Select Biennial and Perennial Plants. 169 



double blue, and double white, are the most desirable. They are 

 so fragrant, that a single blossom will perfume a very large room. 

 They are perennial, and may be propagated by parting the roots 

 in the spring or autumn ; they love a bank facing the east, and 

 shade after 10 o'clock A. M. 



This flower has long been a favorite with the people of England ; 

 their poets have sung its praises. If we could touch the lyre, we 

 would follow their example, but must be content to give one or two 

 quotations.' In describing a little woodland work of violets, Mr. 

 Keats, has the following passage : 



'' where to pry aloof, 



Atween the pillars of the sylvan roof, 



Would be to find where violet beds were nestling, — 



And where the bee with cowslip-bells was wrestling." 



" Gay villagers, upon a morn of May, 

 When they have tired their gentle limbs with play, 

 And formed a snowy circle on the grass. 

 And placed in midst of all that lovely lass 

 Who is their queen ; — with her fine head 

 Crowned with flowers, purple, white, and red; 

 For there the lily and the musk-rose, sighing, 

 Are emblems true of hapless lovers dying : 

 Between her breasts, that never yet felt trouble, 

 A bunch of violets, full-blown, and double, 

 Serenely sleep." 



And, again, how beautiful is the following passage in the Win- 

 ter's Tale : 



-" violets, dim. 



But sweeter than the lids of Juno's eyes, 

 Or Cytherea's breath." 



The tri-colored or pansey violet, has been the subject of a 

 former communication ; the reader is referred to page 17 of the 

 first volume of this work for further particulars. 



Delphinium chinense flore pleno; Double flowering Chinese 

 Larkspur. — 'This plant must be placed at the head of all the 

 herbaceous perennial flowers. It makes a most magnificent appear- 

 ance, in the garden, from the middle of June, until it is cut down 

 by the frost ; a strong root will throw up from six to ten stalks, and, 

 if grown in good strong loamy soil, will reach the height of from four 

 to six feet ; the flowers are of a fine azure blue color, and appear 

 as if they were bronzed. It has no superior, and but few equals ; 

 it is a prince, full of beauty, grandeur, and magnificence. It may 

 be propagated by parting the roots in the spring or autumn. 



Yours, 



Roxbury, April 13, 1836. S. Walker. 



(To be continued.) 

 VOL. II. NO. V. 22 



