GENTIANA CATESB^E'I. 
catesby’s gentian. 
Order. 
DIGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
GENTIANEiE. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Introduced 
N. America. 
1 foot. 
June, July. 
Perennial. 
in 1803. 
No. 113. 
The name of Gentius, king of Illyria, gave rise to 
the appellation Gentiana. A species of it is said to 
have been discovered by him, and used as a cure for 
the plague which infected his army. Catesby, whose 
name distinguishes this beautiful species was an emi- 
nent English naturalist, who spent the greater part 
of his time, between 1712 and 1726 in America ; 
industriously employing himself in the collection of 
various objects connected with each department of 
natural history. On his return to England, he pub- 
lished his splendid work, “The Natural History of 
Carolina;” a performance which amply testifies the 
wide range of his pursuits. 
This elegant herbaceous plant, though not exhi- 
biting the intensity of colour which some of the gen- 
tians possess, is deservedly admired, and should 
occupy a prominent place in every collection. 
It should be planted in a rich loam, mixed with a 
little peat ; and as its stems are altogether low and 
neat, it may be placed near to the front of the parterre. 
An increase may be obtained by separating the roots ; 
but to procure a good show of flowers, this should 
not be done too frequently. 
Hort. Kew. 2, v. 2, 112. 
Class. 
PENTANDRIA. 
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