276 FLORA DOMESTIC A. 



The purple hyacinth, and fresh costmary, 

 And saffron sought for in Cilician soil, 

 And laurel, th' ornament of Phoebus' toil." 



MAURANDIA SEMPERFLORENS. 



SCROPHULARIEJE. DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. 



THIS shrub is a native of Mexico, and requires winter 

 shelter. It should be housed at Michaelmas, or, if the 

 season be cold, somewhat earlier ; and should remain within 

 till the end of May, or the beginning of June. In April 

 and in October the earth should be removed as deep as can 

 be done without disturbing the roots, and fresh earth sub- 

 stituted. If it requires new potting, it must be carefully 

 removed with the ball of earth about the roots: all the 

 matted, decayed, or mouldy roots on the outside should be 

 pared away ; and, when fresh planted, it should be gently 

 watered, and placed in the shade. April is the best time 

 for transplanting this shrub, that it may have time to fix its 

 roots before the time of its removal into the open air. In 

 winter it will not require water oftener than once in five 

 days or a week ; and then, unless in very mild weather, at 

 the roots only. In dry summer weather it may be 'watered 

 every evening, or second evening, according to its situation 

 and the heat of the sun. 



MESEMBRYANTHEMUM. 



FICOIDE^E. ICOSANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. 



The name of this genus is derived from three Greek words, and sig- 

 nifies a flower with the embryo in the middle : it was originally named 

 Mesembrianthemum, or Noon-flower, because most of the species close 

 in the absence of the sun, and disclose themselves in broad sunshine. 

 The familiar name is Fig-marygold. French, ficoide ; fleur de midi 

 [noon-flower.] Italian, ficoide. 



THIS genus is very large : it will "be necessary only to 

 select a few of the more desirable or general kinds. 



