150 DECANDRTA. 



of them are favorite flowers in nearly all parts of the world 

 The creative hand has indeed bestowed on this genus, in a 

 remarkable degree, those qualities which make its species 

 generally admired by man. The beauty of form and color, 

 and the perfect gratefulness of its fragrance, together with 

 the ease with which it is cultivated, will always give the Car- 

 nation a place among the most favored productions of the 

 vegetable kingdom. All the species of this genus are ever- 

 green herbaceous plants. They vary in height from that of 

 the small flowered Pink, which is only six inches high, to that 

 of the Tree-Carnation, which is three feet and upwards. 

 One or more of the species are natives of nearly every coun- 

 try in Europe, and one is from China, one from Africa, and 

 one from North America. Of the Carnation, which is con- 

 sidered the finest species, there were 400 named varieties 

 which were cultivated more than a century ago, and this num- 

 ber is said not to have diminished since that time. The va- 

 riegated colors, whatever they may be, are most esteemed, 

 when they are perfectly distinct, that is, not blended or 

 shaded with each other. Their disposition is also a matter of 

 consequence among amateurs and florists. They should be 

 in regular stripes, broadest at the edge of the lamina, or 

 widest part of the petal, and gradually becoming narrower, as 

 they approach the claw, or base of the petal, and there ter- 

 minating in a fine point. Each petal should also have a due 

 proportion of white, that is, one half, or nearly so, and this 

 should be perfectly clear and free from spots. By such marks 

 do florists judge of the beauty and value of these flowers. 



ORDER III. TRIGYNIA. Stamens 10. Styles 3. 



To this order belong the genera Arenaria, (Sandwort,) 

 Stellaria, (Chickweed,) Silene, (Catchfly,) and Cucubalus, 

 (Campion,) none of them plants of any considerable beauty 

 or value. The Chickweed is a most vexatious little creep- 

 ing plant, especially in rich gardens. It grows under the 

 snow, and flowers most of the year, and when established, T 

 believe no human means can eradicate it. 



ORDER IV. PENTAGYNIA. Stamens 10. Styles 5. 

 GENUS Oxalis. Sorrel. This is a tribe of small, mostly 



What is said of the qualities and beauties of the genus Dianthus ? 



