330 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



PINK. 



DIANTHUS. 



CARYOPHYLLE^E. DECANDRIA DIGYNIA. 



The name Dianthus is of Greek origin, and signifies the flower of 

 Jove: which noble name is, according to some, bestowed upon the 

 flower for its beauty ; others say from its fragrance. That distinction 

 is surely just, which excites a doubt only for which of its good quali- 

 ties it is conferred. French, ceillet. Italian, garafano: gherosano; 

 garofolo. 



THE Bearded Pink, or Sweet- William French, ceillet 

 depoete* is a native of Germany. Gerarde mentions it as 

 being, in his time, highly esteemed " to deck up gardens, 

 the bosoms of the beautiful, garlands, and crowns for plea- 

 sure." The narrow-leaved kinds are called Sweet- Johns : 

 the broad-leaved, unspotted kinds are, by some named 

 Tolmeiners and London-tufts ; and the small speckled 

 kind, London-pride. 



There are many varieties of the Sweet- William, single 

 and double-flowered, varying in colour from a pale blush- 

 colour to a deep crimson : some are entirely white. They 

 blow in June : they must be sparingly watered, but never 

 left dry. 



Of the Clove-pink in Italian, garofano ortense the 

 varieties are endless : the larger kinds are called Carna- 

 tions in French, ceillet desjleuristes : the smaller, Clove- 

 gilliflowers. Some suppose this latter name to have been 

 corrupted from July-flower, July being its flowering time. 

 Drayton so names it : 



" The curious choice clove July-flower, 

 Whose kinds hight the carnation, 



* This is also called, in France, (Eillet de la Regence (Regency 

 pink) ; in Italy, Garofanini (little cloves), Violine a mazzetti (little 

 cluster pinks.) The Italian word viola is used for the violet, the 

 stock, or the pink. 



