137 



VENIDITJM CA.LENDULACEU1I. 



narrower, and have their petioles more winged; those higher up are sessile, 

 becoming more pointed as we approach the flower. 



The blossoms, as will be seen by our figure, are produced singly on terminal 

 peduncles, of which each plant yields a considerable number-as those winch 

 spring directly from the root fade; others are developed from the axils of the 



Ste The ea drcumference of the flower-head is composed of about fifteen to 

 twenty strap-shaped florets, arranged in a single series and of a fine li ht 

 orange colour; they bear no stamens, but only a short style terminated by a 

 slgma, divided' into Lo broad blacklobes; the florets of the disk or centra portion 

 of the flower, are tubular, and contain both stamens and style; befo e the 

 tubes open, the disk is green, but as they expand, it assumes . .blacker 

 purple tint, which is due to the black tips of the segments of the florets. The 

 Character of the scales of the involucre has already been explained, as well 

 as the absence of the pappus, so peculiar to most Composite V^jJ* 

 receptacle, on which the florets are seated, is slight y pitted, butohe r « 

 q nife smooth, or naked, as it is termed in botanical parlance men fully 

 Landed, the flowers are about an inch-and-half in diameter; they will op n 

 in diffused light, but usually close about two o'clock, a circumstance which 

 their showv character leads us to regret. 



iiZgh placed in the Linmean division, necessaria, of the Class Scenes, 

 the florets of the disk contain both stamens and style as already stated, 

 but singular enough, it is only the florets of the ray which produce seeds, 

 a^aXlf we nrayV^ge ft- 'he experience of a single season. The same thing 

 occurs however, in the common Marygold, though, m that plant the sty e 

 ofThe celtral florets is of a different form to that of the outer ligulate 



fl °The Veniiium calendulaceun requires only the treatment of most other half- 

 hardy annuals from the same locality. It might, perhaps, succeed if sown 

 in a warm border at the end of April; but the plants win be much finer, 

 and bW earlier, if raised on a good hot-bed, with the Zinnias, Asters 

 etc The young plants should be transferred to the open ground early hi 

 May for Unless Iwed plenty of room, they are apt to be forced into 

 flow r while small. A rich, light sandy soil appears to suit it exceedingly 

 tell and, with regard to situation, a warm sunny border is indispensable, 

 Is it is quite dwari, it should be planted next to the edge of t^ 



There are several other species, chiefly of perennial dura ion all of them, as 

 well as the present plant, being natives of the Cape of Good Hope. 



The name of the genus is unexplained. 



