58 



GAILLARDIA DRUMMONDII. 



This is an elegant annual, varying considerably in the colour of its inflor- 

 escence ; so much so, that to this circumstance, we imagine, are to be attributed 

 the errors in the synonyms in the Botanical Magazine, t. 3368, and those also of 

 t. 1602. We have attentively examined the figures of the species hitherto pub- 

 lished, and cannot but coincide with the distinguished Professor De Candolle in 

 their arrangement, as well as the synonyms lately published by him in the fifth 

 volume of his Prodromus. Dr. Hooker, in the letter-press to t. 3368, above 

 quoted, places G. Aristata, Pursh. Bot. Reg. t. 1186, as a synonym of our present 

 plant ; whereas our plant is annual, and G. Aristata is perennial ; indeed we feel 

 assured that most of the synonyms quoted by Sir W. Hooker at t. 3368, as well 

 as those at t. 1602, ought to be excluded. 



For its culture the soil should be loam, or loam and peat mixed ; it may be 

 propagated by cuttings of the young shoots, as they strike readily in sand under 

 a hand-glass in a cool situation. This is the only way of perpetuating the plant 

 unless it should perfect seeds, as it does not appear to send up young plants from 

 the fleshy roots, as is the case with G. bicolor, Bot. Mag. 1602, and G. Aristata, 

 Bot. Reg. t. 1186. The young plants require the protection of a cold frame in 

 winter, and may be planted out in April. It is a native of South America, and 

 was introduced by seeds sent to this country by Mr. Drummond, who gathered 

 them at Rio Brazos, in Texas, in the year 1833. 



The generic name, Gaillardia, was given in honour of M, Gaillard de Maren- 

 tonneau, an amateur Botanist ; and the specific name, Drummondii, in compliment 

 to the collector, Mr. Drummond. 



