[74]
ANTIRRHINUM TRISTE. MELANCHOLY OR
BLACK-FLOWER’D TOAD-FLAX.
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Claſs and Order.
Didynamia Angiospermia.
Generic Character.
Receives its name of trifle from the ſombre appearance of its flowers; but this muſt be underſtood when placed at ſome little diſtance, for, on a near view, the principal colour of the bloſſoms is a fine rich brown, inclined to purple.
Is a native of Spain, and of courſe a green-houſe plant with us, but it muſt not be too tenderly treated, as it loſes much of its beauty when drawn up, it ſhould therefore be kept out of doors when the ſeaſon will admit, as it only requires ſhelter from ſevere froſt, and that a common hot-bed frame will in general ſufficiently afford it.
It flowers during moſt of the ſummer months; as it rarely or never ripens its feeds with us, the uſual mode of propagating it, is by cuttings, which ſtrike readily enough in the common way.
Miller relates that it was firſt introduced into this country by Sir Charles Wager, from Gibraltar ſeeds.
