226 THE LADIES' FLOWER-GARDEN 
should always be planted in a dry soil, and should be kept as dry as possible during winter, it requires abundance 
of water when it is about to flower. It was introduced before 1640 ; and consequently it has been a common 
garden flower in this country above two hundred years. 
GENUS XLII. 
UROSPERMUM, Scop. THE SHEEFS BEARD. 
Lin. Syst. SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA ^QUALIS. 
Generic Character. — Receptacle naked. Pappus feathery, stalked. Involucre of the calyx eight-parted, glabrous. 
Description, &c. — This genus is very nearly allied to Tragopogon, the Goat's-beard ; but it has been 
separated on account of tlie involucre being tubular at the base. The botanic name is derived from two Greek 
words, signifying a shoal of seeds. There is only one perennial species. 
1.— UROSPERMUM DALECHAMPII, Scop. THE GREAT-FLOWERED SHEEP'S BEARD. 
Syvonymes. — Anopogon Dalechampii, Willd, ; Ti-agopogon Dale- I Specific Character. — Involucre pubescent, unarmed. Leaves pin- 
champii, Liyi. ; T. vertfciUatum, Lam. \ natifidly runcinatc. 
Enqraving. — Bot. Mag. t. 1623. | 
Description, &c. — A coarse -growing plant, with a large head of pale yellow florets, which are purple on the 
back. The leaves are large, and somewhat coarse, with very strongly-marked veins. It is a hardy perennial, a 
native of Spain and the southern part of France, whence it was introduced before 1739. It is now very seldom 
seen in gardens. 
GENUS XLIII. 
SCORZONERA, Lin. THE VIPER'S GRASS. 
Lin. Syst. SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA iEQUALIS. 
Generic Character. — Receptacle naked. Pappus feathery, with a short stalk. Involucre imbricated. Scales rough at the margin. 
Description, &'C. — The common Scorzonera, or Viper's Grass, (S. hispanica,) is a well-known plant in 
Spain, where it is considered as a sure remedy against the bite of a viper ; the name Scorzonera signifying 
literally Viper Grass. Tlie roots of the common species are frequently cooked and sent to table ; and its flowers 
are yellow, but not ornamental. Most of the other species have yellow flowers, but some are purple or 
rose-coloured. Only one kind is worth growing in flower-gardens. 
1.— SCORZONERA PURPUREA, Lin. THE PURPLE VIPER-GRASS. 
Engravings.— Bot. Mag. t. 2294 ; and om Jig. 1 in PI. 59. 
Specific Character. — Leaves linear, subulate, channelled, or triangular. Stem branched. Peduncles cylindrical. 
Description, &c. — The large-flowered variety of this very handsome plant is well deserving of cultivation 
in any garden. It is quite hardy, and produces its very showy lilac flowers in May. It is a native of Austria, 
whence it was introduced in 1 759. 
