beared subsequently) and from other quarters. The species 

 had however certainly been cultivated at Chelsea in 1764, 

 by Miller, who received it from Nimpu; but was most 

 probably soon lost, since we do not find it mentioned in 

 the first edition of the llortus Kewensis. 



The receptacle of the flower, in the specimens which have 

 been inspected in enropean gardens, lias been found to be 

 clothed with chaff-like bractes ; while that of those from 

 India, in various Herbariums, is said to be naked. Hence 

 both the specific identity, as well as the admissibility of 

 the former into a genus, of which a naked receptacle is a 

 character, have been questioned. But from subsequent 

 observation it appears now to be held, that the chaff is ad- 

 ventitious, and an effect of luxuriance ; so that, on this 

 head at least, its present rank is no longer disputed. 

 When cultivated in Provence, the florets are said to be 

 studded with yellow powdery highly odoriferous particles, 



which disappear in the colder climate of Paris ; where, as 

 we are told, the florets have a greater tendency to retain 

 their tubular or, as the gardeners term it, " quilled" form; 

 and not to open into thongs or ligulas. In that state the 

 appearance of the flower is considerably altered, the paler 

 opaque exterior of the florets presenting itself, instead of 

 the deeper-coloured bright interior. No flower varies more 

 in colour, whence it has become by its numerous hues a prin- 

 cipal decoration of our conservatories in the dreary months 

 of November and December. It survives in the open air 

 our severest winters, in any soil (except a very wet one) 

 and situation; but succeeds best when dressed and attended 

 to; seldom expanding in perfection unless under shelter 

 and in warmth. A favourite with the florists throughout 

 India, but particularly in China, where it is kept in a 

 dwarf state, and the flowers treated much in the same way 

 as directed by our gardeners for the management of the 

 Carnation. We have heard that the single-rayed plant is in 

 our gardens, but have not seen it. The bloom, when smellecl 

 near, reminds us of the Chamomile, of which by some 

 authors it has been esteemed a congener. 



We are told, if cuttings about four or five inches long 

 are taken from the upper part of the stems in May or June, 

 and planted in garden-mould, under a hand-glass, in the 

 usual way, they will take root and flower the same season in 

 a dwarf state; and if only one flower is left to stand, the 

 bloom will be considerably larger than when more remain. 









