dentatis, petalis inferis linearibus acutis. _Ait. Hort. Kew. p.
427._
GERANIUM _cordifolium_. _Cavan. Diss. p. 240. t. 117. f. 3._
[Illustration: No 165]
Our readers are here presented with the figure of another Geranium of
modern introduction, not enumerated by LINNAEUS or MILLER, and which in
point of beauty, duration of flowering, and facility of culture, is
equal to most.
It was introduced to the Royal Garden, at Kew, from the Cape, by Mr.
MASSON, in 1774.
There are several varieties of it, but the one here figured is the most
beautiful.
It strikes readily from cuttings, by which it is usually propagated.
Requires the same treatment as the more common Geraniums, and
flowers, from March to July.
[166]
CHEIRANTHUS MARITIMUS. MEDITERRANEAN STOCK.
_Class and Order._
TETRADYNAMIA SILIQUOSA.
_Generic Character._
_Germen_ utrinque denticulo glandulato. _Cal._ clausus: foliolis duobus
basi gibbis. _Semina_ plana.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
CHEIRANTHUS _maritimus_ foliis ellipticis obtusis nudis scabriusculis,
caule diffuso scabro. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. p. 597._ _Mantiss. p.
568._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. v. 2. p. 395._
LEUCOJUM minus flore violaceo. _Barr. Ic. 1127._
[Illustration: No 166]
LINNAEUS has described this plant minutely in his _Mantissa
Plant_, so that no doubt remains of its being his _maritimus_.
With us, it has been customary for Gardeners and Nurserymen to
distinguish this species by the name of Virginia Stock, a name highly
improper, as it is found to be a native of the Mediterranean coast.
The blossoms which this plant first puts forth are of a lively red, in a
few days they become of a blueish purple colour; to this variety of hues
the plant owes its chief beauty.
Being of humble growth, and producing a profusion of bloom, which is of
long duration, it is frequently used as an edging to borders, and
sometimes sown in little patches with other annuals; in whatever way
used, it contributes greatly to enliven the borders of the
flower-garden.
It is one of those annuals whose seeds should be sown in the autumn, as
it thereby comes much forwarder into bloom, and its blossoms are more
lively than those arising from seeds sown in the spring; by varying the
time of sowing, it may be had to flower in spring, summer, and autumn.
Small pots of it in bloom have a pretty appearance, and may be used to
decorate the windows of those w
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