PLANTS. 231 



lyx tubular and serrated. (Class 10, L.) The species 

 most noted is 



The Garden Pink (Dianthus caryophyllus), also 

 termed Clove Pink or Carnation. Calyx covered with 

 short scales ; five petals ; long claws, unequally notched ; 

 originally a native of Italy, but now cultivated every- 

 where, and valued by florists for its fragrance and beau- 

 ty. The leaves are pale green ; the color of the flower 

 was originally red, but, by careful culture, is now found 

 of every variety of hue. The odor of this beautiful child 

 of Flora is delightful, and florists engage in the cultiva- 

 tion of the Pink with an ardor amounting to passion. 

 The most conspicuous specimens of the whole race, of 

 which the Carnation is supposed the parent, are the 

 Dianthus Barbatus or Sweet William, the Armaria 

 or Wild Pink, Plumarius Pheasant's Eye, and Di- 

 anthus Superbus, etc. 2. 



The Saponaria (Saponaria officinalis), vulgarly known 

 as Bouncing Bet or Soapwort, has lanceolate leaves in- 

 clining to elliptical ; flowers growing in tufts, handsome 

 and flesh-colored, with ten stamens and two styles. 

 Grows in fields, by roadsides, or in gardens ; stem 

 from one to two feet high ; the saponaceous juice found 

 in the root can be used as soap. It has a bitter taste, 

 and is often employed as medicine. 2 . 



The Cuckoo Flower Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos 

 cuculi) ; stem rough and upright ; leaves lanceolate and 

 smooth ; calyx wedge-shaped and ten-ribbed ; petals 

 divided into segments formed like a hand; color red, 

 sometimes very pale, but seldom white. Very common 

 in meadows or gardens. 



The Corn Cockle (Lychnis githago), cultivated Rose 

 Campion, is rough, with small, woolly leaves, reddish- 



