REVIEW. 185 



of hardy annuals, formerly referred to Campanula ; of these the 

 most interesting is No. 5, which, with, its varieties, are old and 

 well-known inhabitants of the flower-garden — esteemed alike for 

 their neat habits of growth and profusion of bloom. The name of 

 Venus Looking-glass is supposed to have been applied to this 

 species from the resemblance, that its corolla bears to the ancient 

 form of a mirror, which was round ; whence the astrological sign of 

 Venus was made to represent a round mirror with its handle. The 

 whole succeed in rich light soil ; and the seeds, which are small, 

 should, when sown, be sparingly covered with earth. 



Reseda L. Mignonette, /iesedocts. Dndecaiulrid Trigynia. 

 odorata L. sweet-scented St. 6.. lo 1 Egypt 1752 



Derivation of generic name from the Latin Resedo, to calm or 

 appease, the plant having been considered as erlicacious in re- 

 moving external bruises. The Mignonette is a well-known univer- 

 sal favourite, and occupies a prominent place in every flower- 

 garden, where it is especially useful for growing under or amongst 

 dahlias, and other showy flowers, which are either devoid of, or 

 have a disagreeable smell. " The luxury of the garden says Mr. 

 Curtis, (conductor of the Botanical Magazine bearing his name,) 

 " is greatly heightened by the delightful odour which this little 

 plant diffuses ; and, as it grows readily in pots, its iragrance can 

 be conveyed to the house." Its perfume, though not so refresh- 

 ing as the Sweet-briar, is not apt to offend the most delicate 

 olfactories. The Mignonette is also universally esteemed for 

 growing in boxes or flower-pots, particularly in town windows ; 

 and, although generally treated as an annual, yet, if protected 

 from frost, and prevented from flowering too profusely by pinch- 

 ing off about one-half of the flower-spikes, it will attain the size 

 and habits of a shrub, and last for many years. Seeds may be sown 

 in April ; either in a hot-house to force it, or in the open border, 

 where it will flower freely and ripen its seeds, by which it will 

 perpetuate itself without further care than is necessary to clear the 

 young plants from weeds. 



Riiodanthe Ld. Rhodanthb. Compobita:. Sungenesia sEqtialis. 



Manglesii Ld. Capt. Mangles Ko. 6.. 9 1 Swan Riv. 1834 



This genus according to Dr. Hooker, seems to be nearly allied 

 to Podolepis, but differs in the form of the involucrum ; and has 

 its name given in allusion to the beautiful rosy color of its flowers. 

 The only known species is a very handsome annual, possessing 

 the brilliancy of the Cape Helicherysum, but without the stifuess 

 and formality of that plant. It can be brought to flower in the 

 green-bouse, at almost any season of the year, by sowing the seeds 

 about two months previous. It also thrives out of doors ; where, 

 however, the delicacy of its form does not appear to such advan- 

 tage as when grown under glass ; it should be sparingly watered, 

 have a free circulation of air, and be grown in moderately-sized 

 pots, well drained, and supplied with rich light soil. 

 Vol. VII. No. 78. y 



