Remarks on tJie Pink Family. 271 



(/?. barbaius) and Dianthus Chinensis. The leaves are broad, like the Sweet 

 William ; the flowers are produced in clustered heads, of a rich dark pur- 

 ple-crimson, and very double. It is an imperfect perennial, like the parents, 

 and comes pretty true from seed. The finer sorts may be perpetuated 

 from cuttings or layers. 



Japan Pink {Dianthus Chinensis Heddtnuigi giganiea, and D. Chinensis 

 Hcddcwigi hiciniatiis) with numerous hybrids. — One with rose-leaved petals, 

 the other variety with deeply jagged or deeply laciniated petals. These, 

 like the China and Imperial Pinks, are biennials, but flower finely the first 

 season. They will also stand the winter, with a protection of leaves, and 

 flower strongly the second year. The only drawback upon these gorgeous 

 flowers is their lack of fragrance. The flowers are large, sometimes three 

 inches in diameter, borne upon stems from a foot to a foot and a half high. 

 The foliage is som.ewhat glaucous, and lanceolate. The colors are very 

 brilliant, and consist of pure white, white striped, e%^ery shade of rose, lilac, 

 carmine, crimson, purple, violet, and variously spotted, variegated, and 

 mottled. The double flowers are very dense and full. 



This splendid Dianthus was introduced into St. Petersburg, Russia, from 

 Japan by Mr. Heddewig in 1858. It has now become quite common, and 

 may be considered as one of the most important additions to the flower- 

 garden which has been made for many years. 



The Double Diadem Pink {Dianthus Chinensis Hedde^uigi gigantea 

 diadematus fl. pL). — This novelty may be justly called a striking one (even 

 setting aside the long name). The Prussian florist who produced it from 

 seed gives the following description of it in his catalogue : " It differs from 

 Dianthus Heddeioigi by its more luxuriant, compact, and dwarf growth ; by 

 its lea\'es ; but, above all, by its flowers, which have a diameter of two or three 

 inches. They are regular in form, verj' double, and pass into all tints, from 

 lilac, crimson, and purple, to the deepest black-purple ; having a velvet-like 

 radiant splendor impossible to be produced by the brush of the artist. 

 Each petal is a marvel of beauty in its form and coloring. The principal 

 and immutable character of them are two mirrors, with more or less dis- 

 tinct outlines, with bright border or inverse. These mirrors are surrounded 

 by a colored zone ; but the toothed border of the petals is either pure 

 white or slightly colored. The colors are so fine, that it is difficult to de- 



