VTSC.VRTA OCULA'TA. 
DARK-EYED ROCK I.YCHNTS. 
Class. 
DECANDRIA. 
Order. 
PENTANDRIA. 
Natural Order. 
SILENACE^. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration 
[ntroduceil 
Africa. 
2 feet. 
Summer. 
Annual 
in 1843. 
No. 96(). 
The above generic name, Viscaria, is founded on 
the word \-iscus, signifying bird-lime. The appli- 
cation of the name was suggested by the glutinous 
fluid found on the stems of the plant. 
We first met with this very attractive annual in 
the well-stocked and nicely-managed nursery of 
the Messrs. Backhouse, at York ; where, in the 
autumn of 1844, it was producing a gay and pleas- 
ing appearance. A single specimen resembles the 
old Lychnis coeli rosa; but flowering in beds it 
assumes a far more showy character. It is indeed 
one of the prettiest annuals that has been lately 
introduced to cultivation. 
The Messrs. Backhouse had received the seeds 
from Mr. Charles Munby, who had gathered them 
on the sides of diy hills, about thirty miles from 
Algiers. 
The Viscaria oculata is a perfectly hardy annual; 
and its foliage not being of a soft and succulent 
character, if it be sown in pots in the autumn, be 
kept rather dry, and protected from frost, the 
young plants may be turned out in spring, for early 
blossoming. 
