THE CROCUS. 



Some derive the name of this flower from a beautiful 

 youth named Crocus, who is said to have been consumed by 

 the ardour of his affection for Smilax ; and afterwards meta- 

 morphosed into the plant which still bears his name. Others 

 suppose it to be taken from Coriscus, a city and mountain 

 of Cilicia. 



The Spring Crocus is common in various parts of Eu- 

 rope : there are many varieties ; and as this kind furnishes 

 the florists with seed, new varieties continually occur. The 

 most usual are the Common Yellow, Great Yellow, Deep 

 Blue, Light Blue, White with Blue Stripes, Blue with White 

 Stripes, White with a Purple Base, and Cream-coloured, — 

 all natives of Britain : as also several from Scotland ; the 

 Black and White Striped, Cloth of Gold, &c. 



The Yellow is the most showy for the garden, and the 

 Purple the most beautiful ; the White the most conspicuous, 

 and the most curious. 



If the season be mild, this plant will sometimes flower 

 in February, and continue to enliven the parterre until April. 



Crocus and Smilax may be turn'd to flowers, 

 And the Curetes spring from bounteous showers 

 I pass a hundred legends stale as these. 

 And with sweet novelty your taste will pJease. 



OVID. 



