NARCIS SUS BULBOCODIUM. 
HOOP PETTICOAT. 
Class. Order. 
HEXANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
AMARYLLIDEjE. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Habit. 
Cultivated 
Portugal 
4 inches. 
April. 
Bulbous. 
in 1629. 
No. 548. 
The generic name is derived from narke, signi- 
fying stupor; alluding to the effects of the Narcis- 
sus. Ancient names are in common use amongst 
botanists, but it rarely happens that the descrip- 
tions of the ancients are sufficiently explicit to ad- 
mit of their plants being recognised. In reference 
to Narcissus, however, it is pretty certain that they 
applied the name to our species poeticus, therefore 
we look for the truth of their opinion implied in its 
signification. As a general principle, we believe it 
to be admitted by most persons of experience, that the 
perfume of flowers, in a room, may be so powerful 
as to operate injuriously on the brain. The late 
president of the Linnean Society, Sir. J. E. Smith, 
says he could himself bear witness that the smell of 
Narcissus, and some other sweet flowers, is pioduc - 
tive of headache and partial loss of recollection. 
In our northern latitude an offensive effluvia of any 
kind is greatly abated by the lowness of temper- 
ature. In Italy perfumes about the person, and 
flowers in apartments, are entirely rejected; not 
we presume, from the superior sensibility of Ital- 
ian noses, but from the more powerful effect of 
