petalis bifidis. Linn. Syst. Vegetab. p. 651. Sp. Pl. p. 1280.

DRACUNCULUS virginianus latifolius, petalis florum longissimis purpurascentibus. Moris. Hist. 3. p. 42. f. 6. t. 9. f. 1.

This species differs from the other plants of the genus, in the colour of its outermost petals, which are long, narrow, purple, and pendulous, and not unaptly resemble small pieces of red tape. Notwithstanding it is a native of the warm climates Carolina and Virginia, it succeeds very well with us in an open border: but, as Mr. Miller very justly observes, it will always be prudent to shelter two or three plants under a common hot-bed frame in winter, to preserve the kind, because in very severe winters, those in the open air are sometimes killed. It flowers in July. As it rarely ripens its seeds with us, the only mode of propagating it, is by parting the roots; but in that way the plant does not admit of much increase.

[3]

Helleborus hyemalis. Winter Hellebore, or Aconite.

Class and Order.

Polyandria Polygynia[A].

Generic Character.

Calyx 0. Petala 5 sive plura. Nectaria bilabiata, tubulata. Capsulæ polyspermæ erectiusculæ.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

HELLEBORUS hyemalis flore folio infidente. Linn. Syst. Vegetab. p. 431. Sp. Pl. p. 783.

ACONITUM unifolium bulbosum. Bauh. Pin. 183.

The Winter's Wolfesbane. Park. Parad. p. 214.

Grows wild in Lombardy, Italy, and Austria, affects mountainous situations, flowers with us in February, and hence is liable to be cut off by severe frosts. "Is propagated by offsets, which the roots send out in plenty. These roots may be taken up and transplanted any time after their leaves decay, which is generally by the beginning of June till October, when they will begin to put out new fibres; but as the roots are small and nearly the colour of the ground, so if care is not taken to search for them, many of the roots will be left in the ground. These roots should be planted in small clusters, otherwise they will not make a good appearance, for single flowers scattered about the borders of these small kinds are scarce seen at a distance; but when these and the Snowdrops are alternately planted in bunches, they will have a good effect, as they flower at the same time, and are much of a size." Millers Gard. Dict.

[4]

Cyclamen Coum. Round-leav'd Cyclamen.

Class and Order.

Pentandria Monogynia.

Generic Character.

Corolla rotata, reflexa, tubo brevissimo fauce prominente. Bacca tecta capsula.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

CYCLAMEN Coum foliis orbiculatis planis, pediculis brevibus, floribus minoribus. Miller's Dict.

CYCLAMEN hyemale orbiculatis foliis inferius rubentibus purpurascente flore; Coum Herbariorum. Hort. reg. Paris. Herm. Cat.

CYCLAMEN orbiculato folio inferne purpurascente. Bauh. Pin. p. 307.

The common round-leav'd Sowebread. Park. Parad. p. 198.

Grows wild in many parts of Italy and Germany, and is sometimes found with white flowers; if the season be mild, or the plants sheltered from the inclemency of the weather, this species will flower as early as February, or much earlier by artificial heat.

As it grows naturally in woods and shady places, it will thrive best in a mixture of bog-earth and loam placed in a north border; if planted in the open border, it will require to be covered with a hand-glass during winter, and in the spring, when in bloom; the more usual method with gardeners is to preserve them in pots in a common hot-bed frame, the advantage of this method is that they may, at any time, be removed to decorate the parlour or the study.

The plants of this genus admit of but little increase by their roots; the best method of propagating them is by seed, which should be sown soon after they are ripe in boxes or pots, and covered about half an inch deep, placing them where they may have only the morning-sun, till the beginning of September, when they may be removed to a warmer exposure.

[5]

Erythronium Dens Canis. Dogs-Tooth, or Dogs-Tooth Violet.

Class and Order.

Hexandria Monogynia.

Generic Character.

Corolla 6-petala, campanulata: Nectario tuberculis 2-petalorum alternorum basi adnatis.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

ERYTHRONIUM Dens Canis. Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p. 269. Sp. Pl. p. 437.

Dens Canis latiore rotundioreque folio. Bauh. Pin. 87.

Dogs-Tooth with a pale purple flower. Park. Parad. p. 194.

Of this genus Mr. Miller makes two species; Linnæus, perhaps with more propriety, only one, for breadth of leaves or colour of flowers can scarcely be considered as sufficient to constitute a specific difference.

It is found in the gardens with purple flowers of two different tints, also with white and yellow blossoms, grows naturally in Hungary and some parts of Italy, and blows in the open border at the beginning of April.

"They are propagated by offsets from their roots. They love a shady situation and a gentle loamy soil, but should not