THE NARCISSUS. 93 



N. POETICUS. This very common and beautiful species 

 is a native of Southern Europe. There are many varieties, 

 including double and semi-double ; but all are easily dis- 

 tinguished from other species by the deep-purple ring in 

 the centre of the color, round the margin of the cup. The 

 flowers are solitary, white, with a yellow cup, bordered by 

 red, purple, or orange. 



This species needs a deep, rather moist soil, and in such 

 never fails to expand its flowers. In poor soils, the flowers 

 are very apt to dry up in the bud-sheath, which they do not 

 appear to have strength to break. The double varieties 

 are more liable to this disease than the single. All the 

 varieties are perfectly hardy, and, once planted, may 

 remain undisturbed for years. 



N. BIFLOKUS. The origin of this species is unknown : 

 it has, however, been a garden-flower for several hundred 

 vears. It resembles the species last described, but is 

 readily distinguished by having two or three flowers on a 

 stem, and by the rim of the cup being white. The flowers 

 are handsome, and very fragrant. The species and vari- 

 eties are perfectly hardy, though not very common. 



N. GRACILIS. A common and pretty pale-yellow species, 

 with a deeper-colored variety : both hardy, and growing 

 freely in any garden-soil. 



