NARCISSUS. 301 



native of the South of Europe. Most of the species are 

 fragrant ; but this is the most powerful, and is often found 

 too much so to be endured in a room. 



There is a species called the Hoop-petticoat Narcissus, 

 called in France trcmpette de Meduse (Medusa's Trumpet), 

 of which the cup is two inches long, very broad at the brim ; 

 and is said to be formed like the old bell-hoop-petticoat 

 formerly worn by ladies in this country. 



The Polyanthus Narcissus called in France le narcisse 

 de Constantinople / in Languedoc pissauleich : in Italy, 

 tazzetta * grows naturally in the East, and in many parts 

 of Europe. There are more varieties of this than of any 

 other species. That which is generally called the Cyprus 

 Narcissus, with very double flowers, the outer petals white, 

 the inner, some white and some orange, is the most beautiful 

 of them all, and the most esteemed for blowing in glasses in 

 a room. Its scent is very agreeable, and less powerful than 

 that of the Jonquil. 



The White, or Poetical Narcissus, called by the French 

 janette des contois has a snow-white flower, with a yellow 

 cup in the centre, fringed on the border with a circle of 

 bright purple. It is sweet-scented, a native of many parts 

 of Europe, and flowers in May. There is a variety with 

 double flowers. 



There is a species of Narcissus which is called the Late- 

 flowering, and does not blow till autumn. The Common 

 Jonquil is altogether yellow, as is also the Sweet-scented ; 

 but the latter has the cup somewhat deeper coloured than 

 the petals. 



The preferable kinds are the Polyanthus Narcissus, the 

 Jonquil, and the Poetical Narcissus ; but any of them may 



* Tazzetta signifies a little cup ; tazzettone, and tazzettaccia, imply 

 a cup of a larger size. 



