43? FLORA HISTORICA. 



general, but who now amply compensate for for- 

 mer neglect by their present industry in pro- 

 curing varieties, and their skill in growing them, 

 which is such as promises to rival even the 

 Chinese themselves. We already possess about 

 thirty varieties of this ornamental plant, and we 

 may calculate that in a few years from this time 

 we shall obtain all the kinds known in China 

 and Japan. Like the roses of China, the Chry- 

 santhemums soon escaped from the confinement of 

 the conservatories of the curious, and as rapidly 

 spread themselves over every part of the island, 

 filling the casements of the cottagers and the 

 parterres of the opulent with their autumnal beau- 

 ties, that now vie with the Asters of their native 

 land in splendour and variety of colour. 



These beautiful vivacious plants have their 

 branches clothed with a foliage deeply cut, and 

 which is covered with a vegetable wool or flock- 

 like substance. The general colour is of an ashy 

 green similar to that of the foliage of the arti- 

 choke, although the shades differ considerably 

 in the varieties, some being much lighter than 

 others ; on the whole, we should pronounce the 

 most frequent colour to be a pale dull green, al- 

 though when planted in the open garden the hue 

 becomes of a more cheerful tint, particularly in 

 the spring, when it assumes a yellower cast. 



