GARDEN AURICULA. 123 



either wholly or partially damaged. In either 

 case it will immediately be succeeded by the next 

 in order. If the flower only of the first has sus- 

 tained injury, it may come forth; but it will be 

 defective in colour, though its successor will be 

 perfect both in form and colour. 



That the auricula is partial to dry air and 

 situations, is perfectly obvious from its history — 

 from experience in its cultivation — and particu- 

 larly from that curious peculiarity of constitution 

 by which it covers itself with dust. Whether 

 this be an efflorescence of the exterior cuticle, or 

 a concreted exudation of its juices, is, perhaps, 

 not yet ascertained ; but it is quite rational to 

 suppose, that it serves as a defence against rain. 

 Water " conglobing on the dust," is a circum- 

 stance noticed by every body, and often alluded 

 to by poets; and no doubt this elegant formation 

 is a necessary provision of Nature for the preser- 

 vation of the plant. At any rate, it furnishes an 

 excellent practical lesson to the cultivator ; as it 

 is one of those silent yet significant hints which 

 should always be regarded by the practitioner as 



