CRIMSON MONARDA.

Monarda Fistulosa.

Natural Order Verticillatæ. Labiata, Juss. A Genus of the Diandria Monogynia Class.

WE are indebted to the New World for all the species of this genus of plants, of which we now possess seven. It is named Monarda from Nic. Monarda, or Monardes, a physician of Seville, who flourished in the sixteenth century.

We are not able to ascertain whether this plant was known in Spain so early as the sixteenth century; but the Fistulosa, with purple flowers, was the first species known in England, and was introduced in the year 1656, by Mr. John Tradescant, jun.; whether he obtained it direct from Canada, where it is a native, we are uncertain. The Crimson-flowered Monarda is a variety of the Fistulosa, and was first obtained from the Dutch florists by Messrs. Grimwood and Co., of Kensington, about the year 1790. This beautiful plant recommends itself to our notice by the fragrance of its foliage, as well as by its tufts of beautiful crimson flowers, which crown every branch, from the month of June to the end of August.

The stalks and foliage of this plant resemble that of mint, excepting that the centre rib of the leaves is of a fine crimson, and the circle of leaves which supports the flowers are beautifully shaded with a colour between that of the amethyst stone and the garnet.

This plant, which we particularly recommend to be placed in the foreground of the shrubbery, on account of the beautiful contrast which its rich dyes make with the green foliage of the laurel and other shrubs, loves a soft loamy soil, not too much exposed to the meridian sun. It is easily propagated by seed, which should be sown in the autumn, and it is also increased by parting the roots like mint or balm; if the branches are pegged down in the manner of layers, it will also take root. It is desirable not to let young plants flower the first year, as by cutting down the flowering stalks the roots become greatly strengthened for succeeding seasons.

The Crimson Monarda will keep fresh for a great length of time in water, ornamenting the vase and perfuming the apartment by a refreshing odour; we therefore give it as the emblem of steady virtue.

The Scarlet Monarda, or Oswego Tea, Monarda Didyma, was introduced from North America by Mr. Peter Collinson, in the year 1744. This

plant has a most refreshing fragrance, and many persons prefer the infusion of the leaves to the tea of China. It is the common beverage of many families of Oswego, a town in New York; and hence it is called the Oswego Tea.

BELL-FLOWER. Campanula.

Natural Order Campanacea. Campanulacea, Juss. A Genus of the Pentandria Monogynia Class.

The humming bees, that hunt the golden dew,

In summer's heat on tops of flowers feed,

And creep within their Bells to suck the balmy seed.
DRYDEN.

THE name of Campanula, which signifies a little Bell, has been given to this numerous family of plants, from the resemblance which the corollas bear to that instrument; and were we to describe all the species, sub-species, varieties, and sub-varieties of the Campanula, we should have to ring nearly as many changes as are performed on the celebrated bells of Saint Martin's tower. But as these changes might not be so agreeable to our readers as the sound of the merry bells were to the ears of Nell Gwynn, we shall merely touch upon those Campanulas that accord best with the harmony of the garden, regretting at the same time that the poets have not chimed either on the Coventry or the Canterburry bells, so as to have enlivened our passages in the history of these flowers. Milton slightly touches on the Bell-flower in his poem "On the

Death of Damon;" and as every touch of our sublime poet sounds harmoniously to the ear, we shall give the lines which he puts into the mouth of Thyrsis:

How often have I said, (but thou hadst found
Ere then thy dark cold lodgment under ground,)

There thou shalt cull me Simples, and shalt teach
Thy friend the name and healing pow'rs of each,
From the tall Blue-Bell to the dwarfish weed,
What the dry land, and what the marshes breed ;
For all their kinds alike to thee are known,
And the whole art of Galen is thy own.
Ah, perish Galen's art, and wither'd be

The useless herbs that gave not health to thee!

To resume our history, according to the rules of ringing, we must commence with the minor Campanula,—an elegant little plant, which suspends its graceful Bells on such slender supports that they bend with the slightest touch of a fly, and shake with the zephyr's gentlest breath.

THE PEACH-LEAVED BELL-FLOWER, Campanula Persicifolia,

Which is frequently called the Paper-Flower, from the delicate yet stiff texture of the corollas, ranks amongst the most ancient ornaments of our parterres. Gerard says, in 1597, "It is planted in