The several classes of flowering plants are divided into PERENNIAL, BIENNIAL, and ANNUAL.
The HERON'S BILL, Erodium; the STORK'S BILL, Pelargonium; and the CRANE'S BILL, Geranium; all popularly known under the common designation of Geranium, which gives name to the family, are well known, and are favorite plants, of which but few of the numerous varieties are found in this country.
Of the first of these there are about five and twenty fixed species, besides a vast number of varieties; of which there are here found only the following:--
The _Flesh-colored Heron's bill_, E. incarnatum, is a pretty plant of about six inches high, flowering in the hot weather, with flesh-colored blossoms, but apt to become rather straggling.
Of the hundred and ninety species of the second class, independently of their varieties, there are few indeed that have found their way here, only thirteen, most of which are but rarely met with.
The _Rose-colored Stork's bill_, P. roseum, is tuberous rooted, and in April yields pretty pink flowers.
The _Brick-colored Stork's bill_, P. lateritium, affords red flowers in March and April.
The _Botany Bay Stork's bill_, P. Australe, is rare, but may be made to give a pretty red flower in March.
The _Common horse-shoe Stork's bill_, P. zonale, is often seen, and yields its scarlet blossoms freely in April.
The _Scarlet-flowered Stork's bill_, P. inquinans, affords a very fine flower towards the latter end of the cold weather, and approaching to the hot; it requires protection from the rains, as it is naturally of a succulent nature, and will rot at the joints if the roots become at all sodden: many people lay the pots down on their sides to prevent this, which is tolerably successful to their preservation.
The _Sweet-Scented Stork's bill_, P. odoratissimum, with pink flowers, but it does not blossom freely, and the branches are apt to grow long and straggling.
The _Cut-leaved Stork's bill_, P. incisum, has small flowers, the petals being long and thin, and the flowers which appear in April are white, marked with pink.
The _Ivy-leaved Stork's bill_, P. lateripes, has not been known to yield flowers in this country.
The _Rose-scented Stork's bill_, P. capitatum, the odour of the leaves is very pleasant, but it is very difficult to force into blossom.