166 breck's new book of flowers. 



able length on slender filaments, forming beautiful airy- 

 groups. 



Cleome ^randiflora is one of the most showy of the 

 genus. It is easily raised from seed, when planted in the 

 open ground, in April or May, and blooms abundantly 

 from July to September ; grows from three to four feet 

 high. Its spikes, continually increasing in length, are al- 

 ways surmounted with a crest of beautiful buds and flow- 

 ers, which are of a pale pink-purple. It is beautiful in 

 the garden, but withers very quickly when cut. 



C. pentaphylla. — This is also a handsome annual, of 

 the same habit of the last ; about two or three feet high ; 

 the flowers pure white ; the odor of tlie plant is most of- 

 fensive. 



C. spinosa is a spiny plant, which grows about four feet 

 high, and bears a spike of beautiful white (sometimes 

 pinkish) flowers. All the species flourish in any common 

 garden soil. 



However beautiful and curious these plants may be, and 

 desirable for show, they are repulsive to the smell and un- 

 pleasant to the touch, and therefore, will not be favorites. 



COB^A.— Mexican Cob^a. 



[In honor of Bernandez Cobo, a Spanish Jesuit, who wrote upon the subject 

 of natural history in llie middle of the 17th century.] 



Cobaea SCaildcnSt — This is the most rapid growing green- 

 house plant known, having been found to grow two hun- 

 dred feet in one summer, in a conservatory. It is a perennial, 

 but will not stand the winter, and, unless cultivated in a 

 green-house, is classed with tender annuals. It flourishes 

 well in the o])en ground, if it is first started in a hot-bed, 

 in pots, and turned out in June. I have found it to con- 

 tinue blooming after a number of moderate frosts. The 



