The Mullein. 359 



varieties of this species were known, but many have been since 

 produced, some of which are double or semi-double. 



" The Chinese Primrose," says Mr. Eley, " from its free 

 blooming habits, and pretty appearance in the winter months, 

 is a desirable plant for a room window. It is usually raised 

 from seed, which should be sown early in Spring, in a pot of 

 rich sandy soil, placed on a shelf near a window, and the soil 

 kept a little moist. When the plants are of sufficient size, they 

 should be potted in separate pots, in any light rich soil, and 

 in summer may be plunged in the flower-beds in a shady place, 

 or they may be planted out in any moist ground, and they will 

 often flower throughout the season. They must be taken in 

 before frost, and potted, and kept in the shade till they have 

 recovered. Those kept in pots should be shifted into larger 

 ones before autumn, and be kept in a cool room window till 

 they show their flower-buds ; then placed in a warm room, 

 and watered freely, when they will soon come into bloom." 



VERBASCUM— THE MULLEIN. 



Natural Order : Serophulariacese. Linncean System : Pentandria, Monogy- 

 nia. Generic Character : calyx, five parted. Corolla rotate, five-lobed, 

 unequal. Stamens, five, all bearing anthers ; decimate, usually bearded- 

 Anthers, lunate. Capsule, globose, two-valved. 



V. formosum. — Stem, branching ; leaves, woolly and white below, but green 

 and naked above ; usually cordate, acuminate. Spike, lax, tomentose. 

 The two lower stamens bent down, and widely apart. — Plate 50. 



The name Verbascum is said to have originally been Bar- 

 bascum, from barha, a beard, in allusion to the hairy filaments. 

 All the species are strong, vigorous plants, with broad, thick, 

 ■woolly leaves. The flowers, which are often very showy, are 

 disposed in long terminal racemes. The whole plant, except 

 the flowers, is generally covered with a kind of wool, which 

 makes the leaves feel soft and thick, much like flannel, to the 

 touch. The common American Mullein, V. Thapsus, is well 

 known, growing in every stubble-field, and by every wood- 

 side, where its dry, tall, prim-looking stalks, often remain the 



