OP ORNAMENTAL PERENNIALS. 
78 
Generic Cuaricter.' 
GENUS VII. 
ALYSSUM, Lin. MADWORT. 
Lin. Si/st. TETRADYNAMIA SILICULOSA. 
-Silicle roundish. Seeds two in each cell. Calyx equal at the base. Petals emaiginate. 
Stamens all or some of them toothed. 
Description, &c. — The perennial species belonging to this genus, dififering slightly from the annual kinds in 
the seeds and seed-pods, have been made into a new genus called Adyseton, which has been adopted by some 
botanists, though not generally. As 1 exceedingly dislike changing established names, especially when they 
have become so popular as that of Alyssum ioxatile, I have retained the old name, though all the plants I shall 
describe are included in the new genus. Alyssum is derived from a, not, and lysa, rage ; and it is applied to 
these plants from their supposed power of calming madness. 
1.— ALYSSUM SAXATILE, Lin. THE ROCK ALYSSUM. 
Specific Character. — Stems suii^Tuticose at the base, somewhat 
corymbose ; leaves lanceolate, entire, clothed with hoary tomentum. 
Stamens furnished with a tooth on each side. Pods obovate, ort)icular, 
2-8eeded ; seeds margined. 
Synonym^s. — Adyseton saxatile, Scop. ; Aurinia saxatilis, Desv. ; 
Alyssum Creticum, Tourn. ; Thlaspi luteum, £oc&. ,* Yellow Alys- 
sum ; Corbeille d'Or. 
Engravihbs Bot. Mag. t. 159 ; and owe fig. 3 in Plate 17, under 
the name of Adyseton aaxatile. 
Description, &c. — Few plants are better known or more valued in gardens than Alyssum saxatile. Its 
brilliant yellow flowers, which are produced in a dense mass, and its dwarf growth, render it particularly usefbl 
for either regular flower-beds or rock-work ; and there are few prettier border flowers. It is quite hardy, and 
requires no other care than planting it in a light dry soil. It is propagated by dividing the root, or by cuttings, 
which strike readily in sand. 
2.— ALYSSUM MONTANUM, Lin. THE MOUNTAIN ALYSSUM. 
Synokyhes. — Adyseton montanum, G. Don ; Clypeola montana, Specific Character. — Stems i-ather herbaceous, diffuse, pubescent ; 
Crantz. leaves somewhat hoary, lower ones obovate, upper ones oblong ; 
Engravimos. — Bot. Mag. t. 419 ; and ovxfig. 4, in Plate 17. under racemes simple ; pods orbicular and somewhat emarginate, grey, 
the name of Adyseton montanum. 
Description, &o. — This species is very small, and rather pretty ; it is indeed very much like A. saxatile, 
except in being smaller in all its parts. It is a native of the mountains of Switzerland, whence it was introduced 
in 1759. It is quite hardy ; and as it is of slow growth, and only requires to be grown in dry sandy soil, it is 
very suitable for rock-work. It is generally propagated by cuttings. 
OTHER SPECIES OF ALYSSUM. 
These are very numerous, and they are all hardy and with yellow flowers. They are not worth, however, 
enumerating, as they are very seldom seen in British gardens. 
