The Meadow Saffron. 193 



guard of the four leaves, which afterwards separate and the seed 

 soon becomes ripe. Thus this plant, reversing the accustomed 

 order of the seasons, mingles its fruits with the flowers of spring, 

 and its flowers with the fruits of the autumn. For cultivation, 

 the bulbs should be taken out of the ground when the leaves are 

 decayed, and preserved like other flowering bulbs; but in Au- 

 gust, they should be committed to the earth, at about three inches 

 in depth, forming them into clumps wherever it may appear de- 

 sirable to add dwarf flowers. They have the best effect when 

 springing out of the turf, as the naked appearance of the flower 

 is not then so conspicuous, and the purple and white corollas 

 shine to more advantage on the green sward than on the bare 

 earth. There are several varieties, some being perfectly white, 

 others of a light or dark purple, and some that have the petals 

 striped with white and purple, and these are still further increased 

 by the flowers being doubled. 



The Broad-leaved Meadow Saffron — Colchicum Byzan- 

 tium, is a distinct species that grows naturally in the Levant, and 

 was introduced into England in the reign of Charles the First ; 

 this, with the Chequer Flower — C. Variegatum, was amongst 

 the flowers that were cultivated in the parterre of the unfortunate 

 Queen Henrietta Maria. The latter species was originally 

 brought from the Greek Isles, and as it is more tender than the 

 other kinds, it is generally treated as a green-house plant, and 

 frequently blossoms as late as November, displaying its beauti- 

 fully spotted corolla amongst the latest of Flora's gifts. The 

 common Meadow Saffron may be increased by the seeds, and 

 treated in the manner already directed for the raising of hyacinths. 

 The following beautiful lines relating to it, are taken from the 

 Moral of Flowers : 



Why mourn, dear girl, each passing year? 

 Why dread the sobering touch of time? 

 As if all bliss to mortals dear, . 

 Thoughts which ennoble, hopes which cheer, 

 Fled with our prime. 



Look up ! this calm autumnal day 



May want the joyousness of spring ; 

 But never did capricious May 

 Such. kindly warmth, such steadfast ray, 

 O'er nature fling. 

 N 



