216 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



sun till about eleven o'clock. They do not flower till the 

 fifth year after they are sown. 



CYTISUS. 



LEGUMINOS^. DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. 



Said to have been first found in the island of Cythnus, whence it 

 has derived its name. — French, le cytise. — Italia?i, citiso ; avorniello ; 

 maggio pendolino. 



Of this genus is that most elegant tree, the Laburnum, 

 which drops its yellow blossoms so invitingly, as if wooing 

 the beholder to pluck them. There are two varieties of 

 Cytisus ; one with narrower leaves and longer blossoms 

 than the other, which is by far the handsomest, and is 

 very justly called Golden-chain. I have seen a sprig of 

 this in a lady's hair, where its bright green leaves, and its 

 drooping blossoms, intermingling with the rich chestnut 

 curls, had a -very graceful appearance. But unfortunately 

 it does not long survive the gathering : so that ladies who 

 are disposed to adorn themselves with it must have re- 

 course to imitation ; and this, notwithstanding the per- 

 fection to which artificial flowers have been brought of 

 late, will not easily equal the real flower. 



It is well for the present purpose that the handsomest 

 of the Laburnums is the smallest tree, and may be grown 

 in a tub for many years. They ought to be in company 

 with leafier trees, as they are but sparingly supplied with 

 green of their own. Who would not have at least one of 

 them, were it but to place by the side of the Persian lilac, 

 or the rhododendron ? 



It has been recommended to sow the Laburnum in 

 plantations infested with hares and rabbits ; for so long 

 as they can find a sprig of it, they will touch nothing else : 



