in antiquity, was a title or surname borne by several ancient kings; formed from the Greek ἀδελφός, "friend, lover," and ἀδελφός, "brother;" g.d., one who loves his brother or brethren. See PTOLEMY AND EGYPT.
the Pipe-tree, or Mock orange; a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the icelandica clasps of plants.
Species 1. The coronarius, white syringa, or mock-orange, has been long cultivated in the gardens of this country as a flowering shrub; it is not well known in what country it is to be found native. It rises seven or eight feet high; sending up a great number of slender stalks from the root. These have a grey bark, branch out from their sides, and are garnished with oval spear-shaped leaves. These last have deep indentures on their edges; their upper surface being of a deep green, but the under surface pale, with the taste of a fresh cucumber. The flowers are white, and come out from the sides and at the ends of the branches in loose bunches, each standing on a distinct foot-stalk: they have four oval petals, which spread open, with a great number of stamens within, surrounding the style.
This shrub by its flowers makes a fine figure in May and June; for they are produced in clusters both at the end and from the sides of the branches. They are of a fine white colour, and exceedingly fragrant. The petals of which each is composed are large, and spread open like those of the orange; and then form-
ing branches, which stand each on its own separate short footstalk, and being produced in plenty all over the shrub, both at once feast the eye and the smell: The eye, by the pleasing appearance it will then have; the smell, as the air at some distance will be replete with the odoriferous particles constantly emitted from those fragrant flowers. These flowers, however, are very improper for chimneys, water-glasses, &c. in rooms; for in those places their scent will be too strong; and for the ladies in particular, often too powerful.
The double-flowering syringa, is a low variety of this species, seldom rising to more than a yard high. The description of the other belongs to this sort, except that the leaves and branches are proportionally smaller and more numerous, and the bark of the shoots of a lighter brown. It is called the Double-flowering syringa, because it sometimes produces a flower or two with three or four rows of petals; whereas, in general, the flowers, which are very few, and seldom produced, are single. They are much smaller than those of the other; and you will not see a flower of any kind on this shrub oftener perhaps than once in five years. It is hardly worth propagating on this account; so that a few plants only ought to be admitted into a collection, to be ready for observation.
The dwarf syringa is still of lower growth than the other, seldom rising to more than two feet in height. The description of the first sort still agrees with this; only that the branches and leaves are still proportionally smaller and more numerous, and the bark is still of a lighter brown. It never produces flowers.
2. The nanus, with oval leaves somewhat indented, and double flowers, seldom rises above three feet high; the flowers come out singly from the sides of the branches, and have a double or treble row of petals of the same size and form as well as the same scent with the former; but this sort flowers very rarely, so is but little esteemed.
3. The inodorus, with entire leaves, is a native of Carolina, and as yet but little known in Europe. It rises with a shrubby stalk of about 16 feet in height, sending out slender branches from the sides opposite, garnished with smooth leaves shaped like those of the pear-tree, and standing on pretty long foot-stalks. The flowers are produced at the ends of the branches; and are large, white, spreading open, with a great number of short stamens with yellow summits. This is called the Carolina syringa, is the tallest grower by far of any sort of the syringa, and makes the grandest show when in blow; though the flowers are destitute of smell.
The propagation of all the sorts is very easy: They are increased by layers, cuttings, or suckers. 1. The most certain method is by layers; for the young twigs being laid in the earth in the winter, will be good-rooted plants by the autumn following. 2. These plants may be increased by cuttings, which being planted in October, in a shady moist border, many of them will grow; though it will be proper to let those of the Carolina sort remain until spring, and then to plant them in pots, and help them by a little heat in the bed. By this assistance, hardly one cutting will fail. 3. They may be also increased by suckers; for all the sorts throw out suckers, though the Carolina syringa the least of any. These will all strike roots, and and be fit for the nursery ground: nay, the double-flowering and the dwarf sorts are always increased this way; for these plants having flood five or six years, may be taken up and divided into several scores. All the plants, however, whether raised from layers, cuttings, or suckers, should be planted in the nursery-ground to get strength, before they are set out for good. They should be planted a foot asunder, and the distance in the rows should be two feet. After this, they will require no other care than hoeing the weeds, until they have stood about two years, which will be long enough for them to stand there.