472 Account and Description of Spring Crocuses, fyc. 



every Spring. Since I have known the place, the plants have 

 extended themselves considerably, evidently increasing from 

 seed, and in a few instances varying to white, though most of 

 the blossoms are purple ; and generally, though with excep- 

 tions, similar. They come into flower rather later, and the 

 flowers are also smaller than those of the Nottinghamshire 

 wild plant; the top of the tube and base of the petals on the 

 outer side are marked with dark purple, the petals are lan- 

 ceolate, rather concave, forming a fusiform flower ; the outer 

 petals are darker at the top but not spotted, the inner petals 

 are paler, with slight indications of feathering. The stigmas 

 are pale orange, broad at top, and elevated above the anthers. 

 The leaves are broad, upright, and not numerous. Several 

 trees of considerable size and age are growing in the place 

 where these Crocuses are to be seen ; it has been under 

 grass beyond the recollection of any person, and no record 

 remains of the existence of a garden there ; it is however 

 within a small distance of the mansion house. 



The varieties described in the following pages have been 

 selected from a much larger collection, none but those having 

 some merit or peculiarity have been retained, being the result 

 of many years attention. As this species freely reproduces 

 itself from seed, and as the seedlings are subject to much 

 variation, the extent of a collection may be rapidly enlarged, 

 though perhaps few individuals will be obtained which may 

 be thought deserving of comparison with those which have 

 been taken to form the following arrangement. 



The varieties have been divided into six sections, founded 

 on the prevailing colour, or peculiar markings, of each 

 division. To those a seventh section has been added, 

 consisting of those which flower so late, that they do not 



