$20 FLORA HISTORIC^. 



The Dwarf Cistus, or Little Sunflower, Cisfus 

 Jlelianthemumt is one of the most beautiful flowers 

 that graces our chalky hills and gravelly banks 

 during the months of July and August. In cal- 

 careous soils these flowers are generally of a bright 

 yellow or lemon colour, but in sandy grounds we 

 have frequently found them of a fine rose-colour, 

 and sometimes of a dingy reddish yellow. The 

 variety with white petals is usually found on 

 gravelly banks, and we have observed that this 

 species of Cistus is generally found flourishing on 

 banks or hills that have an eastern aspect ; a re- 

 markable instance of which may be seen at the 

 Devil's Dyke, near Brighton, where, on the bank 

 of the dyke which faces the east, thousands of these 

 beautiful little flowers may be seen spangling the 

 turf with their yellow petals, whilst on the opposite 

 bank, which has a western aspect, not a single 

 plant of the Cistus is to be found. All the species 

 seem to love a dry soil and a clear and pure air. 

 The Cistus HeliantJiemum is a perennial plant that 

 sends out long trailing branches, and when planted 

 on poor dry soil, will continue for several years, 

 but when planted in rich or moist ground, seldom 

 survives a second year. Few plants are better cal- 

 culated to ornament rockwork or gravelly banks 

 than this native, particularly when all the varieties 



