This species grows wild in the corn-fields of Spain, Portugal, and some parts of Germany, and flowers in May and June.

It is distinguished more by its singularity than beauty, the flowers on the summit of the stalk differing widely in colour from the others, and being mostly barren:  PARKINSON says, “the whole stalke with the flowers upon it, doth somewhat resemble a long Purse tassell, and thereupon divers Gentlewomen have so named it.”

It is a hardy bulbous plant, growing readily in most soils and situations, and usually propagated by offsets.

[134]

ADONIS VERNALIS.

Class and Order.

POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA.

Generic Character.

Cal. 5-phyllus. Petala quinis plura absque nectario. Sem. nuda.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

ADONIS vernalis flore dodecapetalo, fructu ovato. Linn.  Syst. 
      Vegetab. ed.  Murr. p. 514. Ait.  Hort.  Kew.  Vol. 2. p. 264.

HELLEBORUS niger tenuifolius, Buphthalmi flore. Bauh.  Pin. 186.

BUPHTHALMUM Dodon.  Pempt. 261.

HELLEBORUS niger ferulaceus sive Buphthalmum.  The great Ox-eye, or the
      great yellow Anemone. Parkins.  Parad. p. 291. f. 6.

[Illustration:  No 134]

Of this plant LINNAEUS makes two species, viz. the vernalis and appennina, differing in their specific character merely in the number of their petals, which are found to vary from situation and culture; as the first name taken from its time of flowering is the most expressive, we have followed Mr. MILLER and Mr. AITON in adopting it.

It is an old inhabitant of the English gardens, and a most desirable one, as it flowers in the spring; produces fine shewy blossoms, which expand wide when exposed to the sun, is hardy and readily cultivated.

Grows wild on the mountainous pastures of some parts of Germany.

It may be increased by parting its roots in Autumn or Spring, or by seed.  MILLER recommends the latter mode.

[135]

GLADIOLUS CARDINALIS.  SUPERB GLADIOLUS; or, CORN-FLAG.

Class and Order.

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

Generic Character.

Corolla 6-partita, irregularis, inaequalis, Stigmata 3.

Specific Character.

GLADIOLUS cardinalis corollae erectae limbo campanulato, floribus
      secundis, scapo multifloro, foliis ensiformibus multinerviis.

[Illustration:  No 135]

This new species of Gladiolus, of whose magnificence our figure can exhibit but an imperfect idea, was introduced into this country from Holland, a few years since, by Mr. GRAFFER, at present Gardener to the King of Naples; and first flowered with Messrs. LEWIS and MACKIE, Nurserymen, at Kingsland; a very strong plant of it flowered also this summer at Messrs. GRIMWOODS and Co. which divided at top into three branches, from one of which our figure was drawn.