(of a privative, and μαραίνω, to wither, because the flower of this plant when cropped does not soon wither), AMARANTH, or FLOWER-GENTLE: A genus of the pentandria order, belonging to the monocota clasps of plants; and, in the natural method, ranking under the 54th order, Mitellaneæ. The characters are: The male calyx is a five or three leav'd perianthium, erect, coloured, and perfisent: There is no corolla: The stamens consist of five or three erect capillary filaments, the length of the calyx; the antherae are oblong and versatile: The female calyx the same as the male, and no corolla: The pistillum has an ovate germen; the styli are three, short, and subulate; the stigmae simple and perfisent: The pericarpium is Amaranthus, Amaryllis.

an ovate capsule, three-beaked, unilocular, and cut round: The seed is one, globular, compressed, and large.

Species. Of this genus Linnæus 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-colored 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 caudata, 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 a half, so that many of them touch the ground.

4. 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 leaf; but are seldom half the length, tho' much thicker than the former.

5. The tanquinus, with compound spikes, and oblong oval leaves. This is a native of the Bahama islands. It is an esculent 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.

6. The olereanus, with obtuse indented leaves. This has no beauty; but it is used by the Indians as a substitute to cabbage.

Culture. The two first of these species being tender, require some art and care to bring them to perfection in Britain, by a succession of hot-beds, with proper waterings, airings, and shadings.

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.