TAGE'TES LU'CIDA. 
LUCID TAGETES. 
Order. 
POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. 
Natural Order. 
CORYMBIFERjE. 
Native of 
Height 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Introduced 
Mexico. 
18 inches. 
July, Oct. 
Perennial. 
in 1798. 
No. 215. 
It has been supposed that the word Tagetes ori- 
ginated from Tages, the name of an Etruscan deity, 
grandson of Jupiter, who is said to have taught the 
Etruscans divination. Lucida, from the Latin, bright. 
Though the Tagetes lucida was introduced from a 
warm climate, it will bear moderate frosts ; and with 
the assistance of a cold frame, or if planted in the % 
open ground, a temporary covering, may be secured 
against our most severe weather. As its seeds are 
freely perfected with us, it is not improbable but it 
may hereafter be completely acclimated to England, 
and become one of the standard favourites amongst 
the prettiest ornaments of the flower garden. 
Its leaves, on being held up to the light, show 
numerous pellucid dots ; and microscopic examina- 
tion shows also very minute glandular spots, the 
former concave, the latter convex. The paren- 
chyma or pulp seems deficient under each, as the 
transparency of the leaf in these parts indicates 
nothing more than the thickness of the cuticle. 
Divide roots in spring; take cuttings in June; 
or raise young plants from seed, and give them a 
warm situation. 
Class. 
SYNGENESIA. 
Hort. Kew. 2, v. 5, 88. 
