SYUINCiA. 



S Y 11 1 N G A. 



PHJLADELPHUS. 



MYKTE^E. ICOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



From Ptolemy Philadelphia, King of Egypt. It is also called 

 mock-orange, and pipe-tree. French, le seringat; in Languedoc, 

 siringea. Italian, siringa. 



THE Syringa is a most delicious shrub : the foliage is 

 luxuriant, the blossoms beautiful, and abundant, white as 

 the purest lily, and of the most fragrant scent ; in a room, 

 indeed, this perfume is too powerful, but in the air, it is 

 remarkably agreeable. There is a variety which has no 

 scent; and also a dwarf variety, which does not usually 

 exceed three feet in height : the flowers are sweet, and 

 double ; but it flowers rarely, and is on that account less 

 esteemed than otherwise it would be. 



There is a species called the Myrtle-leaved Syringa, a 

 native of New Zealand ; the fresh flowering shoots of which 

 were used as tea by Captain Cook's sailors, who found the 

 infusion sweetly aromatic at first ; in a short time, however, 

 it became very bitter. It was considered serviceable in the 

 sea-scurvy. 



The Sweet Syringa, specifically so called, is also a native 

 of New Zealand. It flowers in July and August ; the 

 Myrtle-leaved kind in June and July; and the Mock-orange 

 in May and June. 



The Mock-orange is extremely hardy, and will thrive in 

 almost any soil or situation. It is a native of the South of 

 Europe : the dwarf variety, of Carolina. 



This species may be increased by cuttings, planted early 

 in October. They must always be kept tolerably moist. 

 The other kinds may be increased in the same way, but 

 must be sheltered in the winter season. 



