saffron; a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the triandria class of plants. Modern botanists allow only one species of this genus, which, however, comprehends many beautiful varieties. This hath a small roundish, brown, bulbous root, compressed at the bottom. Directly from the root issue many long narrow leaves, of a deep green colour; and amidst them the flowers all protruded from a thin univalvular, radical spathe; the tube of the flower is long, standing on the root, and serving as a foot-stalk to the limb, or upper part, which is erect, six-parted, widens gradually upward, and grows from about three to five or six inches high. The varieties of this species may be divided into two classes, the autumnal and spring flowering.

The varieties of the first are the crocus officinalis, or saffron of the shops; for the properties of which, and its cultivation for sale, see the article Saffron. This hath a long-tubed bluish purple flower, with three stigmata of a fine golden colour. Other varieties are the autumnal small blue crocus; deep blue, sky-blue, whitish blue, many-flowered whitish blue, purple, large rush-leaved purple, autumnal white crocus, and autumnal yellow crocus. The varieties of the vernal crocuses are, the small and large, and golden yellow crocuses, and the yellow black-striped, the yellow purple-striped and double cloth of gold ones; the white, white purple-striped, white purple bottom, white black-striped, whitish cream-coloured, whitish ash-coloured, little narrow-leaved white, and white blue-striped crocuses. Besides these there are a great many others of a blue and purple colour finely variegated.

The autumnal crocuses flower about the beginning of October, but never ripen their seeds in this country. They are very beautiful if sown in patches in the front of borders or in beds by themselves, and very proper ornaments for gardens of every extent, as coming up at a time when most other flowers are on the decay. They grow freely in any kind of soil, and may be propagated by offsets. The vernal kinds flower in February, March, and April. They also are very ornamental, and are so hardy that they will grow almost anywhere. They are propagated by seeds, which the plants produce in plenty.

chemistry, denotes any metal calcined to a red or deep yellow colour.

Crocus Metallorum, an emetic preparation of antimony and nitre. See Chemistry, no 459.

CRÈSUS, the fifth and last king of Lydia, 544 B.C. He made the Greeks of Asia tributary; subdued the Phrygians, Myrians, Paphlagonians, Thracians, and Carians; amassed together immense riches; and became one of the most powerful and magnificent princes in the world. He drew the learned to his court, and took a pleasure in conversing with them. One day as he was enumerating his riches, and magnifying the felicity of his reign, Solon gave a check to his vanity, by saying, that we ought to consider no man happy before his death. Croesus ridiculed this reflection, but soon he himself experienced its truth: for, being defeated by Cyrus, he shut himself up in Sardis, the capital of his empire. The city was taken by assault; and, as a Persian soldier was going to kill Croesus, that prince's only surviving son, who had hitherto been dumb, terrified at his danger, cried, Stop, soldier, and lay not thy hand on Croesus. Croesus was then conducted to Cyrus, who caused him to be laid on a funeral pile; when, reflecting on Solon's words, he cried, O Solon, Solon! Cyrus desired to know what he meant; and, being told the reason of this exclamation, was so moved, that he recalled his sentence, and treated him with great respect.