e been by LINNAEUS, for they differ so much that no student
would consider the present plant as belonging to the same genus with the
Hare-bell.

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 Gladio