92 



THE GERAXIUM HOUSE. 



either introduced or originated in this country- within the last fifty or sixty 

 years. 



The teiTQ Pelargonium is derived from the Greek name for a stork's bill, 

 in allusion to the seed vessel, which resembles the beak of that bird : it was 

 separated from the Geranium by the late learned ^lonsieur I'Heritier, as 

 was the Erodium, which was formerly included under the general name of 

 Geranium also ; for although we are in the very general habit of using the 

 term geranium, geranium house, &c., when alluding to Pelargoniums, we 

 must admit that this is an inaccuracy of expression which has nothing but 

 habit to sanction it. 



The late excellent and learned Sir James Edward Smith appears to 

 have entertained no very high opinion of hybrid varieties of this family. 

 ''This vast and favomite genus," says he, "for which we are almost 

 entirely indebted to the Cape^of Good Hope, consists of a number of well- 

 marked species. But that number is greatly augmented in almost ever}' 

 book, by the admission of spiuious hybrid species or varieties, which con- 

 tinually start up from seed, wherever many of the primary' ones are culti- 

 vated, and are for a wliile propagated by cuttings and even by seed ; 

 sooner or later however, they, for the most part, vanish before the eyes 

 of those who witnessed their origin." Great confusion has arisen in 

 botanical works, for which the authors are much to blame, in consequence 

 of admitting sub-varieties of knoTNTi hybrid production, and also by regis- 

 tering many very doubtful ones in theii' works as species, for it must be 

 allowed, that admitting them into works of science is replete with the 

 greatest inconvenience. 



STRUCTURES CALCULATED FOR THE GROWTH OF GERANIACEiE. 



Any ordinary greenhouse, not too lofty, and capable of being com- 

 pletely ventilated, and situated in full exposure to the meridian sun, ^vill 

 answer very well for the cultm-e of this tribe. But if a house were to be 

 erected on pm-pose, one or other of the annexed figm-es, we should say, 

 would be a perfect model. As the plants of this family require all the 

 light, air, and sun, that our climate affords, it is necessary that the 

 Geranium house should front the south, and be perfectly free from the 

 shade of trees or buildings. 



A very complete Geranium house may be upon the same scale of size, 

 and constructed as that recommended for a Heathery, and may be attached 



