Its variable nature consists chiefly in the size and arrange- 

 ment of its flower-heads, which are from 1 to nearly 2 inches 

 in diameter, with the borders of their scales stained more 

 or less with rich crimson. Sometimes the stalks of the 

 flower-heads are all of nearly the same length, and then 

 they form a simple raceme, as in our figure ; but very often 

 the stalks of the lowest are very long, and even branched, 

 and then a broad corymb is produced, which, on account of 

 the rich purple of the flowers, is exceedingly beautiful. 



It is one of the most common of this very handsome 

 genus, and perhaps the most worth cultivating ; for it is 

 less impatient of cold and wet than most of the others. 

 They are all, however, richly deserving the care of the 

 gardener; and it is probable that if they were kept in a 

 sandy peaty soil which is thoroughly well drained, and 

 covered by dead leaves in winter, as happens in their native 

 woods, they would all thrive equally well. Flowers from 

 August to October. 



