232 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



stances of this use of flowers are without number; but 

 there are not many more interesting than the following : 



" Bowing adorers of the gale. 

 Ye cowslips, delicately pale. 



Upraise your loaded stems ; 

 Unfold your cups in splendour, speak ! 

 Who deck'd you with that ruddy streak. 

 And gilt your golden gems ?" 



Clare. 



Notwithstanding their bitterness, Lupines were formerly 

 used as a food in some parts of Italy; particularly the 

 White Lupine, which is a native of the Levant, and was 

 then known also by the German name, Fig-bean. It was 

 also called the Tame Lupine. In Tuscany and the South 

 of France, where there is a want of manure, the Lupine is 

 ploughed into the land, and is thought to improve it: it is 

 used particularly for land intended for vineyards. 



The Lupines are from Africa, America, and many parts 

 of Europe. The Great Blue Lupine has been supposed 

 to be a native of India. Parkinson says it is from Kara- 

 mania; Linnaeus brings it from Arabia: but, whether it 

 comes from any, or from all of these countries, it is very 

 hardy, and sustains the changes of our climate manfully. 



LYCHNIS. 



CARYOPHYLLEyE. DECANDRIA PENTAGVNIA. 



The origin of this name is not known. Some say it signifies a torch, 

 and that the plant was so named from its flame-coloured flowers: 

 others derive it from lucei-na, a lamp, and suppose it to have been 

 given from the lamp-like shape of the capsule. 



The Scarlet Lychnis, which is the handsomest of these 

 plants, does not thrive well in a pot, because the roots 

 naturally spread to a great distance, and do not like con- 

 finement. It may, however, be grown in a very large pot, 

 and often is. 



