ROCK-GARDEN PINKS 99 



But the numerous varieties, both double and single, are 

 the sweetest and most charming of hardy garden plants. 

 The flowers of the type form are white, and the plant is 

 easily raised from seed or cuttings (see p. 45). 



D. rupestris (syn., D. virgineus). The Virgin Pink. 

 This is figured in the Bot. Mag., Tab. 1740, from speci- 

 mens sent by Messrs. Loddiges of Hackney, in 1814. It 

 is a pretty species, with pink flowers borne on stems about 

 2 feet high. 



D. superbus A very desirable species. It is well 

 known and widely distributed in Germany, Switzerland, 

 France, and Denmark. It is mentioned by Clusius in 1601, 

 who found it growing in moist meadows about Vienna, 

 some with white, others with purplish flowers. All the 

 old authors agree as to its delightful perfume. Parkinson 

 writes of it as "of a moft fragrant fent, comforting the 

 fpirits and fenfes afarre off." The petals are divided very 

 finely. Seeds are produced freely. (Bot. Mag., Tab. 297.) 



D. superbus Gardner! (Gardner's). A variety of D. 

 superbus, with very large flowers of a better form. 



The species already mentioned are the best of those in 

 cultivation. It may be added that in the Index Kewensis 

 there is a list of more than three hundred species of 

 Dianthus. 



