the flowers expansion, then becoming erect or nearly
so, afterwards reflexed. Calyx of 5 sepals, very hairy;
the two outer ones very small, linear, obtuse: the three
inner ones ovate, concave, scarcely acute, strongly nerved,
membranaceous between the nerves. Flowers double,
of a dark purplish red, consisting of many petals: outer
petals 5 or 6, obcordate, surrounding the inner ones,
that are smaller, and of various forms, and of a lighter
purple. Stamens numerous, intermixed with the small
petals. Ovarium and Style generally imperfect, their
place frequently supplied by small sepal-like leafy appendages.
Our drawing of this handsome double variety was
made from a plant at the Nursery of Mr. J. Lee, at
Hammersmith, where it is cultivated under the name
of Lady Gardner’s variety: it is a handsome plant for
the decorating of rock-work, or to be grown in a small
pot, and will continue to flower nearly all the Summer,
growing freely in any light sandy soil; and young cuttings,
planted under hand-glasses in August, strike root
readily, and soon make nice young plants; some of
them should be preserved in frames through the Winter,
as they are sometimes injured by severe frost.