[1928] The Narcissus poeticus of Linnæus. Pliny gives the origin of its name in c. 75 of this Book.
[1929] Though supported by Theophrastus, this assertion is quite erroneous. In France, even, Fée says, the Narcissus poeticus blossoms at the end of April, and sooner, probably, in the climates of Greece and Italy.
[1930] See B. xviii. c. [76]. It is just possible that Pliny and Theophrastus may be speaking of the Narcissus scrotinus of Linnæus, which is found in great abundance in the southern provinces of Naples, and is undoubtedly the flower alluded to by Virgil in the words, “Nec sera comantem Narcissum,” Georg. iv. ll. 122, 123.
[1931] Fée remarks, that the extravagant proceeding here described by Pliny with a seriousness that is perfectly ridiculous, does not merit any discussion.
[1932] When detached from the bulb, the stem of the lily will infallibly die.
[1933] “Nudantibus se nodulis.” There are no such knots in the lily, as Fée remarks.
[1934] The Viola odorata of Linnæus.
[1935] The Greek name.
[1936] “Ianthina vestis,” violet-coloured.
[1937] Desfontaines identifies this with the Cheiranthus Cheiri; but Fée says that there is little doubt that it belongs to the Viola tricolor herbensis (pansy, or heart’s-ease), in the petals of which the yellow predominates, and the type of which is the field violet, or Viola arvensis, the flowers of which are extremely small, and entirely yellow.