OLEANDER. 309 



In this country its height seldom exceeds eight or ten 

 feet. The colour of the flowers, which, like the Rhodo- 

 dendrons commonly so called, come out in large magnificent 

 bunches at the ends of the branches, varies from purple to 

 a dusky white, a brilliant scarlet, or a deep rich crimson. 

 There are also double-flowered varieties. 



This is a beautiful evergreen shrub, requiring the same 

 treatment as the Myrtle ; that is, shelter from September 

 to April, a liberal watering every evening in hot weather, 

 arid a more sparing draught twice or thrice a week in the 

 winter. 



The White-flowered variety is rather more tender, and is 

 usually kept within doors till June, 



Most of the Oleanders are East Indians, and require a 

 stove in this country. Some of these are beautiful beyond 

 expression, particularly the Sweet-scented species. The 

 Common Oleander, in addition to the names already men- 

 tioned, is also called Rhodo- Daphne. The Hindoos, as 

 we are told by Sir W. Jones, bestow on this handsome 

 shrub a name somewhat less elegant, and most singularly 

 resembling one of its Italian appellations. " They call 

 it," says he, " Horse-killer, from a notion that horses, in- 

 advertently eating of it, are killed by it : most of the 

 species, especially their roots, have strong medicinal, pro- 

 bably narcotic, powers." 



Spenser mentions the Rhododaphne as adorning the tomb 

 of Virgil's gnat : 



" Fresh Rhododaphne and the Sabine flower, 

 Matching the wealth of th' ancient frankincense, 

 And pallid ivy building his own bower, 

 And box yet mindful of his old offence ; 

 Red amaranthus, luckless paramour ; 

 Ox-eye still green, and bitter patience : 



Ne wants there pale narcisse, that in a well 



Seeing his beauty, in love with it fell." 



