peared subsequently, and from other quarters. The species 
had however certainly been cultivated at Chelsea in 1764, 
by’ Miller, who received it from Nimpu; but was niost 
probably soon lost, since we do not find it mentioned in 
the first edition of the Hortus Kewensis. 
The receptacle of the flower, in the specimens which have 
been inspected in european gardens, has been found to be 
clothed with chaff-like bractes; while that.of those from 
India, in various Herbariums, is said to be naked. . Hence 
both. the specific identity, as well as the admissibility of 
the former into a genus, of which a naked receptacle is. a 
character, haye been questioned. _ But from subsequent 
observation it appears now to be held, that the chaff is ad- 
ventitious, and an effect of luxuriance; so that, on this 
head at least, its present rank is no longer disputed. 
When cultivated in Provence, the florets are said to be 
studded with yellow powdery highly odoriferous particles, 
which disappear in the colder climate of Paris ; where, as 
we are told, the florets have a greater tendency to retain 
their tubular or, as the gardeners term it, “ quilled” form 
and not to open into thongs or ligule. In that state the 
appearance of the flower is considerably altered, the paler 
opaque exterior of the florets presenting itself, instead of 
the deeper-coloured bright interior. No flower varies more 
im colour, whence it has become by its numerous hues a prin- 
-cipal decoration of our conservatories in the dreary months 
of November and December. It survives in the open air 
our severest winters, in any soil (except a very wet one) 
and situation; but succeeds best when dressed and attended 
to; seldom expanding in perfection unless under shelter 
and in warmth. <A favourite with the florists throughout 
India; but particularly in China, where it is kept in a 
dwarf state, and the flowers treated much in the same way 
as directed by our gardeners for the management of the 
Carnation. We have heard that the single-rayed plant is in. 
our gardens, but have not seen it: The bloom, when smelled 
near, reminds us of the Chamomile, of which by som 
atrthors-it has-been-esteemed-a-congener. ae 
We are told, if cuttings about four or five inches long 
are taken from the upper part of the stems in May or June, 
‘and planted in garden-mould, under a hand-glass, in the 
usual way, they will take root and flower the same season in 
a dwarf state; and’ if only one flower is left to stand, thie 
bloom will be- considerably larger than when more remain. / 
