CELOSIA, COCKS-COMB: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the pentandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 54th order, Miscellanea. The calyx is triphyllous; the corolla is five-petalled in appearance; the lamina are conjoined at the base to the plaited nectarium; the capsule gaping horizontally. There are eight species, of which the most worthy of notice is the crisata, or common cockscomb, so called on account of its crested head of flowers, resembling a cock's comb; of these there are a great variety of species. The principal colours of their flowers are red, purple, yellow, and white; but there are some whole heads are variegated with two or three colours. The heads are sometimes divided like a plume of feathers, and are of a beautiful scarlet colour. These plants are very tender exotics, and require a great deal of care to cultivate them in this country. Three hotbeds must be prepared; a small one in March, on which to raise the plants an inch or two in height; a second in April, of larger dimensions, in which to transplant them when proper; and a third in May for a large frame, to receive them transplanted into pots, to remain till the end of June or beginning of July to grow to full size: all of which hotbeds must be covered with frames and glasses, and have five or six inches depth of fine rich light earth for the reception of the seed and plants; and in the second and third hot-bed, the frames must occasionally be raised or augmented, according as the plants shall rise in height.