PHLOX REPTANS. CRAWLING PHLOX. 1 83 



which may also be observed in our plate), which thus helps to 

 sustain the plant, but the next year all this dies away. The 

 plant is in reality a wanderer ; and in culture, to which it readily 

 adapts itself, it has to be watched, and must now and then be 

 brought back to its proper quarters, as otherwise there is danger 

 that it will quietly walk away and eventually disappear entirely 

 from the florist's collection. 



It seems almost unnecessary to call attention to the advantages 

 which this plant offers to the ornamental designer. The almost 

 entire leaves, of a noble simplicity of form ; the very straight and 

 precise flower-stalk ; the few flowers, set on the summit, at reg- 

 ular distances from each other, like the arms of a candelabrum ; 

 the corolla, with its rounded segments arranged carefully one 

 over the other, and disposed so as to produce a symmetrical 

 outline ; and finally the whole arrangement of the parts in their 

 relation to each other, — all these go to make a combination 

 which can readily be turned to good use where more graceful 

 lines would not be in harmony with the surroundings. In cases 

 where an expression of strength is desired, our plant might be 

 excellently well employed ornamentally, to emphasize the func- 

 tions of the constructive parts ; and as it is strictly an American 

 plant — a member of an exclusively American family — it will 

 be appropriate in connection with any work of a national char- 

 acter. 



The geographical distribution of this beautiful Phlox has not 

 been fixed as definitely as it might have been by this time, con- 

 sidering that it is limited to the older settled portions of our own 

 country. We have already seen that it was found in North 

 Carolina by Michaux, and in Georgia by Frazer. Drummond 

 is credited with having found it " in the Alleghanies," but this 

 certainly is not very definite. Mr. Peters is cited as an authority 

 for the statement that it exists in Kentucky, and Prof. Wood 

 says, " hillsides and mountains, Indiana to South Carolina." Dr. 

 Chapman says, " damp, shady woods near Washington, Wilkes 

 County, Georgia, and northward along the mountains "; and 



