CISTUS. 221 



of colours arc collected on one spot ; for, as Akcn- 

 side observes, 



In colours mingled with a random blaze, 

 Doth beauty dwell. 



The corolla of the Cistus consists of five round- 

 ish petals, that are large in comparison to the size 

 of the plant, and which burst from the confinement 

 of the small calyx with such velocity, that although 

 they instantly expand to a horizontal position, their 

 crumpled petals never become smooth, which cir- 

 cumstance forms a general character in nearly all 

 the species. This and their numerous stamens 

 add greatly to the delicacy and beauty of the 

 flower, as there are generally from ninety to a 

 hundred anthers surrounding each style. These 

 plants may be raised from seed sown on the spot 

 where they are to remain, and they can also be pro- 

 pagated by cuttings or layers, which is the most 

 desirable mode of propagating the white and rose- 

 coloured varieties, as they are not always permanent 

 when obtained from seed. 



The greater number of the Cistus tribe are 

 natives of the south and warm parts of Europa, 

 and are always found in dry sheltered situations, 

 but never in the shade. We have hitherto seen 

 no species of the Cistus from China or the Indies, 

 and but one from America, and two from the Ca- 

 nary Islands. The oblong-leaved Cistus, Vagi- 



