"The dahlia which is a perennial, is a native of Mexico from whence it was first introduced into Spain, from thence it has gradually spread itself over Europe...The dahlia, or Georgina, as it is called by the botanists on the continent, belongs to the class Syngcnexia of Linnaeus, and the natural order Corymbiferce of Jussieu. The dahlia may be cultivated either as a perennial bulb, or as an annual; as, however, the old plants flower somewhat earlier than those produced from seeds, and as the finest flowers already obtained are continued in this way."