GLEANINGS FROM OLD AUTHORS. 83 



" Semper Augustus, heretofore of much esteem, hath a flower 

 not very large, but well veined and striped with deep crimson and 

 pale yellow, the bottom and tamis dark violet purple." 



" Royal Vesta, or Nonpare, is a better and more constant flower 

 than the last (viz, Vesta). The colours are carnation, crimson, 

 and white. When the flower makes well, the bottom is white and 

 the tamis blew." 



" For various colours Tulips most excell, 

 And some Anemonies do please as well ; 

 Ranunculus in richest scarlets shine, 

 And Bear's-ear* may with these in beauty joyn ; 

 But yet if ask and have were in my power, 

 Next to the Rose give me the July flower." 



The above few lines are written at the close of the article on 

 July flowers, and it appears that at that period the supply for the 

 growers were brought from Holland, Flanders, and other parts of 

 the Netherlands. He inserts a list of 360 by name, and says, — 

 " Multitudes of these (seedlings) are often brought over to London, 

 and there sold at mean rates to gardners, who sell them again to 

 others who delight in flowers, commonly for 12 pence a layer ; 

 but most of these mercenary fellows about London are very deceit- 

 ful, and whoever trusts is sure to be deceived, as I myself have 

 often been, even by such of them as I had by many benefits 

 obliged." 



" I have heard but of very few good flowers that have been raised 

 of seeds by any in England." 



The following is from the Compleat Fbrist (1706) : 



** Of Sun-flowers or Turnsoles, otherwise called Heliotropes. 

 " Sun-flower is the true name of this plant, of which I am now 

 treating, and 'tis call'd in Latin Corona Solis. We call it Turn- 

 sole from an Italian word, which signifies turning it self towards 

 the sun : and Heliotrope, from Heliotropium, deriv'd from dXjoj, 

 which signifies the sun, and from rptmi, which is in English ' I 

 turn' : the flower of this plant turning it self always towards the 

 sun, because it being heavy, and its stalk heated and soften'd on 

 the side next the sun, it must naturally incline that way. 



* Auricula. 



