March.] perennials. 43 



caryophyllus, from which have originated the Picotee and 

 the Carnation ; D. plumdrius, from which originated the 

 Double Pink. Several of these, although they will stand 

 the severest cold, have to be protected in frames during 

 winter, to have them in the perfection of beauty. For the 

 character of a Pink and Carnation, see May. 



Dictdmnus. Two species of this genus, D. fraxinclla and 

 D. dlbus, have been cultivated and esteemed upwards of two 

 hundred and forty years. A plant of the first of these spe- 

 cies, when gently rubbed, emits an odour like that of lemon- 

 peel ; and when bruised emits a balsamic scent, which is 

 strongest in the pedicles of the flowers. They have glands 

 of a rusty colour, that exude a viscid juice, or resin, which 

 exhales in vapour, and in a dark place may be seen to take 

 fire. Its flowers are red, those of the other white, in loose 

 terminal spikes ; the flower has five petals, clawed and 

 unequal, with glandular dots ; in bloom from May to July ; 

 delights in sandy loam. 



Dodecdtheon. This is a native genus, and commonly 

 called American cowslip. The generic term, a name of the 

 Romans, signifying twelve gods or divinities, is applied with 

 great absurdity to a plant, a native of a world the Romans 

 never saw nor had any idea of; neither resembling in any par- 

 ticular the poetical fancy of their writers. The most admired 

 species is I), media ; the flowers are in umbels, on a pedicle, 

 from six to twelve inches high ; the corolla is rotata reflexa; 

 colour light purple, bottom of petals lake and yellow ; bloom- 

 ing in May. The white variety is very much esteemed, and 

 surpasses the preceding. The ground is pure white, the 

 bottom of the petals the same as the other. There is also 

 a spotted variety found on the banks of the Missouri. They 

 delight in brown loam, a half shady situation, inclining to 

 moisture. The foliage soon decays after flowering. 



Dracocephalum, Dragon's Head, about twenty species, 

 mostly ornamental. D. virginicum is a profuse blooming 

 plant, with bluish-pink flowers, and grows about four feet 

 high. D. argunense is a superb dwarf, with large dark blue 

 flowers. 



Dielytra spectabilis, a new and very splendid Fuinwort of 

 dwarf habit, with a profusion of large delicately shaded pink 

 flowers during June and July. 



F.upatdriums. These generally are native plants, uov 



