48 SILENE STELLATA. STARRY CAMPION, OR CATCIIFI.V. 



were crowned." As guessing seems in order on this subject, we 

 may as well venture another guess. Ancient writers say that a 

 thick, downy-leaved plant of this family was dried and used by 

 soldiers in the field as wicks for their lamps. For this reason, 

 the name of Lychnis, from the Greek lychnos, lamp, has been 

 given to some members of the family, and Campion might, 

 therefore, have been applied to the plants of our genus, as they 

 or their relatives supplied wicks to the soldiers while camping out. 



Our plant will not, probably, be considered highly ornamental 

 as it is generally seen ; yet a large bush, formed by numerous 

 roots o-rowing together and seen about sundown, is extremely 

 pretty, and would excite the admiration of any cultivator of 

 flowers. It seems to have been one of the earliest of American 

 plants to secure a foothold in English gardens, for Aiton tells 

 us that it was grown by a Mr. Walker at least as early as before 

 the year 1696. In our own gardens, however, it is not often seen. 



In its wild state, the Starry Campion, or Catchfly, extends 

 over our country, in the language of Mr. Sereno Watson, " from 

 Canada to Georgia, and west to the Indian Territory." In 

 most of the States contained within this area, it is abundant; 

 but in New Jersey it does not seem to be very common. In 

 Pennsylvania it flowers late in July; but Mr. Hyatt reports it 

 as being in bloom in the early part of that month at Peoria, 111. 



Explanation of the Plate. — i . Peieimial root, with the lower part of the stem divested 

 o£ its opposite leaves. — 2. Upper part of the stem, with opposite leaves, vcrticiUate 

 leaves, and flowers. 



