'44 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



THE GRAPE HYACINTHS OF SWITZER- 

 LAND. 



"\ T 7E have previously remarked* that the English 

 VV "blue-bell" (H. non-scrip- 



tus) does not grow in Switzerland, 

 but this does not apply to the several 

 species of Muscari, which are only 

 too plentiful in the Swiss vineyards. 

 Towards the end of March, as we 

 pass by the vine-clothed slopes, an 

 oppressive odour is perceptible in 

 the air (which is said to resemble 

 plums) ; it is carried from the thou- 

 sands of grape hyacinths, which 

 literally cover the broken ground 

 between the vines, and resist every 

 effort made to exterminate them. 

 If once this species, Muscari race- 

 mosum, becomes rooted in the soil, 

 it spreads in the most prolific 

 manner, as shown in the figured 

 specimen. The plant is bulbiferous, 

 each tiny bulb detaching itself from 

 the parent root to start an indepen- 

 dent existence. This single specimen 

 had no less than twenty-four vigorous 

 little bulbs attached, a clear proof of 

 the rapidity of reproduction. It was 

 the first plant that came handy for 

 examination, not being in any way 

 remarkable for size. The species 

 may at once be identified by the 

 scent and by the peculiar form of 

 the leaves, which are channeled, 

 curling up in such a manner that 

 they might be mistaken for those 

 of an Allium. The flowers, of a dull 

 purplish-blue, are crowded in a 

 raceme, the upper ones being abor- 

 tive ; the stem stands erect, one or 

 more from each bulb. Another 

 species, Muscari botryoides, is not 

 nearly so commonly distributed, 

 occurring more in shady woods than 

 in the vineyards. From the drawing, 

 it will be noted that the bulb is of 

 different shape, not budding young 

 rootlets in the wholesale manner as 

 M. racemosum. The raceme of blue 

 flowers is more graceful-looking in 

 M. botryoides, the abortive terminal 

 buds having a decided pink tinge. 

 The leaves, though slightly chan- 

 neled, are linear-lanceolate, and do 

 not coil up, as in the other species. 



the distinction" is well-marked, as an examination of 

 the two plants together quickly testifies. 



Muscari comosum, the feather hyacinth, is a strange- 

 looking plant. Visitors to the south of France must 



We have found 



these two species very generally confused, whereas 

 * Science-Gossip, No. 244, p. 8j. 



Fig. 164. — Muscari racemosum. 



have been struck with its appearance, growing from 

 every wall in such profusion. The flowers are shortly 

 pedicelled, of a livid brown colour as regards the 

 fertile ones, which form the lower part of the loose 



