HAARLEM. 197 



33'izarres are also from different breeders, but all having 

 the base of a clear yellow ; and of these above 300 kinds 

 are likewise enumerated. Of early or spring tulips, more 

 than 100 sorts are mentioned. These were the kinds most 

 highly prized two centuries ago ; but now they are compa- 

 ratively neglected. Some of these are early flowering va- 

 rieties of the common tulip, Tulipa Gesneriana ; others 

 of a small size, belong to a distinct species, T. suaveolens : 

 but Dutch florists do not regard botanical distinctions so 

 much as the purity of the base and ground colour, the de- 

 cided tint of the tracings and markings, the dark colour of 

 the anthers and stigma, and the rounded form of the petals. 

 There are many double tulips ; but to these a true florist, 

 of correct taste, is nowise partial. What we call Parrot- 

 tulips the Dutch denominate monsters ; a name, however^ 

 equally applicable to the double-flowered varieties. 



For the Ranunculus and Anemone, the soil of Haarlem 

 is not so favourable as for the hyacinth, or even the tulip. 

 To the Polyanthus-Narcissus, however, it seems well adapt- 

 ed, and large quantities of this bulb are here cultivated. 



Besides the general catalogue above mentioned, several 

 private lists are yearly published. As might be expected, 

 it not unfrequently happens, that in different bloemistries 

 the same variety of tulip or hyacinth receives different ap- 

 pellations. The rivalry of trade either prevents these 

 florists from concerting names, or incites them to employ 

 names of their own invention. The heterogeneous nomen- 

 clature thus produced is amusing for its pomposity, and for 

 the ingenuity with which it is contrived to catch the notice 

 of the great, or to flatter the prejudices of foreigners. The 

 Soverein van de Nederlanden is now brought forward as & 

 finer flower than the Koning van Holland ; and La Heine 

 JHortense is this year superseded by La Duchesse de Bern 



