the stem of the flower is hid, and sometimes 
part of the flower itself. 
As these leaves vary as much in their dif- 
ferent shades of green, as their flowers do in 
other colours, I cannot make choice of any 
particular shade, but should wish that each 
grass might be that kind of green that would 
best contrast and set off the flower it belongs 
to. They differ much likewise in shape ; some 
are indented, others are even and smooth at 
the edges j some are thick and fleshy, while 
others are thin. The variety of shapes they 
assume, 1 attribute to their culture and seminal 
varieties. This variety of leaf is of no small 
use to the skilful Florist, who is thereby often 
capable of distinguishing the different sorts of 
flowers, and is therefore not at a loss for their 
names, if by chance their mai ks or tallies should 
be lost or removed from their pots. Most of 
the grass or green leaves of these flow'ers, and 
indeed sometimes the whole plant, is covered 
wdth a sort of mealy dust or farina ; but the 
bluish or pea-green leaves are mostly powdered 
with it, and this contributes greatly to the 
beauty of the plant, as well as to its preser\'a- 
tion from the scorching rays of the sun in sum- 
mer, The flow^er of the Auricida, like the 
