with a kind of pubescence on its surface giving it an appear- 

 ance of velvet. Stem erect, rising to the height of about three 

 feet. The flowers are of a brilliant scarlet, and form a spike 

 at the end of the stem. 



The splendour of this herbaceous perennial is such as to 

 call forth the admiration of every beholder. Whether it be 

 intermixed in the herbaceous border, or in a bed forming a 

 group of the hardy species of this genus, among which there 

 are many possessing much beauty, it will nevertheless be pro- 

 minent for brilliancy. It may be grown to great perfection in 

 pots, for the purpose of ornamenting flower-houses during the 

 summer months ; for this purpose it should be cultivated by 

 means of artificial heat in the early part of the season, and 

 may by this method be made to obtain the height of five or 

 six feet, although in the open border it rarely exceeds the 

 height of three feet : its earliest flowers appear in July, with a 

 succession until the end of August. 



Every facility is afforded by this plant for rapid propagation 

 and general cultivation : it freely increases by its roots, which 

 may be separated in the month of March, very small portions 

 of which will produce plants. It thrives well in a light rich 

 earth, composed of portions of light garden mould, decayed 

 leaves, and rotten manure. It is a native of North America. 

 The date of its introduction is not correctly ascertained. 



REFERENCES TO THE PLATE. 



1. The stamens exhibited, showing their union at the anthers. 



2. The pistil, with the corolla and calyx removed. 



