The Botanical Magazine, Vol. 3 | Page 2

having propagated it by parting its roots, but it may be raised more successfully from seed.

[76]
EPILOBIUM ANGUSTISSIMUM. NARROWEST LEAV'D WILLOW-HERB.
Class and Order.
OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
Generic Character.
Cal. 4-fidus. Petala 4. Caps. oblonga, infera. Sem. papposa.
Specific Character and Synonyms.
EPILOBIUM angustifolium, foliis sparsis linearibus obsolete denticulatis aveniis, petalis ?qualibus integerrimis, Ait. Hort. Kew. 2. p. 5.
EPILOBIUM angustifolium, var. Lin. Sp. Pl.
EPILOBIUM flore difformi, foliis linearibus. _Hall, Hist. Helv. p. 427. n. 1001._
[Illustration: No 76]
Though the Epilobium here figured has not been many years introduced into this country, it is a plant which has long been well known, and described.
LINN?US makes it a variety only of the _Epilobium angustifolium_; HALLER, a distinct species, and in our opinion, most justly.
Those who have cultivated the Epilobium angustifolium have cause to know that it increases prodigiously by its creeping roots. The present plant, so far as we have been able to determine from cultivating it several years, in our Garden, Lambeth-Marsh, has not shewn the least disposition to increase in the same way, nor have any seedlings arisen from the seeds which it has spontaneously scattered: we have, indeed, found it a plant rather difficult to propagate, yet it is highly probable that at a greater distance from London, and in a more favourable soil, its roots, though not of the creeping kind, may admit of a greater increase, and its seeds be more prolific.
It is a native of the Alps of Switzerland, from whence it is frequently dislodged, and carried into the plains by the impetuosity of torrents.
It flowers with us in July and August, and being a hardy perennial, and perhaps the most elegant species of the genus, appears to us highly deserving a place in the gardens of the curious.

[77]
CENTAUREA MONTANA. GREATER BLUE-BOTTLE.
Class and Order.
SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA FRUSTRANEA.
Generic Character.
Receptaculum setosum. Pappus simplex. Coroll? radii infundibuliformes, longiores, irregulares.
Specific Character and Synonyms.
CENTAUREA montana calycibus serratis, foliis lanceolatis decurrentibus caule simplicissimo. Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p. 785.
CYANUS montanus latifolius S. Verbasculum cyanoides. Bauh. Pin. 273.
CYANUS major. Lobel. icon. 548.
[Illustration: No 77]
It has been suggested by some of our readers, that too many common plants, like the present, are figured in this work. We wish it to be understood, that the professed design of the Botanical Magazine is to exhibit representations of such. We are desirous of putting it in the power of all who cultivate or amuse themselves with plants, to become scientifically acquainted with them, as far as our labours extend; and we deem it of more consequence, that they should be able to ascertain such as are to be found in every garden, than such as they may never have an opportunity of seeing. On viewing the representations of objects of this sort, a desire of seeing the original is naturally excited, and the pleasure is greatly enhanced by having it in our power to possess it. But, while we are desirous of thus creating Botanists, we are no less anxious to gratify the wishes of those already such; and we believe, from a perusal of the Magazine, it will appear that one-third of the plants figured, have some pretensions to novelty.
The Centaurea montana is a native of the German Alps, flowers during the greatest part of the summer, is a hardy perennial, and will grow in any soil or situation, some will think too readily.

[78]
NARCISSUS ODORUS. SWEET-SCENTED, OR GREAT JONQUIL.
Class and Order.
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
Generic Character.
Petala 6-?qualia. Nectario infundibuliformi, 1-phyllo. Stamina intra nectarium.
Specific Character and Synonyms.
NARCISSUS odorus spatha sub-biflora, nectario campanulato sexfido l?vi dimidio petalis breviore, foliis semicylindricis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p. 317._
NARCISSUS angustifolius, five juncifolius maximus amplo calice.
The Great Jonquilia with the large flower or cup. _Park Parad. p. 89. fig. 5._
[Illustration: No 78]
We shall be thought, perhaps, too partial to this tribe of plants, this being the fifth species now figured; but it should be remembered, that as the spring does not afford that variety of flowers which the summer does, we are more limited in our choice; the flowers of this delightful season have also greater claims to our notice, they present themselves with double charms.
This species, which, as its name implies, possesses more fragrance than many of the others, is a native of the South of Europe, flowers in the open border in April, is a hardy-perennial, thriving in almost any soil or situation, but succeeds best in a loamy soil and eastern exposure. Varies with double flowers, in which slate it is often used for forcing.
No notice is taken of this species by MILLER, except as a variety of the N. Jonquilla, from which it differs toto calo.

[79]
LOTUS JACOB?US. BLACK-FLOWER'D LOTUS.
Class and Order.
DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA.
Generic Character.
Legumen cylindricum strictum. Al? sursum longitudinaliter conniventes. Cal. tubulosus.
Specific Character and Synonyms.
LOTUS Jacob?us leguminibus subternatis, caule herbaceo erecto, foliolis linearibus. Lin. Syst. Veg. 601.
LOTUS angustifolia, flore luteo purpurascente, inful? S. Jacobi. _Comm. hort. 2. p. 165. t. 83._
[Illustration: No 79]
This species