1965 
THE PURPLE LABURNUM. 
DIADELPHIA DE-CANDRIA. 
Nat. ord. FABACEZ, or LEGUMINOSE. 
CYTISUS. Supra, fol. 1191. 
GARDEN VARIETY. 
The Laburnum is so very beautiful a tree, that when, 
some years since, there was sent from France what was 
called a scarlet Laburnum, Cytisus Laburnum coccıneum, 
or the purple Laburnum, every body was anxious to obtain 
a plant with so promising a name. It was in vain that 
persons who knew something of the tricks of foreign dealers, 
cautioned their friends against allowing their expectations 
to become too sanguine. "The plants had a ready sale, and 
every body was eager to be the first to obtain a sight of the 
flowers. It is needless to describe the disappointment that 
was felt, when the scarlet Laburnum first produced such 
dull, dingy, dirty-purple clusters, as those in the accompa- 
nying plate. And yet what else could have been antici- 
pated? For it was well known that the origin of the variety 
was between C. purpureus and C. Laburnum. Surely 
nothing better ought to have been expected from an inter- 
mixture so monstrous in regard to the habit of the two 
parents, and so unpromising as to their colours. Purple 
and yellow do not form scarlet when they are mixed, but 
just such a tint as that which the purple Laburnum actually 
possesses. 
The plant is figured here merely for the sake of dis- 
pelling the false impression that still exists as to its appear- 
ance. Itis not at all worth cultivation. 
