48 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



In the day-time the leaves of this plant are expanded, 

 but at night are pendent ; contrary to the habit of plants 

 in general, which are more apt to droop during the heat 

 of the day. This plant grows in England and many other 

 parts of Europe, and in Canada : it is the only species of 

 Impatiens which grows wild in Europe. 



The Garden Balsam, which, as its name implies, is the 

 most commonly cultivated in our gardens, is a native of 

 the East and West Indies, China, and Japan. The 

 Japanese use the juice prepared with alum to dye their 

 nails red. This beautiful flower has been much enlarged, 

 and numerous varieties have been produced, by culture. 

 Mr. Martyn, in his edition of Millar's Dictionary, speaks 

 of having seen one, " the stem of which was seven inches 

 in circumference, and all the parts large in proportion; 

 branched from top to bottom, loaded with its party- 

 coloured flowers, and thus forming a most beautiful 

 bush." 



There are white, purple, and red ; striped and varie- 

 gated, single and double, of each. Millar mentions two 

 remarkable varieties: the Immortal Eagle, a beautiful 

 plant with an abundance of large double scarlet and white, 

 or purple and white flowers ; and the Cockspur, of which 

 the flowers are single, but as large as those of the former 

 species ; with red and white stripes. This is apt to grow ' 

 to a considerable size before it flowers; so that in bad 

 seasons it will bear but few blossoms. 



In Ceylon and Cochin-China, there is a species of Bal- 

 sam, from the leaves of which the inhabitants of Cochin- 

 China make a decoction to wash and scent their hair. 



The flowers of the Balsam will be handsomer if the 

 plant be raised in a hot-bed : in May, if the weather be 

 mild, it may be gradually accustomed to the open air. It 

 must be watered every evening, but gently ; and being a 



