APRIL. , 57 



and variety of colours, enlivens the dreary 

 deserts of Africa. Their common name was 

 given on account of their fruit, which is shaped 

 like a fig, and Avhich is eaten by the Hotten- 

 tots ; while the marigold is a good type of the 

 form of most of their blossoms. From the flowers 

 opening chiefly at mid-day, and never expand- 

 ing but to the sunshine, their botanic name is 

 derived from the Greek words mid-day flower. 



The most common and hardy of all this 

 large genus of flowers, is the great yellow- 

 flowered kind, (MesemhryantJiemnm pomeridi- 

 aniim,) with its showy golden starry blossoms, 

 opening in June. One of the hardy kinds is 

 now in bloom. This is the long-horned fig 

 marigold, (^Mesemhryanthemum cornicnlatum,) 

 with flowers of pale yellow. All these plants 

 require to be kept very dry, their succulent 

 leaves deriving and retaining from our humid 

 atmosphere, more than enough moisture to 

 nourish them. Some of their leaves are most 

 singular and even grotesque in form. They 

 are described on the deserts of Africa as having 

 the appearance of masses of spotted stones or 

 shells. The colours of the flowers are not ex- 

 ceeded in brilliance by any tints of the vege- 

 table kingdoni; they are yellow, pink, scarlet, 

 violet, amethyst, purple, and indeed of every 

 tint of the rainbow. 



Two kinds of fig-marigold, though requiring 

 shelter during the greater part of the year, 

 arc very popular plants, and often deck the 

 cottage window, beside the fuchsias and 



