THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 16S 



a kcv for it is a monstrous form in which all parts of the 

 inflorescence are turned to slender ohjects like stamen-fila- 

 ments. The only way to identify it is to ask somehody who 

 knows, and accordingly we turned to Dr. L. 11. IJailev, author 

 of the "Manual of Cultivated Plants." He identifies it as 

 the feather hyacinth (Muscari comusiim nwnstrosum) , a 

 relative of our common little grape hyacinth {Muscari hotry- 

 oidcs). ll is sometimes called M. comosum pliDuosuni in 

 catalos^ues. It seems to he rare in cultivation hut it is well 

 worth a place in the garden. If any of our readers ha\e 

 this form under cultivation, we would he glad to hear ui it. 



ScAuuKT Ipomopsis. — This is an old-fashioned flower 

 that one rarely sees now, even in old-time gardens. It is 

 highly decorative, its rich scarlet flowers comhining wonder- 

 fully with larkspurs. It conies into hloom at the same time 

 as the larksi)ur and hlooms until cut down hy frost. If one 

 wishes a patr4otic effect these are the flowers that will prc;- 

 duce it: one packet each of scarlet ipomosis, hlue, and white 

 larkspurs. Sow the ipomosis at the hack as it is tallest. 

 The seedsmen still list the ipomosis under the common name 

 of "tree cypress." In Florida it grows on the small sand- 

 hills along the beach on the ocean side. Here it grows more 

 than three feet high and is found by the acre — a solid scarlet 

 sheet almost like a glowing sunset. It self-sows readilv and 

 hence is really a desirable plant for the garden, hut like many 

 others it has been forgotten. No plant of recent introduc- 

 tion can etjual it in my estimation. The fact that it will 

 bloom luxuriantly in {)oor sandy soil is much in its faxor. — 

 Mrs. B. A. Budd, Prcscott, Ariz. 



Blooming of Melanthium. — Miss Julia J. Noll, Plain- 

 held. New Jersey writes : "We have within a short distance 

 of our city, two species of MelantJiinm — M. Virginiciiiii and 

 M. latifoliinii. The first is found growing in a swamj) and 



