14 
THE FLORIST^ JOURNAL. 
reflexed; the former are green, and the latter pale purple, ex¬ 
posing the anthers, which are united like a beak, enclosing the 
style in their embrace. The flower resembles an inverted cone, 
of the greatest elegance ; the whole, together, forming a beautiful 
truss of lovely flowers. 
The plant should have a good rich loam to grow in, and in 
which it will arrive at its greatest magnitude ; for the stronger 
it grows, the more intense are the colours, and more numerous 
the trusses. 
There are at least two varieties of this favourite plant, namelv, 
D. elegans, and D. giganlea , which are superior to the original, 
both in bulk and beauty. They are all propagated by division of 
the root, and easily cultivated, if not allowed to stand too long in 
the same spot. 
The Dodecatheon belongs to the fifth class, and first order of 
Linnasan botany, and to the natural order Primulacece. Why it 
should be called Twelve Divinities , is uncertain. 
8. Soldanella is a beautiful little Alpine genus, of which 
there are four species in our collections. They are generally kept 
in pots, placed in frames, and brought to the greenhouse, or to the 
windows of sitting-rooms, when in flower. The flowers are star¬ 
shaped, and either purple or bright blue, and are really beautiful 
from their regular form and neatness, especially when the dimi¬ 
nutive size of the plant is considered. The species already 
described are the S. alpina, S. montana, S. minima , and the 
S. pusilla. Two-thirds peat and one-third sandy loam, is the 
best soil for them. They are increased by seeds, or by parting 
the roots. The flowers are Pentandrious, that is, they have 
stamens and one style ; and belong to the natural order Primu¬ 
lacece. 
9. Cyclamen is another beautiful tuberous rooted genus, also 
belonging to the fifth class and first order of sexual botany, and to 
the same natural order Primulacece . In Greece, and the south of 
Europe, where the plants are wild, they are called Sow Bread, 
from the circumstance of hogs being excessively fond of the tubers. 
There are nine species of the genus ; three of them, namely, the 
C. count , C. vernum, and C. Europceum are pretty hardy, and 
flow'er well in a rich light soil. They are usually, howeVer, 
flowered in pots, for the convenience of placing them on flower- 
stands. They should be shifted into fresh compost every autumn, 
