MICHAELMAS DAISY. Aster Tradescanti.

Natural Order Compositi Radiati. Corymbiferæ, Juss. A Genus of the Syngenesia Polygamia Superflua Class.

THIS North American Star-wort first assisted to illuminate the British parterre about the year 1633: it having been brought direct from Virginia by John Tradescant, jun., who visited the New World for the express purpose of collecting plants, his father having founded a garden of the first consequence in those days at Lambeth, and being also appointed gardener to King Charles the First. Mr. Tradescant collected the first considerable museum of Natural History ever formed in this country, and we find that it was much frequented by the people of fashion and consequence of his day. Botanists have named this species Aster Tradescanti, in compliment to his memory; but it has obtained the more familiar name of Michaelmas Daisy, from its flowering about that season of the year, and the corollas being radiated and nearly of the size of the common Daisy.

This rustic flower adds considerably to the embellishment of the autumnal garden, for its hardy nature suits it to every soil and situation, and when left undisturbed for a few years, it sends up such numerous branches that it bears more the appearance of a large shrub than a flowering herb: on this account it is admirably adapted to mix in plantations of evergreen shrubs, where its lilac flowers add as much gaiety in the months of October and November, as the early-flowering shrubs contribute towards the beautifying of the spring assemblage.

Of the utility of this American Aster we as yet know nothing further than that it affords the bees a late and almost a last resource; and we may conclude that these flowers contain a considerable quantity of honey, since we have frequently seen the corollas so thickly covered with these emblems of industry, that the flowers seemed to have wings attached to their petals. Thus the bees have their season for collecting of sweets considerably lengthened by the introduction of this and other plants of the Columbian fields; whilst we, by retaining the smiles of Flora on our parterres, lessen the dreariness of the winter months-for previous to the introduction of exotic plants, our floral season ended much earlier than at present: October and November now present us with a variety of gay flowers, formerly

All green was vanish'd, save of Pine and Yew,
That still display'd their melancholy hue;

Save the green Holly, with its berries red,

And the green Moss, that o'er the gravel spread.

The gloom of heavy masses of dark evergreens may be lessened by clumps of the Michaelmas Daisies; and they are not the less desirable from their requiring no further care than that of once planting them, and one large root may be divided into so many plants, that the expense of embellishing a large plantation with these flowers is not more than the price of a single root of some plants of less beauty, but later introduction.

The Common Michaelmas Daisy grows from three to five feet in height, and is therefore not calculated for the small flower-garden, excepting to form a shelter and background to more tender autumnal flowers. The dwarf variety of this plant produces smaller flowers, which are of a darker purple; this latter kind contrasts well with the Golden Rod, and may be planted amongst shrubs with a variegated foliage.

We present these flowers as the happy emblem of cheerfulness in old age, since like that blessing it contributes towards the enlivening of all who compose its circle.

VOL. II.

S

WINTER CHERRY. Physalis Alkekengi.

Natural Order Lurida. Solaneæ, Juss. A Genus of the Pentandria Monogynia Class.

THE Common Winter Cherry, which we occasionally meet with in some obscure part of our gardens, was formerly held in great repute for its medicinal properties, but in modern practice it is totally disregarded, and is only allowed the honour of associating with cultivated plants, from its producing an ornamental berry similar to the cherry in its appearance, and from whence the familiar name is derived. It is the Qusais, Physalis, of Dioscorides, from Quoa, a bladder, on account of the calyx being curiously inflated.

This exotic plant has been of long standing in our gardens; the Kew Catalogue states as early as 1548, and Dr. Turner mentions it as being common in 1564. This author writes on it under the Arabian name of Alkakinge, from whence the specific title of Alkekengi; he also calls it Halicacabum vulgare, and Phissalis. Pliny calls it Halicacabum, and Vesicatorium, in allusion to the bladder-shape of the calyx; or as some old medical writers ima

gined from its supposed virtues against the diseases of the bladder, for which purpose it was hghly extolled by the Arabian physicians.

The Winter Cherry appears to have been much more common in the time of Gerard than at present, as he observes, "The Redde Winter Cherrie groweth vpon olde broken wals, about the borders of fieldes, and in moist shadowie places, and in most gardens, where some conserue it for the beautie of the berries, and others for the great and woorthy vertues thereof."

This plant grows naturally in many parts of the South of Europe, Germany, China, and CochinChina. The German peasants eat the berries by handfuls, and they are frequently brought to table in Spain and Switzerland; they have an acidulous and not unpleasant taste, followed by a slight bitterness. They are esteemed detergent and aperient, but are principally recommended as a diuretic, which is thought to remove obstructions occasioned by gravel or mucus.

At present the berries are seldom used with us, excepting to mingle in bouquets of dried flowers to ornament the chimney-pieces of cottage parlours.

This species of Physalis is easily propagated by parting the roots after the stalks are decayed.