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or six inches long, and one and a hall' broad. The seed-vessel conies 

 out from between the leaves in April, and the seeds ripen in IVIay, 

 after which the leaves soon decay. It is a native of most parts of 

 Europe. 



There are varieties, with white flowers: with striped flowers; 

 with broad leaves; with striped leaves; with many flowers; with 

 double purpliJi flowers; with double white flowers; with many 

 white flowers. The double sorts arc chiefly cultivated in the garden. 



The second species has a smaller root, with a darker coat: the 

 leaves come up soon after the flowers decay, and continue green all 

 winter; long, narrow, and spread on the ground, decaying in June: 

 the flowers are of a reddish purple colour, and appear from August 

 to September. It is a native of Spain, &c. 



In the third the leaves are smaller than those of the common sort, 

 for the most part three in number, and of a paler and fresher green 

 colour, lying close upon the ground, broad at the bottom, a little 

 pointed at the end, waved about the edges: the root is not so large 

 as that of the common sort: the flowers are smaller, but very beau- 

 tiful, whitish, with deep blue or purple spots. It is rather tendei', 

 and blows about October or November. It is a native of the Greek 

 islands. 



Culture. —These plants are increased by dividing the bunches of 

 their roots at the time their leaves decay, in the latter part of the sum- 

 mer; as from the latter end of June till the middle of the followina 

 month, planting the separated bulbs or off-sets to the depth of about 

 three inches. 



They are sometimes planted in beds, in rows at eight or ten 

 inches asunder; but they may be dispersed in the fronts of borders 

 and clumps with success. 



It is of advantage to take up and divide the bunches ol" root- 

 bulbs every two or three years. 



New varieties may be raised from seed sown in boxes, or large 

 pots, in autumn, covering it a quarter of an inch deep, and placing 

 them in a warm situation till spring, wlien the plants will appear, 

 which should have only the morning sun during sunmier, giving wa- 



