74 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



high, with a terminating flower variously colored. Unles? 

 good varieties are obtained, and the roots sound and plump, it 

 is best not to attempt their cultivation. The varieties are 

 endless, of every color and combination of color that Flora 

 paints with. 



A fine double Ranunculus should have a well-formed blossom, 

 at least two inches in diameter, hemispherical in shape, the 

 petals imbricated in regular shape, the largest outside, and 

 gradually diminishing in size as they approach the centre of 

 the flower, which should be well filled with them. The petals 

 should be broad, with entire, well-rounded edges ; their color 

 should be dark, clear, rich or brilliant, either consisting of one 

 color throughout, or be otherwise variously diversified, on an 

 ash, white, sulphur, or fire-colored ground, or regularly striped, 

 spotted, or mottled in an elegant manner. 



There is another species of Ranunculus, called Great Tur- 

 ban, or Great Turkey Ranunculus, producing large*, double, 

 and very brilliarxt flowers. The roots are similar to the other 

 species, and the mode of cultivation the same. The varieties 

 are not so numerous ; the colors are crimson, yellow and 

 brown, yellow, white speckled, dark brown, &c. 



TUBEROSA. 

 Polianthus Tuber osa. 



" The Tuberose, with her silver light, 



That in the gardens of Malay 

 Is called the mistress of the night ; 

 So like a bride, scented and bright, 

 She comes out when the sun 's away." 



The Tuberose is a tender tuberous-rooted plant, with linear 

 leaves of whitish green, and stems four or five feet high, ter- 

 minating in a sparse spike of white flowers, of very powerful 

 fragrance, which display themselves in August. It is properly 

 a green-house plant, but will grow and flower in warm situa- 



