87 



scientifically and gave it the name it now bears. It is a native of 

 the mountainous woods of the south of Europe, frequent in Switz- 

 erland and on the Alps generally, also on Mt. Ida and in the island 

 of Zante. Gerard states that it grew wild in England near South- 

 fleet in Kent, but this is denied by other writers. A strong claim 

 was made that this species was native on the island of Steep 

 Holmes in the Severn, and certain it is that it has often been col- 

 lected there in an apparently wild state. Anderson, however, says 

 " Our claim to it as a native of Britain is perhaps but slender " 

 (Baker). 



7. PcEonia humilis, Retz. 



The first account of this plant was given by Clusius, an acute 

 observer and original writer, who described a great number of plants 

 then unknown which he observed in the countries visited by him 

 toward the close of the sixteenth century. He described it in Spain, 

 and this is confirmed by Dr. Shuter, who says he saw P. humilis 

 growing abundantly on the mountains of Spain. When and how 

 this species was introduced into England is uncertain ; possibly from 

 the gardens of Holland. (Anderson and Baker). 



9. Pceonia decora, Anders. 



This plant is also mentioned by Clusius, who obtained it from 

 Constantinople. Seeds of this plant were received in England by 

 Messrs. Lee and Kennedy from Pallas, probably from the Crimea. 

 The name Pallas gave it was lost, but the firn. called it Byzantina 

 (now known as variety Pallasii). A variety, called Elatior, was 

 first observed in England in the nursery of Messrs. Chandler and 

 Buckingham, who believe they got it from Holland. (Anderson, 

 1817; Baker, 1884). 



10. Pceonia arietina, Anders. 



This species seems to be a native of the Levant and also of the 

 valleys of the highest mountains of Crete. It is a very early bloom- 

 ing species. The varieties Andersoni and Oxoniensis belong to 

 this species. (Anderson and Baker). 



I 



II. Pceonia peregrina, Miller. 



According to DeCandolle, this is a native of the mountains of 



Provence and Languedoc, chiefly near Montpellier ; also abundant 



on the mountains of La Serane and Pic St. Loupe, and in the 



forest of Valene ; also probably the Levant. (Anderson and Baker). 



