Thus it is with the classification of the animal, 

 the vegetable, and the mineral, kingdoms. Inge- 

 nious distinctions have been laid down for the dis- 

 crimination of one family from another, but in spite 

 of our science in defining divisions, anomalous sub- 

 jects continually step in and show that our system 

 is unfounded in nature. Indeed, how can we hope 

 to class, with precision, the component parts of these 

 several kingdoms, when human science is inadequate 

 to point out a clear line of distinction between the 

 three kingdoms themselves. 



Nevertheless, the present state of the science is 

 truly inestimable to us. Men the most learned and 

 industrious have contributed to its present perfec- 

 tion, and talents the most eminent have been devoted 

 to its extension. Much has been attained, and still 

 much we may hope to discover, notwithstanding 

 the whole depth of the subject is alone fathomable 

 by him who framed its laws. 



This magnificent plant has frequently been im- 

 ported from Constantinople, and received its trivial 

 appellation, Susiana, from a western district of 

 Persia, which was known to the ancients by that 

 name. Susa, now called Caster, was the capital 

 of that district, and the term, in the language of 

 the country, signifies Lilies. Chalcedon a city of 

 Asia opposite Constantinople. 



It requires to be planted in a warm, dry, loamy, 

 or gravelly soil, or it will rarely be found to blos- 

 som freely. To preserve the plant in health, it 

 seems desirable to transplant it once in four or five 

 years, as parts of the old roots undergo decay, and 

 injure the young ones. 



Hort. Kew. 2, v. 1, 117. 



