others having almost globular flowers with the Hyacinths. TOURNEFORT,
struck with the difference of their appearance, made a distinct genus of
them under the name of _Muscari_, in which he is followed by MILLER, and
should have been by LINNÆUS, for they differ so much that no student
would consider the present plant as belonging to the same genus with the
Hare-bell.

This species grows wild in the corn-fields of Spain, Portugal, and some
parts of Germany, and flowers in May and June.

It is distinguished more by its singularity than beauty, the flowers on
the summit of the stalk differing widely in colour from the others, and
being mostly barren: PARKINSON says, "the whole stalke with the
flowers upon it, doth somewhat resemble a long Purse tassell, and
thereupon divers Gentlewomen have so named it."

It is a hardy bulbous plant, growing readily in most soils and
situations, and usually propagated by offsets.




[134]

ADONIS VERNALIS.

_Class and Order._

POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA.