THE AURICULA; 121 



It is called an alpine or mountainous plant, be- 

 cause it is not only a native of the mountains, but 

 because it grows and thrives best in airy and elevated 

 situations. In low places, surrounded with damps 

 and fogs, it is difficult to keep it in any tolerable 

 health long together, or to get from it any very fine 

 bloom; whoever, therefore, attempts to grow Auri- 

 culas, living in such a situation, should keep them 

 during the winter in frames, raised at least two or 

 three feet above the level of the ground, and allow 

 them all the air possible, but a very scanty supply 

 of water during the three winter months. I am 

 induced to give this caution, because I know the 

 flower is so universally admired, that it is cultivated 

 in all places ; and though art and culture may effect 

 a great deal, they cannot altogether change its nature 

 and habits. 



The most prevailing colours of Auriculas are 

 brown and purple, of different shades, red, crimson, 

 rosy, violet, blue, yellow, &c. with white and yellow 

 eyes. They are divided into two classes plain, or 

 self-coloured, and painted, or variegated; this last 



G 



