COCKSCOMBS 



479 



The pyramidal spike or panicle is the usual form in the genus. 

 G. argentea was introduced from China in 1740, G. pyramidalis from 

 India, 1820, and C. Huttonii from Java, 1871. 



Princi ai S ecies Celosia ARGENTEA (silvery). Stems branching from 



' the base, 1 foot high. Leaves narrow, pointed, stalkless, 

 or the stalks very short. Flowers white, in a dense, spike-like, erect 

 raceme ; June to September. The var. linearis differs only in the more 

 attenuated leaves. 



C. CRISTATA (crested). Common Cockscomb. Stems erect, 1 to 2 feet 

 high; roundish, striated, branched from near the base. Leaves lance- 

 shaped or oval-lance-shaped. Flowers dark red, in erect pyramidal 

 panicles ; June to September. The var. fasciata has the inflorescence 

 fasciated in a broad, compressed mass, larger above, the upper margin 

 convoluted ; the Garden Cockscomb. Plate 229. The var. coccinea is 

 like the type, but with scarlet panicles. The var. variegafa is also like 

 the type, except that the foliage is variegated ; and the var. comosa has 

 the scarlet or purplish flowers combined in a drooping pyramidal 

 panicle. There are numerous colour varieties, ranging from whitish 

 to dark crimson. 



C. Huttonii (Button's). Stem branched, 1 to 2 feet high. Leaves 

 oval, crimson, or claret-coloured. Flowers red in oval spikes. Plant 

 forming a pyramidal bush. Stove. 



C. PYRAMIDALIS (pyramidal). Stems 1 to 3 feet high. General 

 aspect of plant similar to the natural form of C. cristata, but with the 

 flowers variously tinted, pink, crimson, red, yellow, or violet. 



Celosias are not hardy plants. They must be 

 germinated and grown on in heat, though they may be 

 afterwards employed for summer decoration outside. Seed should be 

 sown in pans of rich sandy soil early in spring, and these placed in the 

 hot-bed. A day temperature of about 70°, falling not lower than 65° at 

 night, is requisite, with a moist, fresh atmosphere. When the seedlings 

 appear the pans must be brought close to the glass, and care taken that 

 they do not dry. As soon as they can be handled with safety they 

 must be transferred singly to small pots, inserting them deeply so that 

 the seed-leaves are close to the soil. This is to induce as dwarf a habit 

 as possible, and this eflbrt is continued by growing in a warm frame, 

 close to the glass, and in the case of G. cristata in an atmosphere as dry 

 as possible to induce early flowering. Other species will not endure to 

 be kept dry. When the flower-heads begin to appear, selection must be 

 made of the finest, and these repotted in five-inch pots, after giving the 

 roots a thorough soaking. The potting soil should be a compost of equal 



