HIBISCUS. 179 



out the aid of a stove. It is a native of Italy and Austria, 

 bears a purple and yellow flower, and has long been known 

 in our English gardens by the name of the Venice Mallow, 

 Mallow of an Hour, Bladder Ketmia, Bladder Hibiscus, 

 or Good Night at Noon. " But," says Gerarde, " it should 

 rather be Good Night at Nine ; for this beautiful flower 

 opens at eight in the morning, and, having received the 

 beams of the sun, closes again at nine." 



" Ovid," continues he, " in speaking of the Adonis 

 flower, is thought to describe the Anemone, or Wind- 

 flower, which we rather deem to be this quick-fading Mal- 

 low ; for it is evident that Adonis flower, and all under 

 the title of Wind-flower, last more than one day ; but this 

 is so frail that it scarcely lasts an hour. Bion of Smyrna, 

 an ancient poet, says in his epitaph on Adonis, that the 

 Wind-flower sprung from Venus's tears while she was 

 weeping for Adonis ; but, doubtless, the plant was mis- 

 taken by the poet, considering the fragility of the flower 

 and the matter whereof it sprung, that is a woman's tears, 

 which last not long; as this flower, y/os hotxc, or Flower of 

 an Hour." 



Notwithstanding the facetiousness of the good Gerarde, 

 howevei', the Venice Mallow must be contented with her 

 own natural parentage, for that of the Anemone is too well 

 established to allow of her being superseded. 



Miller says, " that in fine sunny weather this flower will 

 remain open the whole day ; that in wet weather it will not 

 open at all ; but, when very fine, has been observed not to 

 close until half-past six in the evening." 



The first two plants must have very little water in 

 winter, and not a great deal in summer : they are tender, 

 and will always be better in the house, placed near an 

 open window in the summer, and kept pretty warm in 



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