_Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Petala_ unguibus connexa. _Caps._ angulis dehiscens, 5-gona. _Specific Character and Synonyms._ OXALIS _versicolor_ caule erecto hirto, pedunculis unifloris, foliis ternatis: foliolis linearibus callosis. _Linn. Syst. Veg. ed. 14. Murr. p. 114. p. 434._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. v. 2. p. 114._ OXYS Africana foliis tenuissimis, flore amplo versicolore. _Pluk. Amalth. 169. t. 434. f. 5._ OXYS Africana foliis tenuissimis in summitate caulis. _Raii Suppl. 598._ [Illustration: No 155] The _Oxalis-versicolor_ is considered as one of the most beautiful of the many species cultivated in gardens; and, though well known to, and described by several of the older Botanists, has graced our collections but a few years, being introduced to the Royal Garden at Kew, from the Cape (where, as well as in Ethiopia, it grows spontaneously) by Mr. MASSON, in the Year 1774. Many of this genus flower early in the spring, the season in which this species also puts forth its blossoms, but by dexterous management it may be made to flower during most of the year; and this is effected by placing the pea-like tubera or knobs which the root sends forth, and by which the plant is propagated, in pots filled with loam and bog-earth at stated distant periods. Like most of the Cape plants, it is well adapted to the greenhouse, and succeeds best when placed on a front shelf of the house, where it can have plenty of light and air; some keep it in the stove, but there the plant is drawn up, and the flowers lose a part of their brilliancy: in no situation do they ever expand but when the sun shines on them; this is the less to be regretted, as they are most beautiful when closed. [156] COREOPSIS VERTICILLATA. WHORLED COREOPSIS. _Class and Order._ SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA FRUSTRANEA. _Generic Character._ _Receptaculum_ paleaceum. _Pappus_ bicornis. _Calyx_ erectus, polyphyllus, basi radiis patentibus cinctus. _Specific Character and Synonyms._ COREOPSIS _verticillata_ foliis decomposito-linearibus. _Linn. Syst. Veg. ed. 14. Murr. p. 782._ COREOPSIS foliis verticillatis linearibus multifidis. _Gronov. Fl. Virgin. p. 131._ DELPHINII vel mei foliis planta ad nodos positis caule singulari. _Clayt. n. 308._ [Illustration: No 156] The _Coreopsis verticillata_ is a hardy, perennial, herbaceous plant, a native of North-America; producing its blossoms, which are uncommonly shewy, from July to October, and is readily propagated by parting its roots in Autumn. It grows to a great height, and is therefore rather adapted to the shrubbery than the flower-garden. CLAYTON remarks, that the petals, though of a yellow colour, are used by the inhabitants to dye cloth red. [157] HYACINTHUS BOTRYOIDES. GRAPE HYACINTH. _Class and Order._ HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. _Generic Character._ _Cor._ campanulata: _Pori_ 3 melliferi germinis. _Specific Character and Synonyms._