from the dwarf plants, where no preference exists on other accounts, and from semi-double flowers when double varieties are chiefly desired. Perhaps seeds obtained from those particular florets of the disk which have altered their form, may have a greater tendency than others to produce plants with double flowers. Sow in March, or earlier, on a heat of 55° or 56°; the young plants to be pricked out, if necessary, in pots, and kept in a moderate temperature, say 50° or 55°, till the end of April. Now plant out where they are to remain, covering each plant at night with an empty pot for some weeks, to avoid injury from frost. If in a compartment by themselves, plant in rows three feet wide, and at two feet distance in the row. Seedlings thus treated will blow in July, and continue in perfection till the autumn; but the first frost takes the same effect on the Dahlia as it does on the potato and kidney-bean. A blow may be prolonged by planting in large pots, and removing early in autumn to the green-house."

Dahlias should be planted in open situations, and in a rich loamy soil, or in a mixture of vegetable mould and white sand, as a dry soil suits these plants better than a retentive or wet earth.

The full grown roots of Dahlias should be planted early in April, on the spots where they are to flower; and when the season is cold or frosty,

a little litter or an empty flower-pot should be placed over the roots. To procure an early flowering of these plants, they should be planted in large pots, and kept in frames or a green-house until May, when they may be turned out into the quarters of the garden. The roots of the Dahlia should be taken out of the ground when the frost has affected the foliage and branches; and they are best preserved by placing them in casks or boxes, and then covering them with sand, so that they may not become so dry as to injure the vegetating principle; but they must by no means be kept moist these boxes or casks may be placed in any out-house or building that will protect them securely from frost.

When the roots are not taken out of the earth, the stalks should be cut off when the frost has rendered them unsightly, and a quantity of litter placed over them for protection.

The Dahlias most admired are those which throw out their branches like a shrub, and are prolific of flowers having short peduncles: the blossoms should be clear and distinct in colour and fully expanded. They are unfit for the small parterre, from the height and size which they generally acquire; and they have the best appearance when planted on lawns forming clumps distinct from any other plant. These clumps may consist

of from five to twenty plants each, according to the size of the grounds; and when the roots are taken up, the spot may be re-turfed or filled with earlyflowering bulbs.

The Dahlia is better calculated to ornament large grounds than to embellish small gardens, since its bold and brilliant corollas fit it for the former situation, whilst its great size and want of perfume are objections to its admission into the small garden; and notwithstanding the vivid colours which these flowers present, and the high estimation they are now held in, we do not consider it a flower that is likely to hold a long reign in the realms of fashion.

The roots of these plants are used as an aliment by the Mexicans, but they are not yet become agreeable to European palates.

The name of Dahlia was bestowed on this plant in honour of Andrew Dahl, a Swedish botanist.

Only two species of these plants are yet known to us, and doubts are entertained whether these may be considered sufficiently distinct to be so divided, since they are separated by wavering marks. The Frustranea, or Barren-rayed, appears however to be a more slender plant, and has nar rower foliage and smaller flowers than the Superflua, or Fertile-rayed Dahlia.

In examining the florets of the latter kind of

Dahlia, it will be seen that the filaments of the stamens are elastic, which, by extension, admit of the anther being protruded above the floret by the impulse of the stigmas from within; as, charged with pollen, they advance to their station through its five-valved membrane, which opposes their outlet at the summit, withdrawing the same to its place when these have passed. Thus, in flowers of the same class and order, we find novelty in the action of their minute parts that cannot fail to inspire the inspector with delight and admiration.

VOL. II.

R

AFRICAN MARYGOLD. Tagetes Erecta. FRENCH MARYGOLD. Tagetes Patula.

Natural Order Composite Oppositifolia. Corymbiferæ, Juss. A Genus of the Syngenesia Polygamia Superflua Class.

As wands of divination downward draw,

And point to beds where sov'reign gold doth grow.

DRYDEN.

THE generic name of these Mexican flowers is said to have been derived from Tages, a grandson of Jupiter, who first taught the science of augury and divination, to the twelve nations of the Etrurians, who from hence became so celebrated for their pretended knowledge of omens and incantations. But as Tages could not have taught the use of plants peculiar to lands which the gods themselves had not visited, we think the name badly adapted, unless the Spaniards pretend that they were instructed through the arts of Tages to seek for the precious metal in fields covered with these golden flowers; and this will be as readily believed as that the species call French Marygolds became first stained and marked with a dark red