82 CTCLAJIEN PEESICTTM PTTNCTATXTM. 



Hyacinth, and other early -flowering bulbs. They should be re-potted in autumn as 

 soon as they manifest a disposition to grow in small pots, about double the 

 diameter of the tuber, which should have its upper surface slightly raised above the 

 level of the soil. This should be of the nature indicated in speaking of their 

 cultivation in the open border ; and as the pots are placed out in summer, a little 

 soot should be laid over the draining crocks, not immediately upon them, or it 

 would be liable to fall through, but with a thin, compressed layer of moss or turfy 

 peat between. This will prevent the entrance of worms, which would cause much 

 injury to the root- fibres proceeding from the tuber, which are few in number, and 

 of delicate structure. After potting, they may be left out of doors as long as there 

 is no risk of frost, when they should be removed to the window, but little water 

 being given at first until the leaves are well developed, and the flower buds begin 

 to rise, when the allowance may be increased. A tuber of moderate size will 

 produce flowers in succession for two months. The leaves will receive much benefit 

 from an occasional sponging, which will remove the dust so commonly found on all 

 plants kept in sitting rooms in the winter season. 



After flowering, they require an abundant supply of air, and to be duly watered 

 until the leaves begin to wither, and all the species but persicum and its varieties, 

 may be placed at once out of doors ; that, however, is too tender to allow of entire 

 exposure to the spring frosts, and should be retained within until May. 



The Botanical characters of the genus Cyclamen are well defined. All the species 

 agree in having a tuberous root more or less flattened ; leaves springing from the 

 centre of the crown of the tuber; and flowers borne singly on stalks, generally 

 much longer than those of the foliage ; the petals being reflexed, and more or less 

 twisted. The most striking peculiarity, however, of these pretty plants, is that 

 offered by the ripening seed vessel, which may be classed among the most remarkable 

 of the phenomena of the vegetable world. Whilst the flower is expanded, and for 

 some little time subsequently, the flower-stalk remains erect ; but after the seed 

 vessel has increased considerably in size, the peduncle begins to coil itself in a spiral 

 direction, and the coil is gradually depressed until the seed vessel is brought into 

 contact with the soil, which occurs about the time that the seed is ripened ; and the 

 fruit thus becomes buried beneath the shade of the leaves of the parent bulb. 



The only method of increasing these plants is by seed, which readily vegetates, 

 if sown as soon as ripe, in pots of light soil placed upon a window, or in a cucumber 

 frame. The young plants will generally bloom the second season after planting, 

 and increase annually in size for many years. 



The number of species of Cyclamen is not very considerable. We may, therefore, 

 venture to give a complete list without occupying too much space. 



Hederafolium. The only species found wild in Great Britain ; but it is somewhat 

 doubtful if it be really a native of this country. The leaves arc heart- shaped 



