1834 



* CELOSIA coccinea. 



Scarlet Cockscomb. 



Nat. ord. Amaranthace^. 



CELOSIA, L. BractecB ivirnQTO incertae, scariosge, dcuminatEe, flore sup- 

 positge. Cahjx 5-phyllus, scariosus. Stcwiina breviter monadelpha filamentis 

 basi latissimis. Stigma leviter trifidum. Utriculus circumscissus, polyspermus. 



C. coccinea ; foliis anguste lanceolatis acuminatls, caule sulcato, spicis multipli- 

 cibus compressis acuminatis pyramidalibus, staminibus calyce brevioribus. 



C. coccinea. Mill. diet. no. 4. Willd. sp. pi. 1. 1199. Rom. Sf Schult. 5 

 465. 



One of the many forms in which the Cockscomb makes 

 its appearance in Asia ; but whether or not it is truly a 

 distinct species I cannot judge. It differs from C. cristata 

 chiefly in the crowded pyramidal arrangement of the inflo- 

 rescence, the narrower leaves, and the short stamens. It is 

 also a far more hardy plant, for while the common Cocks- 

 comb can only be brought to produce its stiff" and fantastical 

 crests with much care and assiduity, this demands no other 

 attention than is required by every tender annual, and goes 

 on enlarging its glowing crimson tassels, in the open border, 

 till winter destroys it. 



The drawing was made from specimens communicated 

 by the Hon. W. F, Strangways from his garden in Dorset- 

 shire, in the end of last October. 



* Said to be derived from K/jXeoc, something burnt ; because the flowers look 

 as if scorched and dried up by exposure to heat. 



