2m FLORA HISTORIC A. 



den at Paris, by our celebrated countryman 

 Sherard, which would make its introduction 

 nearly fifty years earlier than the time stated 

 by Mr. Aiton. 



The Hoary, or Rose Cistus, Incanus, is also a 

 most beautiful species, but being a native of 

 Spain and the south of France, it has hitherto 

 been found to require some protection during the 

 winter months, excepting when planted in warm 

 and sheltered situations. 



The history of the Gum Cistus, Ladaniferus, 

 will be found in the Sylva Florifera, and for a 

 knowledge of the remainder of these beautiful 

 plants we must recommend the inspection of the 

 Botanical works with coloured plates^ since no- 

 thing short of coloured drawings can give a just 

 idea of their numerous varieties and varied beau- 

 ties. 



The Cistus appears to have been a favourite 

 flower even in the infancy of British gardening, 

 since Gerard has left us representations and 

 descriptions of no less than thirty-eight kinds 

 that were cultivated in the time of Queen Eliza- 

 beth. 



The generic name of these plants is of great 

 antiquity, since the fables of the Greeks inform 

 us that it was called K/^ro^, after a youth named 



