250 FLORA HISTOR1CA. 



planted in large clusters ; and it demands admira- 

 tion when viewed singly, as the lower part of the 

 interior of the campanula of the flower forms a fine- 

 spotted yellowish star on the rich azure blue ground 

 of the five expanding segments of the corolla, whilst 

 the exterior of the bell is of reddish purple, or deep 

 lilac. It flowers in April and May, and frequently 

 in the autumn : it loves a moist loamy soil and a 

 shady situation, and is propagated by parting the 

 roots ; but it may also be increased by sowing the 

 seeds which produce the best plants. These should 

 be sown in the autumn in a border of good loam 

 earth, and the plants will flower the second year ; 

 but they are greatly checked by frequent trans- 

 planting. 



The Spring Gentian, Verna, is also a British 

 plant that flowers in April ; but, as it is of a more 

 diminutive size, it is not so frequently planted for 

 ornament as the foregoing. The culture and soil is 

 the same. 



The Yellow Gentian, Lutea, grows from three to 

 four feet in height, and is a desirable plant to orna- 

 ment groves and woody scenes, as it succeeds best in 

 shady situations where the soil is light and damp, 

 and where many plants would not exist. It flowers 

 in June and July ; and when several plants arise 

 near to each other, the effect they give in wilder- 

 ness scenery is most agreeably enlivening. 



