lightbody's seedling uanpnculuses. 141 



the soil lias nothing to do with it. We cannot have any reason to 

 suppose that tiie compost they are growing in can affect one flower, or 

 half a flower, and not affect the rest of the bloom or blooms. Let any 

 one who discusses this subject take these facts, which are indisputable, 

 into consideration. There is a singular propensity to run to a self in 

 all highly-coloured Carnations, and to remain selfs several years ; but 

 there is much certainty of their coming back to the fine variegated 

 character, in the same way that a breeder Tulip will break into fine 

 colours. But the Carnation is unlike the Tulip, in first blooming well 

 and variegated ; whereas the Tulip rarely or ever blooms in any but 

 tiie breeder, or self form. It has been said by old Carnation growers 

 that they would sooner have some kinds after they have been recovered 

 from selfs than before they have gone back to such selfs. Cartwright's 

 Rainbow is especially fine wlien it comes back from the run colour. 

 It has, however, been very commonly the case that run flowers, as 

 they are called, are thrown away altogether. This is wrong, if the 

 sort is at all weakly ; for nothing is sooner lost than the stock of a 

 variety that yields but little grass. It is a most extraordinary fact, tliat 

 among many Tulips that have gone back to the breeder, and have broken 

 again, they have proved finer than ever ; and yet there is nothing upon 

 whicli so much nonsense has been written, and so little sound informa- 

 tion given, as the breaking of Tulips and the running of Carnations. 



LIGHTBODY'S SEEDLL\G RANUNCULUSES. 



BY U. DICKSON. 



In some of the recent numbers of the Cabinet I notice that par- 

 ticular attention is directed to the culture of that modest, beautiful 

 flower the Ranunculus. The following descriptive list of eighteen of 

 Lightbody's superb seedlings I received from him, and having seen the 

 flowers last season, I can attest they are correctly described, and merit 

 all that is said of them. Collections should be visited, or stands at 

 shows be examined this season by persons desirous of having a dis- 

 tinctive variety of these admirable beauties. 



Amiot Lyle. — A very distinct rose edge, of beautiful form, and 

 clear white ground. 



Chimpanzee. — A very large and full flower, deep rose edge, on a 

 clear white ground. 



Commodore Napier. — A very large and full flower, fi'ee bloomer, 

 deep red edge, upon a clear straw ground. 



Constantia. — A flower of very fine form, a red edge, on a rich 

 yellow. 



Colonel Dennie. — Rich yellow ground, edged with deep red, perfect 

 shape. 



JJr. Horner. — A splendid flower, of fine form ; the petals are of 

 great substance, and edged with purple. 



General Robertson. — Remarkably double flower, distinctly marked 

 with fine dark crimson, upon a creamy ground. 



James Montgomery, — A very dark purple edge, form first-rate, 

 creamy ground. 



