180 THE GARDENER. ' [April 



species, at the base or sides of the capsule, but in a few others the 

 openings were at the top, and three in number ; and on this trifling 

 character is the modern genus, Wahlenbergia, founded, for in every 

 other essential feature — habit of growth, inflorescence, and structure of 

 flowers — they are alike. The largest number of the species are annual 

 or biennial, some of which are pretty enough, but now rarely used in 

 private gardens. The perennials are very few in number, and at pre- 

 sent rare in this country. They are natives of various countries of 

 Europe and Western Asia, inhabiting chiefly mountain pastures. 

 They propagate freely by division and by seeds. 



Beginning with W. hederacea, known in most of our native floras 

 as Campanula hederacea, we have a very graceful pretty plant prostrate 

 in habit, and diminutive in all its parts, but when properly accom- 

 modated as regards soil and aspect it forms a charming and interest- 

 ing object from June till the end of August. The flowers are pale- 

 blue or bluish-purple, small individually, but produced in consider- 

 able numbers ; bell-shaped, and supported on long thread-like stalks. 

 It is best adapted for cultivation on the rockwork. Should have 

 rather a shady moist position and rich light loam. 



W. Kitaibelii, syn. Edraianthus Kitaibelii, and Campanula Kitai- 

 belii, is from Himgary. It grows to the height of about 9 inches or 

 1 foot, has dark purple or violet flowers, and the plant is generally 

 hairy. The flowers appear in July and August, and the plant is best 

 adapted for rockwork culture, and prefers a dry, airy, moderately- 

 exposed position. 



Jasione, another small genus of Campanulaceae, is distinct in struc- 

 ture and aspect from all other genera of the order. It is not a strik- 

 ing or showy family, and is introduced here chiefly on account of the 

 close approach it makes in the structure of its flowers to the Compo- 

 sites, which will furnish it with a special interest to those who would 

 trace the affinities of plants. The anthers are, as in Composites, 

 united at the base, and form a ring or sheath around the style. The 

 heads of flower are in the way of some of the Scabiosse, and are pretty, 

 though not conspicuously beautiful. 



J. humilis is of creeping, somewhat tufted, habit, rarely exceeding 

 8 inches high, bearing on short stalks compact heads of blue flowers 

 about July and August. The plant is quite hardy, but found at 

 high elevations on the Pyi'enees, and enjoying there a blanket of 

 snow during winter ; it often succumbs to the combined influence of 

 damp and frost unprotected in our climate. A little fern, dry litter, or 

 other similar material, is all that is necessary to keep it safe. It 

 should be cultivated on rockwork, in light rich loam on the driest 

 possible bottom. 



