AMARANTH. 233 



Nature hatli bestowed in hir greatest iollitie vpon 

 tliis flower." 



This plant, whose variegated leaves remind us of 

 Joseph's coat, is extremely ornamental amongst 

 evergreen shrubs, with which it forms a most agree- 

 able contrast, particularly when planted in clumps 

 of a sufficient size to give effect. This species grows 

 naturally in Persia, China, and Japan, as well as at 

 Ceylon, the Society Isles, &c. 



Prince's Feather, Amaranthus Hijpochondrlacm, 

 is a native of Virginia : it has been in this country 

 since the year 1684, and has so far naturalized 

 itself to our climate as to become a weed. This is 

 also an ornamental plant amongst dwarf shrubs and 

 in open spaces of the shrubbery. 



We learn from Dr. Turner, that one species of 

 Amaranth was cultivated in our gardens previous 

 to 1564, which he calls Amaranthus Purjnireus, 

 and says it is called in Enghsh *' Purple Veluet 

 Floure, or Flour Amour." 



The leaves of most of these species of Amaranth 

 are used as culinary plants in hot countries, and 

 the seeds of several of them were sent to this coun- 

 try for the same purpose ; but as they are neither 

 so hardy as spinach, nor so agreeable to the palate 

 when cooked, they have long since given place to 

 that esculent vegetable. 



The greater number of the Amaranths being 



