the bracteal scales to the calyx, and of the pair of involucral leaves to 
the head of flowers, are inconstant on the same plant, and consequently 
very unsatisfactory marks of distinction; and we consider the greater 
or less degree of compactness in the heads of flowers of still less value. 
Willdenow’s character of the petals of ferrugineus being bifid, with the 
laciniz three-toothed, cannot be trusted, and might well be suspected 
in a genus where the laciniation of the petals of one species, Dianthus 
caryophyllus, are so well known to sport to a very great extent. The 
upper surface of the petals of Dianthus carthusianorum are more or 
less villose, whilst those of Dianthus capitatus have been described as 
smooth ; although in —— of the latter from Georgia, distributed 
by the Unio Itineraria, there is a distinct villosity apparent, and in 
our present plant also these si are covered with short glandular 
pubescence. 
INTRODUCTION ; WHERE GROWN; CuLTuRE. This Sepast novelty 
was exhibited last August (1836) at Bristol, to the botanical section 
of the British Association, by H. F. Talbot, Esq. of Laycock Abbey, 
Chippenham. This gentleman stated that he had received the seed 
from which the plant was raised a few years back from Italy. He 
had found it to be perfectly hardy, and to flower very freely in the 
open border. Italy and other parts of the south of Europe are prolific 
in respect to this genus, which occasioned Shaw’s allusion in the 
following lines. 
“Tn fair Italia’s bosom born, 
Dianthus spreads his fringed ray ; 
And glowing ‘mid the purpled morn, 
. Adds fragrance to the new-born day. 
Oft by some mould’ring cranial tower, 
Or classic stream, he loves to 
Where dancing nymphs, and “Sea blithe, 
Once listen’d to the notes of love. 
Sweet flower, beneath thy natal sky 
No fav’ring smiles thy scents invite ; 
To Britain’s worthier regions fly, 
And paint her meadows with ailgik. . 
It should be remembered that perfumes are held in aversion by the 
Italians, which circumstance has drawn from the author the above 
forcible remark. 
The Dianthus has been so universal a favourite in our gardens, and 
so many beautiful varieties have originated under the hand of the 
