THE NARCISSUS. 97 



N. ITALICUS. This pretty species and its varieties are 

 not hardy. The flower is white and very pretty, but is sel- 

 dom seen in cultivation. 



N. PAPFRACEUS. This species, usually known as the 

 paper-white narcissus, is very ornamental, but not hardy. 

 It, however, does well in the greenhouse, and blooms very 

 early in the winter. The variety called " Double Roman " 

 has peculiar yellow and white mixed flowers, and blooms 

 about Christmas. It is very valuable as a parlor-plant 

 and for early forcing. 



There are many other species,* -Loudon enumerating 

 about fifty, and innumerable seedling varieties : all are 

 worthy of cultivation, and will well repay the care of the 

 amateur. The fanciful divisions of the family proposed by 

 some botanists have not been adopted, and all are now 

 known as narcissus. 



* See " Garden Flowers." 

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