with many of the more shewy high-priced novelties, it is an abiding plant, not subject to casualties, while many of those are here to day and gone to morrow.

It throws up its flowering stems, supporting numerous, starry, stonecrop-like flowers, in July and August, and is most readily propagated by cuttings.

It is one of those species of Houseleek which connect the genera Sedum & Sempervivum.

[297]

Dianthus Superbus. Superb Pink.

Class and Order.

Decandria Digynia.

Generic Character.

Cal. cylindricus, 1-phyllus: basi squamis 4. Petala 5 unguiculata. Caps. cylindrica, 1-locularis.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

DIANTHUS superbus floribus paniculatis: squamis calycinis brevibus acuminatis, corollis multifido-capillaribus, caule erecto. Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 418.

CARYOPHYLLUS simplex alter, flore laciniato odoratissimo. Bauh. Pin. 210.

CARYOPHYLLUS plumarius Austriacus sive superba Austriaca. The feathered Pinke of Austria. Park. Parad. p. 316. 4.

Many of the plants of this genus diffuse an agreeable odour, which renders them most desirable objects for the flower-garden: this quality the present species possesses in a superior degree to most others; a few of its flowers communicate to a nosegay a delicate and most delicious smell, or placed in a vial of water they will even scent a small apartment[B]: it is to be regretted, however, that the blossoms, unless placed in water, from their extreme delicacy, flag soon after they are gathered.

It may be doubted whether the Dianthus superbus of Miller's Dict. ed. 6. 4to. be our plant; if it be, the description is not drawn up with that accuracy which distinguishes his descriptions in general; the mode of culture, however, which he recommends is strictly applicable to it, as the plant rarely continues in vigour more than two years, and as it is in its greatest beauty the first year of its flowering, he recommends that young plants should be annually raised for succession from seeds, which are plentifully produced; the seeds of this plant ought therefore to be kept in the shops with annuals and biennials.

The Dianthus superbus is a native of Germany, Switzerland, France, and Denmark: Clusius found it growing in the moist meadows about Vienna, and on the borders of woods adjoining to such, with some of its flowers white, others purplish; Parkinson describes them of these two colours, but says the most ordinary with us are pure white, which is contrary to what we now find them: they are rarely produced before August, from which period they will continue frequently to blossom till October.

The Spring is the best time for sowing its seeds; the plants require no very nice or particular treatment.

[298]

Origanum Dictamnus. Dittany Of Crete.

Class and Order.

Didynamia Gymnospermia.

Generic Character.

Strobilus tetragonus, spicatus, calyces colligens.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

ORIGANUM Dictamnus foliis inferioribus tomentosis, spicis nutantibus. Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 541. Ait. Kew. v. 2 p. 311. Dittany of Candia.

DICTAMNUS creticus. Bauh. Pin. p. 222.

By the name of Dittany of Crete, the species of Origanum here figured, has long been known in this country as a medicinal plant; to the purposes of physic it still indeed continues to be applied, as imported in a dried state from the Levant: when bruised, the whole plant gives forth an aromatic fragrance, highly grateful; as an ornamental plant, it has also been long, and is now, very generally cultivated in this country. Turner, whose Herbal was printed in 1568, writes thus concerning it, "I have sene it growynge in England in Maister Riches gardin naturally, but it groweth no where ellis that I know of, saving only in Candy." As at this period no idea was entertained of a greenhouse, the plant must have been cultivated in the open ground, where it would doubtless grow readily, if secured from the severity of the weather, it being more hardy than many plants usually kept in greenhouses.

This plant is at all times ornamental, but more particularly so when in flower, in which state it appears during most of the summer and autumnal months.

It is usually increased by cuttings, which strike readily.

[299]

Hermannia Alnifolia. Alder-Leaved Hermannia.

Class and Order.

Monadelphia Pentandria.

Generic Character.

Pentagyna. Caps. 5-locularis. Petala basi semitubulata, obliqua.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

HERMANNIA alnifolia foliis cuneiformibus lineatis plicatis crenato-emarginatis. Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 610. Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 412.

ARBUSCULA africana tricapsularis ononidis vernæ singulari folio. Pluk. Mant. 14. t. 239. f. 1.

Hermannia is a genus of plants named in honour of Dr. Paul Herman, a Dutch Botanist of great celebrity, author of the Paradisus Batavus, and other valuable works: twenty-six species are enumerated in the 13th edition of the Syst. Naturæ of Linnæus by Prof. Gmelin, and eight in the Hortus Kewensis of Mr. Aiton; most of those in the latter work are cultivated in the nurseries near town: they form a set of the more hardy greenhouse plants, grow readily, and flower freely; their blossoms are for the most part yellow, and have a considerable affinity with those of the