362 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



S Y K I N G A. 



PHILADELPHUS. 



WYllTE^. ICOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



From Ptolemy Philaclelphus, King of Egypt. It is also called 



mock-orange, and pipe-tree. French, le seringat ; in Languedoc, 



siringea : — Italian, siringa. 



The Syi'inga is a most delicious shrub : the foHage is 

 kixuriant, the blossoms beautiful, and abundant, white as 

 the purest lily, and of the most fragrant scent ; in a room, 

 indeed, this perfume is too powerful, but in the air, it is 

 remarkably agreeable. There is a variety which has no 

 scent ; and also a dv/arf variety, which does not usually 

 exceed three feet in height : the flowers are sweet, and 

 double ; but it flowers rarely, and is on that account less 

 esteemed than otherwise it would be. 



There is a species called the Myrtle-leaved Syringa, a 

 native of New Zealand ; the fresh flowering shoots of 

 which were used as tea by Captain Cook's sailors, who 

 found the infusion sweetly aromatic at first ; in a short 

 time, however, it became very bitter. It was considered 

 serviceable in the sea-scurvy. 



The Sweet Syringa, specifically so called, is also a native 

 of New Zealand. It flowers in July and August ; the 

 Myrtle-leaved kind in June and July ; and the Mock- 

 orange in May and June. 



The Mock-orange is extremely hardy, and will thrive 

 in almost any soil or situation. It is a native of the South 

 of Europe : — the dwarf variety, of Carolina. 



This species may be increased by cuttings, planted 

 early in October. They must always be kept tolerably 

 moist. The other kinds may be increased in the same 

 way, but must be sheltered in the winter season. 



Mason speaks of the Syringa in his English Garden ; 



