CHAP. I. iJANUNCULA^CE.i:. ^TRA GENE. 247 



the genus is retained in Don's Miller, and is current among British and 

 German cultivators, we have thought it best to preserve it. On the same 

 principle (that of simplification), we prefer retaining the genera Mahoma, 

 5'6rbus, J/alus, A^b'ies, Z/arix, Cedrus, and others; though, in a strictly 

 scientific point of view, they may not be valid. 



Description. The atragenes differ from the clematises in producing leaves and 

 one flower from the bud contemporaneously ; whereas in most clematises the 

 flowers are produced upon wood developed previously to their appearance, 

 and during the same season. Hence the winter buds of ^tragene are larger 

 than those of Clematis, from their including the flower as well as the leaves of 

 the year succeeding. In atragenes the leaves are less divided than in many of 

 the species of Clematis, and they are always divided ternately. All the species 

 of ^tragene described in this work have petioles which not only clasp objects 

 like those of Clematis, but maintain the prehension effected for more than 

 the season, like the vine. All the species are extremely interesting from the 

 beauty of their blossoms. 



Geography, History, c^c. The hardy species are found in the south of Europe, 

 one in Siberia, and one in North America. They are not numerous ; and it ap- 

 pears to us doubtful, whether, in realit}', more than two hardy species have been 

 yet discovered. This genus is comparatively of recent introduction into 

 British gardens ; but, as it is ornamental, plants of it may be procured in most 

 nurseries. The culture is the same as in Clematis, and generally by layers. 



i. 1. ^tra'gene alpi'na L. The Alpine Atragene. 



Identification. Lin. Sp., 764. : Willd. Baum., 45. : Dumont, p. 426. ; Hayne Den., p. 116. ; Don's 

 Mill., 1. p. 10. . . 1- , 



Syiionymes. Clematis CEerulea Bauh. ; Atriigene austrlaca Scop, and Bat. Mag. ; AUkgene clema- 

 tldes Crantz; Clematis alplna ilUl. Diet., No. 9.; C. a\p\na Dec. Prod., 1. p. 10. j Atragfene de» 

 Alpes, Fr. ; Alpen Atragene, Ger. 



Engravings. Bot. Rep., t. 180. ; Bot. Mag., t. 530. ; and ourj%. 25. 



Spec. Char. Peduncles l-flowered, longer than the leaves. Leaves biternate ; 



leaflets ovate-lanceolate, acuminated, serrate. Petals somewhat spathulate, 



blunt. {Don's Mill., I. ^. \0.) Austria. Flowers blue. May to July. 1792. 



Height 8 ft. 

 Varieties. De CandoUe mentions its varying with white flowers ; and A. sibirica 



Lin., described below as a species with yellowish white flowers, appears to 



us nothing more than a variety of A. alpina. 



Deserijjtion. The stems are numerous, branch- 

 ing, weak, forming knots at the joints where the 

 leaves and flowers are protruded. One flower 

 on a longish scape springs from between the 

 leaves ; the sepals are twice the length of the 

 petals, and are blue on both sides. The petals 

 are of a dirty white colour, and, in general, 1 2 

 in number. 



Geograjjhy, History, Sfc. Native of the moun- 

 tains of the south of Europe, from the height 

 of 2400 to 6000 feet, especially on a calcareous 

 soil, in Austria, Carniola, Piedmont, Dauphine, 

 the Eastern Pyrenees, Hungary, &c. It ap- 

 pears to have been first remarked by Allioni 

 and Jacquin, in Switzerland. The species is 

 very ornamental, and is to be had in most 

 nurseries. The price, in London, is I*. Gd. a plant ; at Bollwyller, ? ; and at 

 New York, ?. 



1 2. A. sibi'rica L. The Siberian Atragene. 



Identification. Sims, Bot. Mag., t, 1951. ; Don's Mill., 1. p. in. 



Synonynus. Alxagene a\\>\na. Gmel. Sib., i. p. 194., Pa/l. Flor. Ross., "i. p. 69. ; Clematis sibirica 



MUi. Diet., No. 12., and Dec. Prod., 1. p. 10. 

 Engravings. Sims, Bot. Mag., t. U>51. ; Fall. Fl. Ross., 2. p. 69. t. 76., and our.^. 26. 



