CISTUS. 239 



Aiton enumerates forty-three distinct species 

 of Cistus in the Hortus Kewensis, seven of which 

 are claimed as native plants by the British bo- 

 tanist. 



The Dwarf Cistus, or Little Sunflower, Cistus 

 Hellanthemum, 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 remarkable 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 Helian- 

 themiim is a perennial plant that sends out long 

 trailing branches, and when planted on poor dry 



