FLOIIA DOMESTICA. 



to bear a name inscribed on its blossoms. Virgil has been 

 supposed to allude to the Hyacinth and some of the poe- 

 tical fictions connected with it. 



The Dwarf Gentian, or Gentianella, has a most beau- 

 tiful blue flower, which blows in April and May : it is a 

 native of the Alps, requires the same treatment as the 

 others, and may be increased by parting the roots once 

 in three or four years. The Fringed-flowered species has 

 also large blue flowers, appearing in August and Sep- 

 tember. It is a native of many parts of Europe, and of 

 Canada, and may be treated in every respect like the last. 



The Small v Alpine and the aquatic kinds have also 

 blossoms of a vivid blue, flowering in May and June. 

 Linnseus speaks of the first as adorning the Pyrenees with 

 its splendid blossoms ; the latter is a native of China and 

 Japan. These two are annual, and, growing naturally in 

 wet spongy places, should be sown in a boggy earth, and 

 placed in the shade. When the plants come up, the sur- 

 face of the earth should be covered with moss, which should 

 be kept always moist, or rather wet. Of most of the 

 species, there is a variety with white flowers. 



The Large Yellow Gentian is a very useful plant, being 

 not only a valuable medicine, but also an excellent sub- 

 stitute for hops in brewing : and before hops had esta- 

 blished their reputation, this Gentian was commonly used 

 for that purpose. The roots of this and of the Purple 

 Gentian strike two feet in depth. 



All the kinds here mentioned will bear the open air. 



Dr. Clarke found the Field Gentian, which is also a na- 

 tive of Britain, growing abundantly in Norway. Walking 

 in the neigbourhood of Tronyem, on the 3d of October, he 

 found the heat almost oppressive. Several plants were still 

 in flower. " We collected," says he, " many specimens of 

 the Field Gentian, that beautiful ornament of the Alpine 

 pastures ; its blossoms clustering among the short grass, 



