plant, producing flowers of a lively purple, which are in bloom the greater part of the summer; appearing in April or May. It is a native of Germany, the Swiss Alps, the Pyrenees, and the South of France. It must not be set in a rich soil: it prefers a loamy earth, is fond of the shade, and may be increased by parting the roots in autumn. The Erinus grows naturally among the rocks, and will thrive well in the chinks of an old wall: it should have a little water in dry weather.

CORYMBIFERA.

EVERLASTING.

GNAPHALIUM.

SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA.

The botanical name is derived from the Greek, and signifies cotton, or nap: the origin of the familiar name is obvious.-French, gnaphale; cottoniere. Italian, gnafalio; elicriso,

THE Common Shrubby Everlasting grows to the height of about three feet. It has yellow flowers, which, if gathered before they are much opened, and kept from air and dust, will continue in beauty many years. It is a native of Germany, France, and Spain. By old writers, it is called Gold-flower, God's-flower, Goldilocks, Goldenstoechas, and Cassidony. This species, the Red-flowered,

and the Sweet-scented with yellow flowers, are sufficiently hardy to live in the open air in mild winters, if placed in a sheltered situation; but it is advisable to cover their roots with straw in frosty weather; and if very severe, they must be housed. The French usually call it l'immortelle jaune; but in Languedoc, sauveto.

The Pearly-White Everlasting is a native of North America, where it is called Life-Everlasting, because its silvery leaves will long preserve their beauty unchanged. It grows in extreme profusion in uncultivated fields, glades, &c. and flowers from July to September. A decoction of the stalks and flowers is used to foment the limbs for pains and bruises. It is said this species has been found wild in some parts of England; and in Wales, where it is used to adorn the graves of deceased friends-in allusion to their purity and immortality. The plantain-leaved is also a North American, and has white flowers. These two kinds will thrive in almost any soil or situation, and are easily increased by their roots, which may be transplanted in the

autumn.

There are many species from the Cape, requiring winter shelter, but not artificial heat: their flowers are white, purple, or yellow. The earth should be kept moderately moist for all the species.

The Eastern-Everlasting, called Golden-Flower-Gentle, is one of the Cape kinds: it has been long cultivated in Portugal, where, in the winter season, the churches are adorned with its brilliant flowers.

PERSONEÆ.

FOX-GLOVE.

DIGITALIS.

DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA.

This plant is also called Finger-Flower; the shape of the flower resembling the finger of a glove; and Bell-Flower.-French, dogtier [finger-flower]; gantlet; gants de notre dame.-Italian, guantelli; aralda.

THE COMMON Fox-glove is an extremely handsome flower, varying in colour from a Roman purple to a violet-colour, cream-colour, orange-tawny, blush-colour, or white. It has a poisonous quality, but in skilful hands becomes a useful medicine. This species is a native of Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and Great Britain; and flowers from June to August or September. A tincture of this plant is reckoned a valuable medicine in dropsical cases; and Dr. Hall mentions a case of this kind in which an Edinburgh physician used a decoction of it fresh gathered, and the boiled herb itself, in a bag of flannel, as an outward application. This author describes the Fox-glove as "a well known herb, that grows about rocks, and by the way-side, and has a number of beautiful purple flowers like ladies' thimbles*."

There is scarcely any other flower which has so elegant an effect as this, as an ornament for the hair. The writer has seen the natural flower so used to great advantage.

The Iron-coloured Fox-glove is a native of Italy and Constantinople, and flowers from the beginning of June to the end of July.

The seeds should be sown in autumn, about four in a pot seven or eight inches wide: in dry summer weather they should be watered every evening; but in the winter two or three times a week would be sufficient. The Canary

* Hall's Scotland, p. 590.

M