Snaji Dragon. 311 



pregnation has taken place, when the mask falls off* to allow 

 a free access of air to the seed vessel. We have frequently 

 remarked that bees, and more particularly the humble-bees, 

 have entered this flower by pressiug open the lips, as if they 

 were conscious that such an opening existed, although it shuts 

 so close as to deceive the nicest eye, and snaps to the moment 

 the insect has gained admittance, leaving it to revel unmolested 

 within the mask, from which it makes its exit with the same 

 case as it entered. This species of instinct approaches near to 

 reason, since the bee cannot have been trained or instructed to 

 this habit. 



This plant produces its flowers in a spike, but the whole of 

 them fronting one way, which is generally to the sun ; and as 

 it gives out numerous branches, from two to three feet in 

 height,it becomes highly ornamental, particularly amongst dwarf 

 shrubs. The colors are numerous, consisting of all the shades 

 of a rich orange and yellow down to white, with the same va- 

 rieties in red and purple, and an endless change of party colors, 

 the most esteemed of which is that with a gold colored throat 

 and a dark crimson mouth and lips. 



It grows naturally in the South of Europe ; and as it is fre- 

 quently found on the cliffs of Dover, is now classed as one of 

 the native plants of England, although supposed not originally 

 to have belonged to that soil. 



These plants love a light soil and an open, sunny situation ; 

 but when transplanted into a rich and moist earth they produce 

 larger flowers, though the plant generally dies in the winter, 

 whilst those that grow on a dry or rocky soil continue several 

 years. They are easily raised from seed, which should be 

 sown in early spring; and it may be increased by cuttings, if 

 planted during the winter months. When intended to ornament 

 rock work the seeds should be scattered both in the autumn 

 and in the spring, which will ensure a supply of plants with- 

 out much farther trouble, and they are observed to endure the 

 winter better in such situations than when growing in the 

 borders of the garden ; and on this as well as other accounts it 

 should be considered rather a rustic than an elegant plant, and 

 therefore should not be placed among choice flowers, but mixed 

 with shrubs in the background, or placed on the banks or most 



