90 FLOWERS AND FRUITS. 



twelve gods ; and the only cause he could have for adopting so 

 whimsical a name, was from the observation that each of these 

 plants generally produced twelve flowers. This elegant plant flowers 

 about the end of April or the beginning of May; the stalk after 

 rising up to about eight inches in height, throws out an umbel of 

 flowers, gracefully pendant as rockets appear when thrown out of 

 an elevated piece of fire-work. The petals are of a rosy lilac, in- 

 clining to the color of the peach or almond blossom ; and they are 

 re flexed or turned back over the calyx, giving the appearance of a 

 half expanded parasol, which resemblance is considerably height- 

 ened by the long tapering shape of the parts of fructification, and 

 the golden color of the anthers. It should be placed in a shady 

 situation, where the earth is of a loose, moist nature ; but its beauti- 

 ful delicacy and graceful formation make it deserving of a situation 

 in those plants that are potted for the house. It is easily propaga- 

 gated by offsets, which should be taken from the old plants in the 

 month of August, that they may be fixed well to the earth before 

 the frost comes on. It is increased more rapidly from seed, which 

 the plant generally produces in plenty. These should be sown after 

 they are ripe, either in pots or a shady border. If these plants are 

 much exposed to the sun while young, they are almost sure to perish, 

 so impatient are they of heat. Many persons have lost their stock 

 by placing them in a dry soil, in a sunny part of the garden, without 

 reflecting their natural situations. In floral language it emblemises 

 You ARE MY DIVINITY. 



Meadia's soft chains five suppliant leaves confess, 

 And hand in hand the laughing belle address, 

 Alike ?o all she bows with wanton air, 

 Rolls her dark eye and waves her golden hair. 



DARWW. 



