nity to ascertain, since the return of peace 
with Holland, whether the Dutch florists cul- 
tivate it with the same pains and care as for- 
merly, and whether they have raised any new 
and elegant varieties from seed, tit to stand in 
competition with our present tavourite sorts. 
Be the origin of this flower as it may, there 
can be no doubt but the first that were found 
in their wild state were not without beauty, 
and thought worthy a place in the garden, of 
which it has been since one of its greatest 
ornaments. But the Auricula, like most other 
plants, owes its present perfection to the care 
and cultivation of the gardener and florist. 
There are many individuals, as private florists, 
to whom the admirers of flowers are greatly 
indebted, who, having more time and leisure 
to bestow on their cultivation than gardeners 
in general have, whose occupation is various, 
and not confined to the management of one 
particular plant, &c. have wonderfully im- 
proved many that were at first single . and 
simple, and have increased their variety, size, 
and beauty, to an extent almost incredible; 
nor must I forget to mention the sportivencss 
of Nature, that Lusus Naturce, which some- 
times reverses and changes its own established 
