214 



vxrieties. It is recorded from St. Vincent, ])ut not Trinidad, 

 although there are reasons for believing it may be indigenous 

 a'so to the latter colony. Zinnias have now become so exten- 

 s'vely grown that by many people in Trinidad they are regarded 

 "With disdain. 



Wrtljfia : Two species of this are known in the West Indies, 

 but only one is credited by Grisebach to Trinidad, viz, W. steno- 

 (jlossa, D.C., Mr. Carr informs me he found the other W. havan- 

 ensis, D.C., atMonos in October 1869, and at Maracas Bay on Jany. 

 30th 1869. He adds, "they a,re interesting to the European 

 observer from their orangy-yellow flowers rem.inding him forcibly 

 of the Marygold." 



Helianthus : This genus contains the v/ell-known Sunflower 

 (fl. annuus) a native of the Western United States, and recorded 

 as being known in 1596, and the equally well-known Jerusalem 

 Artichoke (//. tuherosus) also recorded so far back as 1617. A 

 native of Canada and the United States. Jerusalem (properly 

 Girasola) Artichokes are especially good for flavouring soups. 



Spi^anthes : of *S'. exasperata, Jacq., Mr. Thos. W. Care 

 writes — " when one nips oft' and chews the small close-set orangy 

 c ipitulum, it agreeably excites the salivary glands and soon fills 

 the mouth with spittle, however dry it may have been just before 

 trying the exi:)eriment." Mr. Cark has been a close observer for 

 some forty years of the Trinidad flora and consequently can speak 

 with authority on the subject. This is a very common plant in 

 gatter-banks and damp open places. 



Dahlia : A very familiar genus, recorded to have l^een intro- 

 duced into England during the year 1789 by the Marchioness of 

 Bute. Subsequently Lady Holland, it seems, interested herself 

 also in the introduction of this popular flov/er in 1804. 



From D. coccinea, D. Merch and Z>. variabilis, it is said the 

 bulk of the numerous garden forms have sprung. Within the 

 past few years a very enthusiastic fashion has arisen for single 

 flowered Dahlias, up to which time the double forms were chiefly 

 those appreciated for cultural purposes. I). Juarezii, the Cactus 

 Dahlia, and its forms, are great favourites. 



Large sums of money have been won in the past at the exhi- 

 bition table by horticulturists after many keenly fought and 

 exciting competitions, as to who could display the best set of cut 

 Dahlias, and perhaps it is so at the present day, although 

 • I am inclined not to think so. 



Tarjetes : The marygold genus, comprising some 20 species, 

 natives of the warmer parts of America. The African Marygold 

 (7'. erecta) and the Fi-ench Marygold (T. patnla) are perhaps the 

 bast known. 



Anthemis : Respecting this genus, wherein is placed the 



