240 FLORA HISTORICA. 



soil, will continue for several years, but when 

 planted in rich or moist ground^ seldom survives 

 a second year. Few plants are better -calculated 

 to ornament rockwork or gravelly banks than this 

 native, particularly when all the varieties of co- 

 lours are collected on one spot ; for, as Akenside 

 observes, 



*' In colours mingfled 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 con- 

 finement of the small calyx with such velocity, 

 that although they instantly expand to a hori- 

 zontal position, their crumpled petals never be- 

 come smooth, which circumstance 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 propagated by cuttings or 

 layers, which is the most desirable mode of pro- 

 pagating the white and rose-coloured varieties, as 



