LYCH'NIS CHALCEDON'ICA. 



DOUBLE SCARLET LYCHNIS. 

 Class. Order. 



DECANDRIA. PENTAGYNIA. 



Natural Order. 



CARYOPHYLLE.E. 



No. 87. 



The origin of the name of this genus, like that of 

 our last, is wrapped in uncertainty. 



The Greeks used a similar name, which word also 

 signifies a lamp. Hence conjectures arose, and 

 ingenuity has been exerted, to trace the connexion. 

 The term was formerly used for more plants than it 

 now is ; some of which may have admitted compa- 

 risons not applicable to the present Lychnis tribe. 

 It is said that the down of the plant may have been 

 used to make wicks ; or that the colour of the flower 

 was brilliant, as flame; also that the transparent 

 membranous calyx resembled a lamp or lantern. 

 Chalcedonica, from Chalcedon ; whence seeds have 

 been brought. 



This splendid herbaceous plant, single or double, 

 is highly ornamental, and should not be dispensed 

 with. Parkinson, 200 years ago, notes it as a glo- 

 rious flower, being then as rare as it is beautiful. 



The single variety may be raised from seeds. The 

 double or single may be increased by dividing the 

 roots, or by cuttings of the stems taken in June. 

 It should be planted in a strong fresh loam, and 



have pure air. 



Hort. Kew. 2, v. 3, 132. 



