DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 155 
generally rather dull—some of them dirty-looking. The 
scarlets and crimsons are the only colors that look well. 
There are the tall and dwarf varieties, and some that are 
somewhat branching; but these last should be rejected. 
To produce fine combs, the soil cannot be made too rich; 
the plants must also be forwarded in a hot-bed. Very 
showy plants can be raised by sowing in the open ground 
the middle of May, but they cannot be raised in perfec- 
tion. The appellation, Cocks-comb, was given it from the 
form of its crested head of flowers, resembling the comb 
of a cock. Sometimes the heads are divided like a plume 
of feathers. 
& 
CENTAUREA.—Star Tutstie. 7 
(It is said that with this plant, the Centaur Chiron cured the wound in his 
foot, made by the arrow of Hercules.] 
Centauréa cyanus, is a popular border hardy annual. 
It is known by the common name-of Blue-bottle. In 
Europe it is a common weed, in cornfields and on gravely 
soils, having blue flowers; but when cultivated, it sports 
into varieties of white, purple, pink, parti-colored, etc., and 
is a handsome flower. 
_ €. Americéna.—American Centaurea.—Is a handsome 
hardy annual, discovered by Nuttall, oF the alluvial soil 
of the Arkansas and Red rivers. It has.large purplish- 
lilac flowers, somewhat resembling a large thistle; it 
grows two or three feet high, flowering in August and 
September. It is of easy culture, and should be sown the 
first of May. 
C. Moschata, varieties pupiirea and Alba, are handsome 
border annuals of easy culture, natives of Persia, two feet 
high, with fragrant flowers ; from July to October. It is 
commonly known by the name of Sweet Sultan. 
