or May. Sandy peat and loam. Very high elevations on the Alps, Pyrenees, and Apennines.

S. montana (Mountain S.) is closely allied to S. alpina; the leaves are similar in form but larger, and the flowers are more numerous in the umbel, less deeply fringed, and paler purple. Flowers in April and May. Found in moist open woods at high elevations on the mountains of Austria and Bohemia. Very sandy peat and loam, the peat predominating.

S. minima (Smallest S.) is perhaps the prettiest, as it is also one of the least, of the group. The leaves are very small, and nearly round or kidney-shaped. The flower-stalks are erect but slender, bearing usually only one comparatively large flower, whitish, and `veined on the inner surface with pale purple, the fringe not deep. Flowers in April and May. Mountains of Switzerland, Styria, and Carniola. Same soil as for the two preceding species. There is a pretty white-flowered variety, but very rare.

S. pusilla (Feeble S.) is very beautiful, but rather rare. It is in the way of S. minima; the flowers, however, are bright blue, and I have met with an almost copper-coloured variety that is interesting. From the Alps of Switzerland. Flowers in April and May. Sandy peat and loam, the peat predominating.

Trientalis europea. This pretty little plant is a native of Britain and other countries of Europe, also of North America and Asia, always affecting the colder latitudes, or, if appearing in the warmer countries, it rises into the mountains. Old fir or other open moist woods are its favourite haunts. It is a solitary species, and the sole representative in the flora of Britain of the seventh class in the Linnæan system of botany; but it is not a good seventh, the parts of the flowers being often found in fives. The whole plant rarely exceeds 6 inches high, with erect wiry stems bearing a few leaves whorl-fashion at the top, and from the centre of these spring the chaste and graceful star-like white or pale-pink flowers with a small yellow eye. On rockwork it must be placed in such a position as that shade and moisture will be secured to it, and the soil it most delights in is open gritty leaf-mould, or very sandy peat and light loam. It does not succeed cultivated in the ordinary exposed mixed border or bed, shade being very essential to its wellbeing; but it is a most useful plant to introduce into moderately shady moist woods or banks, with a northern aspect, where the natural herbage is not too rank and overpowering. In all cases where the introduction of it is contemplated, the soil above named should be liberally allowed;

サ

it well repays a little trouble in the first preparation for its reception. The flowers appear in cultivation usually in May or June, but in nature often a month later. Division is the best method of propagation.

GLOBULARIACEAE.

Globularia. These are charming little alpine plants, distinguished, as the name implies, by the inflorescence being gathered together into compact globular heads. Some of the species are not hardy in all parts of the country, and the following should be avoided in making selections for cultivation in the open air north of London, unless the climate of the locality is mild in winter and the soil light and warm:-G. Alypum, integrifolia, longifolia, and spinosa. These may succeed well in the southern parts of England and in many parts of Ireland, but, except in the more favoured parts of the west of Scotland, they are likely to succumb to the bad effects of our winter climate in the north. The majority of the hardy species are best adapted for the rockwork in most parts of the country, and most of them succeed well in the open border in light rich naturally well-drained soil, where a little shade can be given them. They are pretty things in pots, and in wet cold localities they will not live for any length of time, unless kept in pots for handiness for winter protection. Rich peat and loam form the best compost for them in pots, and it should be well sharpened up with rough gritty sand. They are easily increased by division, which is best done in spring as growth commences, and attention to watering will be necessary for some time afterwards till the plants are fairly established.

G. cordifolia (Wedge-leaved G.) is of somewhat creeping habit, rooting at the joints as it extends. The root-leaves are wedgeshaped on longish stalks, blunt and toothed at the points. The flower-stems are about 6 or 8 inches high, clothed at the base with leaves, similar in form to, but smaller than, those of the roots. The flowers are blue, and appear in June and July; suitable for the mixed border as well as for the rockwork, but a somewhat shady situation should be chosen for it. Native of Germany.

G. nudicaulis (Naked-stalked G.)-This is rather a strongergrowing species than the last named. The root-leaves are lanceolate, on short foot-stalks, and the flower-stems are nearly

naked, having only a small lanceolate bract or two under the flower-heads. The flower-heads are large, dark blue, and appear in June and July. Native of Germany, and adapted alike well to the rockwork or mixed border, in partial shade.

G. nana (Small G.) is a very diminutive species, forming dwarf carpet-like patches of small, bright-green leaves. The flower-heads rise only an inch or two above the foliage, are not large, but profuse, are pale blue or lilac, and appear in June and July. Native of the mountains of France, and suitable only for cultivation on rockwork, or in pots in gritty peat and loam.

G. vulgaris (Common G.) grows about 6 or 8 inches high. The lower leaves are stalked and lanceolate, the upper ones stalkless and smaller, but of the same form. The flower-heads are dense and bright blue, appearing in May, June, and July. Common on the mountains of Europe generally. Adapted for cultivation on rockwork or in the open border where a little shade can be secured.

PLUMBAGINACEÆ.

There are some useful and beautiful hardy herbaceous subjects in this family, but they are not numerous, and they are chiefly characterised by neatness and grace of habit rather than gay colouring. They will be found useful for a variety of purposes in the flower-garden, the majority being most useful as border and rockwork ornaments.

