cler point, reflexccl when the flower is expanded, but becoming
erect when the bloom is dropped oif. Corolla deeply
5-cleft, of a bright rosy pink, with a white circle a little
above the base, which is surrounded hy a handsome purple
ring ; tube short, cylindrical : limb deeply 5-cleft, the segments
elliptically oblong, acute, reflexed, narrowing a little
towards the base. Stamens 5, inserted in the end of the tube,
opposite to the segments : Jilaments short, succulent, attached
to the base of the anthers : anthers linear, acute, two-celled,
bursting inwards, jiressed close to each other, so as to appear
like a sharp point. Ovarium green, smooth, nearly cylindrical,
many-seeded. Style smooth, slender, longer than the
stamens. Stigma a small, simple head.
For the opportunity of giving a figure of this elegant and
superb variety, we are obliged to Messrs. J. Wood and Son,
Nurserymen, of Huntingdon, who inform us that they raised
it from the seeds of the common D. Mhadia, and at the same
time another variety, which they have named gigcmtea ; had
they not assured us that it was raised from seeds of the common
sort, we should have felt inclined to have published it
as a distinct species, from the broad ovate, instead of linear
segments to the flower, and the sinuate edges of the leaves;
the -wanety gigcmtea is described to us as producing a flower-
stern three feet high, furnished with innumerable lilac-
coloured flowers ; they also inform us that they have now a
a stock of each for sale, of stout blooming plants, the present
variety at ten shillings and sixpence each, and the gigantic
variety at seven shillings and sixpence; so that by applying
to Messrs. Wood, a supply of them may be obtained : it certainly
is one of the finest things we have seen for some
time, and ought to be in every collection of hardy herbaceous
plants, thriving well in a rich light soil, and increasing by
offsets from the root.
According to Linnæus the generic name is derived from
^£oe, deity, and SwStKa, twelve, twelve deities, the flowers being
supposed to bear a resemblance to a deity.
1. Calyx. 2. Tube of the Corolla, divested of the segments, to show the insertion of
the five Stamens. 3. Ovarium, terminated hy the slender Style, and minute capitate
Stigma.
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