NARCISSUS. ORNITIIOGALUM, OR STAR OF BETHLEHEM. 85 



NARCISSUS. 



The species and varieties of this plant are numerous. The 

 Incomparable is perfectly hardy, and jjroduces its flowers in 

 April, which are called by some pasche, or pans flowers, by 

 others, butter and eggs ; jierha2)S because their bright yellow 

 petals are surrounded with large white ones. Some persons 

 dislike the smell of these, and it is said that the odour has a 

 pernicious effect upon the nerves ; but the white fragrant 

 double, as well as the Roman, and Polyanthus Narcissus, are 

 free from this objection, being of a very grateful and agree- 

 able smell. Some of these are justly held in gi^eat esteem 

 for their earliness, as well as for their varied colours. The 

 Grand Monarque cle France, the Belle Legoise, and some 

 others, have white flowers with yellow cups. The Glorieux 

 has a yellow ground, with orange coloured cups ; beside 

 these are some white and citron coloured, as the Luna, and 

 others entirely white, as the Rein Blanche and JMorgenster. 

 All these varieties are very suitable either for the parlour or 

 green-house, and may be planted in pots, from October to 

 December, from two to three inches deep. The double Ro- 

 man Narcissus are very sweet-scented ; if these be planted in 

 pots, or put into bulb glasses in the month of October, they 

 will flower in January and February. 



Polyanthus Narcissus are more delicate than Hyacinths 

 or Tulips ; when they are planted in the open border, they 

 should be covered about four inches with earth, and before 

 the setting in of winter, it is advisable to cover the beds with 

 straw, leaves, or litter, to the depth of six or seven inches, 

 and to uncover them about the middle of March. 



ORNITHOGALUM, OR STAR OF BETHLEHEM. 



There are about fifty varieties of these bulbs, natives of 

 the Cape of Good Hope, some of which are from three to 

 five inches in diameter, and shaped similar to a pear ; others 



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