426 FLOWERS OF 



that 2,362 seeds have been taken from the disc of a 

 single flower, and hence, in rural spots, these seeds 

 are preserved for fattening poultry, and in the United 

 States are pressed for the oil they contain. From 

 what has been observed, it is obvious, that the more 

 double a syngenesious flower becomes, the less seed it 

 can produce, as this fullness of flower, as gardeners 

 call it, is caused by the change of tubular into ligulate 

 florets, or those that are inconspicuous and produce 

 seed, into those that are specious and produce none ; 

 and therefore those that are all show produce no fruit 

 at all a moral induction, which I need not attempt 

 to sharpen in further detail. 



As a flower suited for the base of the porch or 

 arbour, the Hydrangea must not be forgotten here; 

 the large bunches it forms presenting a very hand- 

 some appearance. The flowers, from over-develope- 

 ment, are almost always barren, and very variable in 

 their colour, passing through every shade of green and 

 blue to red, In peat earth, especially, they assume a 

 rich blue tint; yet, in rustic gardens, plants, with both 

 red and blue flowers, sometimes present themselves in 

 the same soil, with a fine ornamental effect, A moist 

 situation is most favourable to the luxuriant develope- 

 ment of the Hydrangea, and hence, as one of the 

 most thirsty of plants, its name, derived from the 

 Greek, as a water-vessel, is taken. When in a droop- 

 ing state, a supply of water revives it as magically as 

 it would a man dying from thirst. 



At this period of the year, the trailing Nasturtium 

 (Tropceolum majus)* becomes a great ornament to the 



The Latin name refers to the fancied trophies its flowers and leaves 

 form likened to empty helmets and shields. The English name points 

 ; out its affinity in smell, taste, and general properties, to the Nasturtia, or 



