NAT. ORDER. CAMPANULACEJE. 
77 
received the name of Rapun cuius, from the resemblance of the root 
to that of a turnip : hence they have the names Rapum, Rapuntum, 
Rapunculus, from whence spring the French name Raiponce, the 
German Rapunzel, the Spanish one of Rapiunchiga, and the English 
one of Rampion. 
Prof. Jacquin is the first author who ever figured this species 
of Campanula ; afterwards Linnseus, the son, described it, and as- 
signed it the characters specified above ; but expressing his doubts 
whether it was not a variety of the Campanula carpatica. Prof. 
Jacquin clearly demonstrates that it cannot be so, as it differs most 
essentially from that plant in a variety of particulars. His specific 
description given agrees much better with the plants we have seen 
flower here, than that of Linnseus ; there being generally more than 
one flower on a stalk, and the leaves rarely growing three together. 
The blossoms of this plant, when it grows in perfection, are very 
large, nearly double the size of those of the Campanula carpatica, 
whence its name grandiflora. Previous to their opening fully, they 
somewhat resemble an air balloon, from which circumstance it has 
been called by some the Balloon-plant. This is as yet a rare plant 
in this country, and likely to continue so, as it is with difficulty that 
it is increased, multiplying but little by its roots, scarcely to be struck 
from cuttings, and rarely produciug perfect seeds. 
Propagation and Culture. All the species are elegant and 
handsome when in blossom, and are well adapted for decorating 
flower borders. They in general thrive well in common garden 
earth. The seeds of the biennial and annual kinds should be sown 
in the open border in the spring. The perennial species may either 
be propagated by division or by seed. By sowing the seeds in the 
autumn, the plants will blossom early in summer, and by successive 
sowings in spring, at intervals of two or three weeks, a succession 
of blossoming plants may be kept up. Some of the perennial 
and biennial species, natives of the warm latitudes, require a little 
protection in winter, when the weather is severe. 
