Part II. MUSCARI. 253 



MUSCARI MOSCHATUM.— Af«J,J Hyacinth. 



This is so deliciously sweet-scented and withal so decidedly- 

 ugly that it ought long ago to have been a favourite with authors 

 of books on the " Language of Flowers," so suggestive is it of 

 merit under the plainest of exteriors. When it comes in flower 

 in March or April, according to warmth of season or position, 

 the flowers, larger than those of the blue kind, are of such an 

 indescribably unattractive tone of livid greenish yellow that 

 many persons do not notice them lying among the leaves, and 

 wasting their sweetness on the winter-beateri earth. For its 

 fragrance it deserves general culture, and Should be valued for 

 imparting to bouquets the sweetness in which many brilliant 

 flowers are deficient, and also for scenting the air in the open 

 garden in spring. The most suitable position for it is on bare, 

 open spots by wood walks where it would not be disturbed, or 

 along the low margins of shrubberies, or in any position where 

 its want of brilliancy may not lead to its destruction. There are 

 several varieties of this plant — one, M. luteum, being of a clear 

 waxy sulphur colour, and almost as handsome in tone as it is 

 deliciously sweet. A native of South Europe. 



MUSCARI EACEMOSUM. — Common Grapeflower. 



This, the " dark blue grape-flower " of Parkinson, is a very old 

 inhabitant of our gardens, and is also a native plant, or one that 

 has escaped from cultivation. The dull green, channeled, weakly 

 leaves attain a length of from twelve to eighteen inches, the 

 flower-stem growing from nine inches to a foot high, the flowers 

 being arranged on it in a dense terminal raceme. The flowers, 

 very dark purple, and slightly covered with what grape-growers 

 call bloom, almost remind one of berries. They smell " like unto 

 starch when it is new made and hot." It is a vigorous grower, 

 and will, as our interesting old friend, John Parkinson, remarks, 

 " quickly choak a ground, if it be suffered long in it. For which 

 cause most men do cast it into some by-corner if they mean to 

 preserve it, or cast it out of the garden quite." 



M. pallens, coniosum m.onstrosum, commutatum, neglectum, 

 and Heldreichii, are also in cultivation, the last, which is as yet 

 very rare, being the best. 



