DRACUNCULUS virginianus latifolius, petalis florum longissimis purpurascentibus. Moris.  Hist. 3. p. 42. f. 6. t. 9. f. 1.

[Illustration:  No 2]

This species differs from the other plants of the genus, in the colour of its outermost petals, which are long, narrow, purple, and pendulous, and not unaptly resemble small pieces of red tape.  Notwithstanding it is a native of the warm climates Carolina and Virginia, it succeeds very well with us in an open border:  but, as Mr. MILLER very justly observes, it will always be prudent to shelter two or three plants under a common hot-bed frame in winter, to preserve the kind, because in very severe winters, those in the open air are sometimes killed.  It flowers in July.  As it rarely ripens its seeds with us, the only mode of propagating it, is by parting the roots; but in that way the plant does not admit of much increase.

[3]

Helleborus hyemalis.  Winter Hellebore, or Aconite.

Class and Order.

Polyandria Polygynia[A].

Generic Character.

Calyx 0.  Petala 5 sive plura.  Nectaria bilabiata, tubulata.  Capsulae polyspermae erectiusculae.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

HELLEBORUS hyemalis flore folio infidente. Linn.  Syst.  Vegetab. p. 431. Sp.  Pl. p. 783.

ACONITUM unifolium bulbosum. Bauh.  Pin. 183.

The Winter’s Wolfesbane. Park.  Parad. p. 214.

[Illustration:  No 3]

Grows wild in Lombardy, Italy, and Austria, affects mountainous situations, flowers with us in February, and hence is liable to be cut off by severe frosts.  “Is propagated by offsets, which the roots send out in plenty.  These roots may be taken up and transplanted any time after their leaves decay, which is generally by the beginning of June till October, when they will begin to put out new fibres; but as the roots are small and nearly the colour of the ground, so if care is not taken to search for them, many of the roots will be left in the ground.  These roots should be planted in small clusters, otherwise they will not make a good appearance, for single flowers scattered about the borders of these small kinds are scarce seen at a distance; but when these and the Snowdrops are alternately planted in bunches, they will have a good effect, as they flower at the same time, and are much of a size.” Millers Gard.  Dict.

[Footnote A:  Most of the Hellebores vary greatly in the number of their pistils, which in general are too few to justify the placing those plants in the order Polygynia.]

[4]

Cyclamen Coum.  Round-leav’d Cyclamen.

Class and Order.

Pentandria Monogynia.

Generic Character.

Corolla rotata, reflexa, tubo brevissimo fauce prominente.  Bacca tecta capsula.