Culture of the Sweet Pea 



679 



The most noticeable thing about CommeHn's drawing is the way in 

 which the wings are spread laterally, possibly due to the liberties 

 taken by the artist, for we also discover a seed pod near the top of 

 the stem above the flowers. 



Fig. 182. — The oldest dratvin^ of the sweet pea, lyoo. CommeHn's draw- 

 ing in Hort-Medici Amstelodamensis 



Dr. Leonard Plukenet,* in his " Almagesti Botanici Mantissa " (1700), 

 gives a description of the sweet pea. A dried specimen of buds, flowers, 



* Dr. Leonard Plukenet (1642-1706). Apothecary at Westminster, where he had a botanic garden. 

 Became superintendent of the gardens at Hampton Court, and Royal Professor of Botany. Published 

 several botanical works. 



