LEIMAN'THIUM VIRGIN'ICUM. 
VIRGINIAN LEIMANTHIUM. 
Class. Order. 
POLYGAMIA. MON(ECIA. 
Natural Order. 
melanthace^:. 
Native of 
Heig'ht. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Introduced 
N. America 
2 feet. 
June, July. 
Perennial. 
in 1768. 
No. 750. 
Leimanthium is derived from the Greek lei- 
MON, meadow; and anthos, a flower. The motive 
for the adoption of such name is explained by the 
name itself. 
This plant was called Melanthium by Linneus, 
and all his immediate successors; Asphodelus by 
Plunket; and Helonius by Gauler and others. The 
progress of discovery has demanded that it should 
have one more remove, but which it would be un- 
wise to suppose will afford it a permanent resting 
place. Motion and change seem to be inherent to 
every thing belonging to terrestrial matter and af- 
fairs. This may be admitted without entertaining 
the whole Leibnitzian philosophy. True it is that 
Botanists supply a prominent example of change, 
but generally, it is fair to presume, it arises from 
a just influence of a discriminating perception, and 
not, as Aristotle would say, of phantasms. 
The Leimanthium Virginicum is not showy in 
colour, but when well grown, in a peat bed, it be- 
comes a handsome plant, and will not unfrequently 
attract attention when those of gayer colour are un- 
heeded. It may be divided, in spring, for increase. 
