, EING- wholly destitute of the delicate grace 

 of many bulbs, the tulip is ever attractive 

 from its beauty, and brilliancy of color, and 

 delicate markings. Probably no flower was 

 ever a subject of commercial speculation, or rather gam- 

 bling, to such an extent ; and the history of the " Tulipo- 

 mania " in the latter part of the sixteenth and early part of 

 the seventeenth centuries, when as much as five hundred 

 pounds were paid for a single bulb, is a most readable 

 chapter o extravagant delusion. Although the mania has 

 long since been seen in its true light, yet, even at the pres- 

 ent time, larger sums are paid for tulips than for any other 



109 



