Caryophyllecz Dianthus. 



violet, &c. Among these varieties we may allude more particu- 

 larly to those of Heddewig, introduced from Russia a few years 

 ago by an amateur of that name, remarkable alike for the size 

 of their flowers and the beauty of their colouring. They have 

 been divided into two groups : the Giant varieties (D. Chinensis 

 gigdnteus\ in which the peduncles are usually one-flowered ; 

 and the Fringed varieties (D. Chinensis laciniatus), with the 

 flowers always large and often double, and petals deeply jagged 

 or torn, giving them an unusual appearance in the genus. 



Following these species, though less known and less generally 

 cultivated, we may cite the Superb Pink, D.superbus (fig. 46), 

 whose pink or carmine rather large flowers are fringed or deeply 

 laciniated ; the Virgin Pink, D. virgineus ; the Deltoid Pink, 

 D. deltoldes-, the French Pink, 

 D. Gdllicus ; and the Shining- 

 Pink, D. fulgens, with crimson 

 flowers : all natives of Europe, 

 and which would doubtless 

 produce many beautiful varie- 

 ties with careful culture. D. 

 ccesius, neglectus, and aren- 

 arius are some of the best 

 species for rockeries. 



Hybrid Varieties. As in 

 most genera rich in species, 

 those of the genus Didnthus 

 readily cross, and, although 

 gardeners have not proceeded 

 herewith more order or method 

 than they have with Roses, 

 there are several varieties 

 whose hybridity can scarcely 

 be contested. This is parti- 

 cularly the case with the 

 variety called Flon, a very 

 beautiful perpetual variety, 

 found, it is said, amongst some 

 seedlings of the Sweet Wil- 

 liam by a gardener of Angers, M.Flon, and from which another 

 gardener, M. Pare, has succeeded in raising some new varieties. 

 It is supposed that the plant which furnished the seeds was 

 fertilised by the Carnation, or rather by the Tree-Carnation, a 



F 2 



Fig. 46. Dianthus supertax. (J nat. size.) 



