CHAPTER XV 



The Tender Cluster-Flowered Nar- 

 cissus 



The polyanthus narcissus (A''. Tazetta) 

 and its many varieties form a large family 

 of closely resembling types, popularly called 

 "sweet-scented cluster-flowered narcissus," 

 the flowers being borne in many flowered 

 clusters. 



The history of this ancient race extends 

 to the misty eras of legend and mythology. 

 At the present time descendents of the varied 

 types are found growing wild over a wide 

 area neighboring the Mediterranean from 

 Spain to Asia Minor, and some few even as 

 far east as India, China, and Japan, and 

 westward others have become naturalised and 

 typified in the Canary and Scilly Isles, and 

 even in Bermuda. 



Being natives of a mild climate, the Tazet- 

 tas cannot withstand the rigours of cold lati- 

 tudes and are not to be depended upon as 

 garden plants north of the freezing belt. The 

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