29 
MIMULUS ROSEUS. 
(rosy monkey-flower.) 
CLASS. 
DIDYNAMIA. 
ORDER. 
AN GIOSPERMI A. 
NATURAL ORDER. 
SCROPHULARINEiE. 
Generic Character. — Calyx 5-tootlied, with elevated angles. Corolla personate, upper lip two-lobed, 
the lower one parted into three segments. Stamina didynamous. Anthers divaricated, spreading 
lobes. Stigma composed of two plates. Capsule inclosed, two- celled, two-valved, valves entire. 
Specific Character. — The whole herb covered with soft glandular hairs. Leaves ovate-oblong, acute, 
occasionally furnished with a few minute teeth. Calyx , teeth nearly equal and sharp pointed. 
Corolla twice as long as the calyx. Stamens shorter than the tube. 
This is a very beautiful species ; indeed, with the exception of the two varieties 
of rivularis, viz. Smithii and Youngii, it may be stated as the handsomest mimulus 
cultivated. Mr. Douglas sent seeds of it, in 1831, from North California, to the 
Horticultural Society of London, in whose garden it flowered the following summer, 
and was figured by Dr. Lindley in his excellent Botanical Register, fol. 1591. 
It is a perennial, and seems scarcely so easy of culture as the generality of this 
genus. The best way is to keep it constantly either in a frame or green-house, 
potted in light loam, and the pot placed in a pan of water. It will, however, grow 
and flower in the open border during summer, but in this case its flowers are very 
small, and very little ornament, and it is indispensable to shelter it in winter either 
in a green-house or frame. It is increased by cuttings, and occasionally it ripens 
seeds. A strong musky odour is emitted by it, similar to that of the mosckatus. 
All the species of mimulus are remarkable for the irritability of the stigma ; the 
two lobes lie rather wide of each other when not irritated ; but if touched slightly 
with a needle, a straw, or a bristle, they instantly close. 
The annual species, as floribundus and parvijlorus, are raised easily from seeds, 
which may be sown in April, in a warm situation in the open border in common 
soil ; they, however, grow stronger if the soil be peat. As soon as they are large 
enough, thin them carefully out, or they are liable to damp off. 
The hardy perennial species and varieties, as the moschaius , luteus, luteus rivu - 
laris , alatus, &c., are easily increased by divisions of the roots and seeds. The 
moschatus thrives much the best if planted in a shady damp border of peat soil : in 
