SAXIPB ' 2G7 



naturally in Yorkshire, but more abundantly in the 



mountains of Ireland. It is also a native of the 

 Alps, from whence, we presume, it was first brought 

 into our gardens, as it was in cultivation for many 

 ages before it had been noticed as an indigenous 

 plant of these islands. 



Parkinson speaks of it, in 1629, under the name 

 of Serf urn, and observes, u some of our English 

 gentlewomen have called it Prince's Feather, which 

 although it be but a bye-name, may well serve for 

 this plant, to distinguish it." It was afterwards 

 called None-so-pretty, and if we view it with the 

 attention that its beauties demand, we must ac- 

 knowledge that but few flowers are prettier, and 

 that Nature has not painted any flower with more 

 delicacy than the pretty-spotted petals of this plant. 

 When viewed through a microscope, its beauties 

 seem to increase, as the young flower-buds appear 

 like so many ripening peaches, whilst the sprays 

 seemed frosted with diamonds. The foliage is also 

 exceedingly pretty, being set in rosettes like the 

 Houseleek and common Daisy. It is one of the 

 plants that will grow in confined and shady situa- 

 tions, and was therefore much cultivated in London 

 as long as an unpaved spot could be found : hence 

 it was called London Pride. 



The French named this plant Mignonnette, which 

 means curiously delicate: they also bestow on it the 



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