540 
DECANDRIA. DIGYNIA. Dianthus. 
D. deltoi'des. Scales of the calyx two, egg-spear-shaped, acute: 
petals notched at the end: (leaves bluntish, somewhat downy. 
Sm. E.) 
(Hook. FI. Lond. 195. E.)— E. Bot. 61— FI. Dan. 577—Clus. i. 285. 1— 
Lob. Ic. 444. 1—Ger. Em. 59 3. 6— Pet. 56. 2—J. B. iii. 329. 4. 
{Plant growing in elegant tufts. E.) Boot slender, long, with a few fibres. 
Barren stems numerous, reclining, throwing out roots; j flowering stems 
six to eight inches high, cylindrical, slender, weak, jointed (more upright. 
E.) Leaves very narrow, in opposite pairs, embracing the stem ; those 
of the barren branches narrower, not much pointed. Flowers two or 
three on a stem. Blossom reddish, with a ring of deeper-coloured dots 
surrounding the eye. Seeds chaffy, brown. It flowers during the sum¬ 
mer and till autumn. Ray. Fruit-stalks single or in pairs. Flowers 
palish red, sometimes deeper, always with a circle of deep-coloured dots 
at the base of the limb. ( Stems numerous, decumbent. E.) 
Var. 2. Glaucus . (Leaves glaucous, scales of the calyx mostly four; 
flowers, white, with a purple circle. E.) 
Dill. Elth. 298. 384. 
In other respects differs very little from D. deltoides. Lightf. 
D. glaucus. Linn. Common in gardens. King’s Park, Edinburgh. Light- 
foot. 
degree of fastidiousness, has in this instance transformed a plant comparatively obscure, into 
one of the most delightful charms which the lap of Flora contains. The surprising meta¬ 
morphoses which the most indifferent are accustomed to contemplate with pleasure, were 
probably commenced beneath a more genial sky than that of Britain ; for we learn from 
Pliny that these productions were unknown to the Greeks, and equally so to the Romans until 
the Augustan age, when they were obtained from the brave Biscayans, as one trophy resulting 
from the conquest of that province, and were thence called Cantabrica. Our gardens may 
now receive embellishments from more than three hundred different kinds of Carnations, 
under the denomination of Flakes, Bizarres, and Picotees (Picquettes, spotted); and these 
may be propagated by cuttings, but more successfully by layers about the month of July. 
Surely floriculture must at least be deemed an innocent amusement; and that which could 
excite the admiration of the most powerful intellect cannot be altogether insignificant. 
* * * “ The fairest flowers of the season 
Are our Carnations , and streak’d Gillyflowers. 
* * * “ This is an Art 
Which does mend Nature, change it rather, but 
The Art itself is Nature.” 
Nor can we dissent from Knox when he asserts, ** Not he alone is to be esteemed a 
benefactor to mankind who makes a useful discovery, but he also who can point out aud 
recommend an innocent pleasure. It is obvious, on intuition, that Nature often intended 
solely to please the eye in her vegetable productions. She decorates the floweret that 
springs beneath our feet in all the perfection of external beauty. She has clothed the garden 
with a constant succession of various hues ; even the leaves of the tree undergo a pleasing 
vicissitude. To omit a single social duty for the cultivation of a flower were ridiculous as 
well as criminal; but to pass by the beauties lavished before us, without observing them, is 
no less ingratitude than stupidity.” Still less from a more modern writer ; “ To God all 
the parts of Nature are equally related. The flowers of the earth can raise our thoughts 
up to the Creator of the world as effectually as the stars of heaven ; and till we make this 
use of both, we cannot be said to think properly of either.” E.) 
