FLORA AND THALIA. 91 



CLOVE PINK. 



(Diaiithns Caryophilius.) 



This fragrant plant is perennial, and grows wild in 

 several parts of England, in old walls and in crevices 

 of rocks (at Rochester, Deal, Sandown, and other 

 castles, plentifully) : but the choicest kinds are cul- 

 tivated in our gardens, where they become extremely 

 luxuriant ; and by the aid of culture, that beautiful 

 variety is raised, so highly esteemed under the name 

 of Carnation ; and which is universally acknowledged 

 a worthy leader of one of the finest natural orders. 

 When we consider the size of the flower, the beauty 

 of its colour, the arrangement of its parts, and, above 

 all, the sin^larly rich and spicy odour that it ex- 

 hales, we cannot withhold that tribute of admiration 

 which will ever be given it. For ornament and 

 beauty, we should gather these flowers from the 

 parterre ; but as botanists, we should take them from 

 a wall, or a dry untilled soil, where their simplicity, 

 and the clearness of their natural character, will make 

 amends for their want of splendour. 



Class, Decandria. Order, Digynia. 



