CROWN IMPERIAL, COLCHICUM, AND CYCLAMEN. 69 



very early season. They are generally in full perfection 

 early in April 



CROWN IMPERIAL. 



This is a species of the genus Fritillaria, of which there 

 are about twenty species and varieties, chiefly natives of 

 Persia. These squamose bulbs produce tall luxuriant stems, 

 embellished with green glossy foliage, and flowers of various 

 hues ; but there are only a few of the most curious cultivated, 

 perhaps on account of their odour, which to some persons 

 is disagreeable. They are, however, very hardy, and 

 produce singular and showy flowers in April and May, 

 suited to make variety in the flower borders, in which thev 

 may be planted in August and September, from three to 

 four inches deep ; they need not be taken up every year n& 

 other bulbs, and when they are, which may be about every 

 third year, they ought not to be retained too long out of the 

 ground before they are again replanted. 



COLCHICUM. 



This curious little bulb, being planted in the month 

 of June, about two inches deep, produces its flowers in 

 October, it then dies, without leaving any external ap- 

 pearance of seeds ; they, however, lie buried in the bulb all 

 the Winter, and in Spring produce a stalk with seeds, which 

 get ripe by the first of June, just in time to plant for flowering 

 in the ensuing Autumn. How wonderful are the provisions 

 of nature ! 



CYCLAMEN. 



There are several species of the Persian Cyclamen which 

 are worthy of cultivation in pots ; the vareties, Coum and 



