306 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



Virgil, in one passage in the fifth pastoral, speaks of the 

 Narcissus as purple ; and Mr. Davidson, in a note on that 

 passage, observes that Dioscorides also speaks of a species 

 of Narcissus which is purple : 



" Pro molli viola, pro purpureo narcisso." 



" In lieu of the soft violet, in lieu of the empurpled narcissus."- 

 DAVIESON'S TRANSLATION. 



Several of them have a ring of purple : 



" Bring rich carnations., flower tie luces, lilies, 

 The checqued and purple-ringed daffodillies." 



BEN JONSON. 



The Italian poet, Francesco Del Teglia, has some elegant 

 lines on the Jonquil, but they are rather too long for in- 

 sertion. 



NASTURTIUM. 



TROP^lOLUM. 



TROPjEOLIEJE. OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



Called also Indian-cress. French, la capucine. Italian, fior cap- 

 pucino ; caprivola ; cardamindo. The botanical name of this plant is 

 the diminutive of tropceum, a trophy. 



THE Nasturtium is a Peruvian plant^ yet, in warm 

 sheltered situations, will grow and flower in the open air, 

 which is extraordinary in a native of so warm a country. 

 They will, however, flower earlier and better when raised in 

 a hot- bed. Where this aid cannot be allowed them, the seed 

 may be sown in autumn, about two inches apart, and should 

 be kept in the house till spring. Early in spring they may be 

 gradually inured to the open air. They are esteemed 

 annual plants, but may, with care, be preserved through 

 the winter : they only require protection from frost. There 

 are the Great and the Small Nasturtium, and a double- 



