(of a privative, and sequens to wither, because the flower of this plant when cropped does not soon wither.) AMARANTH, OF FLOWER-GENTLE; a genus of the pentandra order belonging to the monocota class of plants.

Species. Of this genus, Linnaeus enumerates 19 species; the most remarkable of which are the following. 1. The tricolor, or three-colored amaranthus. This has been long cultivated in gardens, on account of the beauty of its variegated leaves, which are of three colours, green, yellow, and red; and very elegantly mixed. When the plants are in full vigour, the leaves are large, and closely set from the bottom to the top of the stalks, and the branches form a sort of pyramid; so that there is not a more beautiful plant than this, when it is in full lustre. 2. The melancholicus, bicolor, or two-coloured amaranthus. This greatly resembles the former in its manner of growth; but the leaves have only two colours, which are an obscure purple, and a bright crimson. These are so blended as to set off each other, and, when the plants are vigorous, make a fine appearance. 3. The triflitis, with oval heart-shaped leaves. This has very little beauty; and is mentioned only on account of its being used by the Indians as an emollient plant, and substituted for spinach. 4. The candata, with very long hanging cylindrical spikes. This species is a native of America. It hath an upright stem three feet high; the leaves and stalks are of a pale green colour. The spikes of flowers are produced from the wings of the stalks, and also at the extremities of the branches. They are of a bright purple colour, and hang downward, sometimes to the length of two feet and an half, so that many of them them touch the ground. 5. The maximus, or tree-like amaranthus, grows with a strong stem, to the height of seven or eight feet. Towards the top it sends forth many horizontal branches, garnished with oblong rough green leaves. At the extremity of every shoot, the cylindrical spikes of flowers are produced. They are of a purple colour, and hang downward like the last; but are seldom half the length, tho' much thicker than the former. 6. The lividus, with roundish spikes of flowers. This grows near three feet high, putting out several side-branches, which are garnished with oval blunt leaves. At the ends of the branches the spikes of flowers are produced in clusters, and grow erect. These are of a deep purple colour. 7. The flavus, with oval pointed leaves. This grows naturally in Portugal, where it is accounted a culinary herb. It grows to the height of four feet; the stalks are inclined to red; the leaves are of an oval figure, marked with purple spots, and have very long foot-stalks. The spikes of flowers are of a pale green colour, and grow erect. They come out from the extremity of the branches in clusters, and also from the wings of the stalks. 8. The sanguineus, with compound spikes, and oblong oval leaves. This is a native of the Bahama islands. It is an excellent plant, and bears fine flowers. It grows to the height of three feet, with purple stalks and leaves. The spikes are short and cylindrical, of a bright purple at first, but afterwards fade to a darker colour. They are frequently produced from the wings of the stalks; but at the extremity of the stalk arises a large cluster of spikes, which are placed cross-wise, with one upright stalk in the middle. 9. The olereaceus, with obtuse indented leaves. This has no beauty; but it is used by the Indians as a substitute to spinach, to which, however, it is greatly inferior.

Culture. The species most worthy of cultivation are the first and second. Next to these are the fourth, fifth, and eighth sorts.—The two first being tender plants, require some art and care to bring them to perfection in Britain. They should be sown on a good hot-bed in February, or in the beginning of March; and in about a fortnight's time the plants will rise. Another hot-bed must then be prepared, covered with fine mould to about four inches deep, and the young plants must be carefully raised, and removed from the other, and planted at about four inches distance every way, and gently watered, to settle the earth to their roots. In the middle of the day they must be screened with mats from the heat of the sun; and they must have air given them, by raising the glass that covers the bed; and the glass must be either turned, or wiped from their moisture, as often as they appear wet. In about three weeks or a month's time, these plants will have grown so large as to require another hot-bed; this must be of a moderate temperature, and covered six inches deep with fine earth; then take them carefully up, and preserve as much of the earth about their roots as may be, and plant them in this bed at eight inches distance; then let them be watered frequently a little at a time, and shaded with mats in the heat of the day. In the beginning of May another hot-bed must be prepared, with a deep frame, that the plants may have room to grow; in this set as many pots as it will conveniently hold; let these be filled with fresh earth, and the intermediate spaces every way be filled also with earth.

The plants are now to be raised with as much earth about their roots as may be, and planted in these pots. In about three weeks more, these plants will be grown to a large size, and must have air given them more and more every day in good weather; and in July they are to be set out in their places, often watering them. The seeds of the fourth, fifth, and eighth species, should be sown upon a moderate hot-bed, towards the end of March; and when the plants come up, they should have a large share of air admitted to them in mild weather, to prevent their drawing up weak. When they are large enough to transplant, another moderate hotbed must be provided, in which they should be planted at six inches distance every way, observing to water them, as also to shade them from the sun, until they have taken new root. After this the air may be freely admitted to them at all times, when the weather is favourable; their waterings should be frequent, but not in great quantities. As the plants advance, and the warmth of the season increases, they should have a greater share of air, that by degrees they may be hardened to bear the open air. The beginning of June they may be taken up, with large balls of earth to their roots, and planted, some into pots, and others into borders, observing to shade them well until they have taken good root; after which they must be watered frequently, especially those in the pots, which in warm dry weather will require it every evening. The fifth sort will not thrive in pots; so should be planted in a rich, light soil; where if it is allowed room, and plentifully watered in dry weather, the plants will grow to a very large size, and make a fine appearance.

Where people are curious in having these annual plants in great perfection, there should be a glass-case erected, with upright and sloping glasses on every side, with a pit in the bottom for tan, in which the pots should be plunged. If this is raised eight or nine feet to the ridge, and the upright glasses are five feet, there will be room enough to raise these and other annual plants to great perfection; and, in such a building, many tender vegetables, which rarely perfect their seeds in this climate, may be every year brought forward so as to ripen their seeds.