274 FLORA HISTORIOA. 



cate little flowers, as must surprise those who 

 have not seen them thus treated. 



The generic name of this plant is derived from 

 that given it by the ancients, who called it Muog 

 wTiou, Mouse-ear, from the form of the leaves, 

 and the French on the same account call it Oreille 

 de rat, Rat's-ear. It frequently flowers in May, 

 and continues to give out a succession of blossoms 

 until the end of August. It is increased by se- 

 parating the roots, and planting them in a moist 

 but free earth, and when planted thickly on the 

 banks or borders of streams or ornamental lakes, 

 it is seen to peculiar advantage. When culti- 

 vated in pots it should be shaded until the slips 

 have taken fresh root, after which the pots should 

 be placed in an open and free air, giving them 

 water when the weather is dry. When in blos- 

 som, they may be taken into the house, where 

 these elegant little blue flowers, with their bright 

 yellow eye, cannot fail to attract all the admirers 

 of nature's charms. This plant is sometimes 

 seen growing naturally in dry grounds, but in 

 such situations both the plant and the flowers are 

 very diminutive in comparison to those growing 

 in or near the water. 



We earnestly recommend the cultivation of this 

 rustic little beauty, and particularly so to those 

 cottagers who live near towns, as by transplant- 



