356 The Dahlia. 



been raised from D. variabilis, which varies so much from 

 seed, that dark and light crimson, dark and light scarlet, 

 salmon-colored, lilac, dark purple, and striped flowers, have 

 been raised from the seeds taken from a single head of flowers. 



D. coccinea or frustranea only varies from scarlet, to orange 

 or yellow, and rarely produces double flowers. It is said 

 not to hybridize with D. variabilis. The most common colors 

 among Dahlias are purple and crimson in various shades. A 

 pure scarlet was at first rare, but it is now tolerably frequent. 

 There are also many shades of yellow and orange, but a per- 

 fectly pure white, or bright light rose-color, is rarely met with. 

 No blue Dahlia has yet been seen, and even the dark purples 

 have always a reddish tinge. The outer florets are sometimes 

 so much recurved as to make the flowers look ball-shaped, and 

 these are called Globe Dahlias. Sometimes there is only a 

 single row of broad flat ray florets, while the inner ones arc 

 erect and tubular ; and these are called Anemone-flowered. 

 Within the last few years, several new species have been 

 introduced, and it is probable that more will be discovered as 

 the Flora of Central America becomes better known. 



The species of which a drawing is given, is easily distin* 

 guished from the more common single-flowered species, by its 

 hollow stems, (which are very tall and strong, and only branch 

 at the top), and its bipinnate leaves. The flowers are of a 

 most brilliant scarlet, with a yellow disk ; and there are 

 twelve or more florets in a single series in the ray. A sandy 

 soil suits it best, and it must be tied to a tall stake. At page 

 316, directions are given for the cultivation of the Dahlia. 