Armeria (Thrift). These are all neat low-growing plants, yielding a great profusion of flowers for a lengthened period in summer, and generally they are very pleasing and attractive plants. They are easily cultivated, doing best in light sandy loam, and propagate freely by division in spring or early autumn, by cuttings in some cases, and by seed.

A. alpina (Alpine Thrift).—A dwarf species, with tufted linear leaves in close masses, not very distinct in most respects from vulgaris. The flower-stems are about 6 inches high, bearing a round compact head of reddish or pale-purple flowers, which appear in early summer and last a month or two. Native of alpine pastures in most of the mountainous countries of Europe. Like the common Thrift, it may be used for edgings to alleys and walks.

A. cephalotes (Crimson Thrift).—Perhaps the most beautiful of the group. It forms dense tufts of lanceolate leaves,

R

dark green and smooth. The flower-stems are a foot or more high, surmounted by a compact spherical head of rosy-crimson flowers. It flowers very freely from May or June throughout the summer. Native of the Mediterranean.

A. plantaginea (Plantain-leaved Thrift).—This is near in character to Cephalotes. It has the broad leaves and taller flower-scapes of that sort, but is not so decidedly effective in colour, and is usually more restricted in growth. The flowers are deep rose-red, in compact heads. Native of the south of Europe. There is an important white-flowered variety named leucantha, which is accounted a fairly distinct species for a Thrift in some works. It is very ornamental, and furnishes an excellent variation of colour in this, in that respect, rather deficient group-the flowers being beautiful clear white.

A. vulgaris (Common Thrift).-A well-known plant, to be met with in nearly every cottage garden in the country. There are several varieties-the best is the rose or red one, and there is a tolerably good white and a pale lilac—all are useful pretty plants. Besides the very common use of edging to which it is put, it may also be employed in bare rocky ground and dry banks, for clothing such places, as it has considerable tenacity of life once it is established, and does not easily succumb to the influence of drought.

Acantholimon glumaceum, syn. Statice ararati.—This is a beautiful little plant, growing in prostrate fashion, with numerous matted stems, clothed with linear, hard, dark-green bristle or spine-pointed leaves. The flowers are rose-coloured, in numerous short one-sided spikes. They begin to appear in April, and continue in great profusion for a month or two. It is best adapted for culture on rockwork, and prefers a light sandy soil and sunny position. In well-drained light soil it succeeds very well in the open border; it is quite hardy, but liable to suffer from continued damp in winter, therefore it is not well adapted for cold wet localities and soils; and in such, extra precautions, by draining well under the plant and planting it on raised hillocks, if it is grown in borders, must be taken. It is one of those plants that are worthy of a place in every garden, and is especially commendable for amateur and other small gardens. Propagate by seed, cuttings, and division, and the latter is the least troublesome means once stock is established, but the divisions should not be too minute. Native of Armenia.

Statice (Sea Lavender).—This is a large genus, but in the hardy section there is a good deal of sameness in the colour of the flowers, blue being the most common, There is, however,

a considerable variation in foliage and stature, but a few of the more distinct forms are all that are needed, in our selection, to secure the best of those that are in cultivation. They all succeed best in deep sandy loam, and should not often be disturbed. Propagate by division in spring, which, in the majority of species, requires to be carefully done, and by seed in small pots in a cold frame; or in slight heat, if available, in March.

S. eximia (Pink Sea Lavender).—The plant grows a foot or more high. The flower-stems are leafless. The leaves are tufted about the roots, and are oblong, widening somewhat towards the point. The flowers are produced in freely-branching panicles, are very numerous, but small and pink, appearing in June or July, and lasting a month or two. Native of Sougaria.

S. globulariæfolia (Globularia-leaved Sea Lavender).—A neatgrowing species, with a tuft of small obovate leaves terminating in an abrupt sharp point. The flower-stems are leafless, 6 to 9 inches high, and branching into rather close panicles of small blue flowers, appearing early in summer, and lasting a month or two. Native of the Mediterranean. Best adapted for rockwork in sunny positions, unless the borders are well drained and composed of rich light sandy loam.

S. Limonium (Broad-leaved Sea Lavender).-Perhaps the finest of the hardy Statices for border decoration. It produces a bold tuft of oblong dark-green leaves, widening toward the point. The flower-stems are leafless, branching much; the branches extending wide at the base, and shortening as they ascend to the top, forming a corymbose panicle; the flowers are blue, and appear in August and September. The species is somewhat variable, and one of the best forms of it that has appeared in gardens is that named latifolia, which is not only more luxuriant as regards the foliage, but in the inflorescence also, which becomes considerably more ample than that of the type. Native of the coasts of western Europe, Asia, the Mediterranean, and America, and is not uncommon on the coasts of England. Height 18 inches.

S. tatarica, syn. Goniolimon tataricum (Tartarian Sea Lavender). The plant grows a foot high. The leaves are all confined to the roots; they are oblong-lanceolate, widening somewhat upwards, are dark green, and terminate in an abrupt sharp point. The stems branch very freely, forming handsome open panicles; and the flowers are pink, appearing in August and September. Native of Tartary.

Valloradia plumbaginoides, syn. Plumbago Larpentæ.A beautiful border-plant, but barely hardy in all parts of the