184 



CLOVE-I'INK. 



height of one or two feet. The lower leaves are numerous, 

 linear, channelled, acute, entire, glaucous ; those of the stem are 

 shorter^ and placed in pairs at the joints. The flowers are soli- 

 tary, on the tops of the stalks, and form a kind of panicle. The 

 calyx is tubular, five-toothed at the summit, and surrounded at 

 the base with four imbricated, very short, ovate, sub-mucronate 

 scales or bracteae. The corolla consists of five flesh-coloured * 

 petals, broad, patent, crenated, and furnished with long claws. 

 The ten filaments are longer than the calyx, spreading towards 

 the summit, and support oblong, compressed anthers. The 

 germen is oval, with two subulate styles, longer than the sta- 

 mens, and terminated by revolute tapering stigmas. The cap- 

 sule is cylindrical, one-celled, opening by four teeth, and con- 

 taining many roundish, compressed seeds. Plate 14, fig. 3, (a) 

 a single petal, with its claw ; (b) the calyx opened to show the 

 pistil ; (c) the fruit. 



This fragrant plant grows on old walls and ruins -j-, as at 

 Norwich, and on the castles of Deal, Sandown, Rochester, &c., 

 flowering in July. It is frequently cultivated in gardens, and 

 is very generally known and esteemed. 



The generic name is derived from cios, of Jupiter, and av^os, the 

 flower, expressive of the high value which was attached to these 

 beautiful plants. This species was named Caryophyllus by the 

 ancient writers, on account of the similarity of its odour to that 

 of the clove \, which was called by the Arabs Garunfel, meta- 

 morphosed by the Greeks into KccpvofuWov. 



The genus to which this plant belongs is very extensive, and 

 is valued both for the beauty of its flowers and for the evergreen 

 nature of their foliage. The favourite carnation, — ~ 



" The curious, choice. Clove July-flower," 



is generally allowed to have sprung from the Clove-pink, which 

 Chaucer calls " clone gilofre," and recommends as good — 



" to put in ale, 



Whether it be moist or stale." 



* In its cultivated state the flowers assume a deep crimson colour, and 

 are preferred for medicinal purposes. The petals must be picked when tho 

 flower is fully blown. 



f Upon the ancient archway of Weston-hanger. Mr. W. Hutchinson, 

 in G. E. Smith's Phcemg. Plants of East Kent. 



J Caryophyllus aromaticus, Linnmus. 



