EGG-PLANT. SOLANUM MELONGENA. SOLANEE. PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. The inhabitants of the British islands in the West Indies call it Brown-John, or Brown-Jolly.-French, mayenne; aubergine; beringene; verangeane; plante à œuf.-Italian, melanzana [mad apple]; uovo Turco [Turkish egg]; petronciano; marignano. ALL the varieties of the Egg-plant are annual, and must be raised in a hot-bed: they are cultivated chiefly for their fruit, which is formed like an egg, and when white, has exactly the appearance of one: it varies in size from two to nine or ten inches in length; and in colour, from white to yellow, pale red, or purple. Here the fruit is only regarded as a curiosity; but in the East Indies they broil it, and eat it with salt and pepper; or slice it, pickle it for an hour or two, boil it tender, and eat it as greens. The Turks, who are fond of it, call it Badinjan. It may be placed in the open air at the end of May. The fruit appears in July; and then, when the weather is dry, water should be given liberally every evening. ERINUS. RHINANTHACEÆ. DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. French, l'erine; la mandeline. THE Alpine Erinus is a pretty little plant, producing flowers of a lively purple, which are in bloom the greater part of the summer; appearing in April or May. It is a native of Germany, the Swiss Alps, the Pyrenees, and the South of France. It must not be set in a rich soil: it may be prefers a loamy earth, is fond of the shade, and increased by parting the roots in autumn. The Erinus grows naturally among the rocks, and will thrive well in the chinks of an old wall: it should have a little water in dry weather. CORYMBIFERE. EVERLASTING. GNAPHALIUM. SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. The botanical name is derived from the Greek, and signifies cotton, or nap: the origin of the familiar name is obvious.-French, gnaphale; cottoniere.—Italian, gnafalio; elicriso. THE Common Shrubby Everlasting grows to the height of about three feet. It has yellow flowers, which, if gathered before they are much opened, and kept from air and dust, will continue in beauty many years. It is a native of Germany, France, and Spain. By old writers, it is called Gold-flower, God's-flower, Goldilocks, Goldenstoechas, and Cassidony. This species, the Red-flowered, and the Sweet-scented with yellow flowers, are sufficiently hardy to live in the open air in mild winters, if placed in a' sheltered situation; but it is advisable to cover their roots with straw in frosty weather; and if very severe, they must be housed. The French usually call it l'immortelle jaune; but in Languedoc, sauveto. The Pearly-White Everlasting is a native of North America, where it is called Life-Everlasting, because its silvery leaves will long preserve their beauty unchanged. It grows in extreme profusion in uncultivated fields, glades, &c. and flowers from July to September. A decoction of the stalks and flowers is used to foment the limbs for pains and bruises. The Plantain-leaved is also a North Ame rican, and has white flowers. These two kinds will thrive in almost any soil or situation, and are easily increased by their roots, which may be transplanted in the autumn. There are many species from the Cape, requiring winter shelter, but not artificial heat: their flowers are white, purple, or yellow. The earth should be kept moderately moist for all the species. The Eastern-Everlasting, called Golden-Flower-Gentle, is one of the Cape kinds: it has been long cultivated in Portugal, where, in the winter season, the churches are adorned with its brilliant flowers. PERSONEÆ. FOX-GLOVE. DIGITALIS. DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. This plant is also called Finger-Flower; the shape of the flower resembling the finger of a glove; and Bell-Flower.-French, dogtier [finger-flower], gantlet; gants de notre dame.-Italian, guantelli; aralda. THE Common Fox-glove is an extremely handsome flower, varying in colour from a Roman-purple to a violetcolour, cream-colour, orange-tawney, blush-colour, or white. It has a poisonous quality, but in skilful hands becomes a useful medicine. This species is a native of Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and Great Britain; and flowers from June to August or September. The Iron-coloured Fox-glove is a native of Italy and Constantinople, and flowers from the beginning of June to the end of July. The seeds should be sown in autumn, about four in a pot seven or eight inches wide: in dry summer weather they should be watered every evening; but in the winter two or three times a week would be sufficient. The Canary Shrubby Fox-glove has yellow flowers, which begin to appear in May. The Madeira-Shrubby Foxglove is a very handsome plant, flowering in July and August. These two kinds must be sheltered in the winter, admitting the fresh air in mild weather. In the summer they should be placed abroad where they may enjoy the morning sun; and in dry weather be plentifully watered every evening: twice a week will suffice in winter. The seedlings, sown in the autumn, and kept in a room tolerably warm, will be large enough to be transplanted early in spring; when they should be placed separately in small pots, and after they have taken firm root, should be gradually accustomed to the open air. It is a pity this plant is poisonous, for it is extremely beautiful, particularly those kinds which are of a deep rose-colour. They are all speckled within the bell, which adds still more to their richness. Mrs. C. Smith invites the bee to "Explore the Fox-glove's freckled bell." Browne uses a similar epithet when he describes Pan as seeking gloves for his mistress; a curious conceit: "To keepe her slender fingers from the sunne, W. BROWNE. It is not one of his happiest passages; but he is a true poet, and deserves in particular the gratitude of the lover of nature. Cowley has the same conceit, but conceits are common with Cowley: "The Fox-glove on fair Flora's hand is worn, Lest while she gathers flowers she meet a thorn.” COWLEY, ON PLANTS. rican, and has white flowers. These two kinds will thrive in almost any soil or situation, and are easily increased by their roots, which may be transplanted in the autumn. There are many species from the Cape, requiring winter shelter, but not artificial heat: their flowers are white, purple, or yellow. The earth should be kept moderately moist for all the species. The Eastern-Everlasting, called Golden-Flower-Gentle, is one of the Cape kinds: it has been long cultivated in Portugal, where, in the winter season, the churches are adorned with its brilliant flowers. PERSONEE. FOX-GLOVE. DIGITALIS. DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. This plant is also called Finger-Flower; the shape of the flower resembling the finger of a glove; and Bell-Flower.-French, dogtier [finger-flower], gantlet; gants de notre dame.-Italian, guantelli; aralda. THE Common Fox-glove is an extremely handsome flower, varying in colour from a Roman-purple to a violetcolour, cream-colour, orange-tawney, blush-colour, or white. It has a poisonous quality, but in skilful hands becomes a useful medicine. This species is a native of Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and Great Britain; and flowers from June to August or September. The Iron-coloured Fox-glove is a native of Italy and Constantinople, and flowers from the beginning of June to the end of July. The seeds should be sown in autumn, about four in a pot seven or eight inches wide: in dry summer weather they should be watered every evening; but in the winter |