SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 19» 



worthy lady, and your selfe, as also to my noble friend S"" 

 Richard Browne. I convey this letter and the box to you by 

 my son Tom Hanmer, who is constantly at his chamber in 

 ffig-tree Court in the Inner Temple, and can send your 

 commands to mee at any tyme. You will find in the box 

 some very good bear's ears seed, which you know better to 

 sow and order than I can direct." 



Other flowers mentioned as rarities by Gerard and Parkinson 

 had become very generally known. Among the lilies this is 

 noticeable: — "The red lily* is a flower so vulgar, every country 

 woman can form an idea of it in a stranger's head, by their 

 rustick descriptions. . . . Next comes martagans, a rambling 

 flower onely fit for flower pots or chimneys, and to be planted 

 in by borders or under hedges." t Carnations were still popular 

 flowers: — "Caryophyllus hortcnsis called July flowers, and are 

 indeed summer glory as Tulips the pride of the spring. . . . the 

 nobler sorts which are called Dutch July flowers or more 

 vulgarly carnations raised from seeds in the Netherlands and 

 other parts adjoining to the sea, and thence conveyed to us." J 



The sensitive plant, Planta Mimosa, the sensible or humble 

 " plant," was a new acquisition in Charles the First's time. 

 The seeds were " yearl}- brought out of America." § This 

 would be one of the tender annuals, for which the hot bed 

 would be prepared. Another plant grown in this way was 

 Tobacco, " Sow on a hot bed as early as you can after 

 Christmas," writes Sharrock, " then plant under South Wafl or 

 otherwise with hedges or fences of Reed to be defended from 

 sharp weather." j| Jacoboea marina {= Sprekelia formosissima) 

 came from N. America, in 1658. Jasmine (= odoratissimum) 

 from Madeira about the same time, and many other plants 

 were introduced. 



* = Lilium canadense rubrum, or L. croceum or L. pompomium. 



"j" Gilbert, Florist's Vade Mecinn. 



% Ibid. 



§ Rea. 



II The first description of Tobacco in English appeared in 1580 in a work 

 entitled Joyfull News from the Newfound World, translated from the 

 Spanish of Monardus by J. Frampton. There is an account " of the Tobacco 

 and of his great vertues " and a woodcut of the plant. 



