1873.] AQUATICS. CHAPTER X. 151 



my object to draw attention to its capability of producing bold effects wlien cut 

 down annually, and kept to a single shoot. A group of the Paulownia, banded with 

 the variegated Negundo, and edged with the purple-leaved Acer, forms an effective 

 and chai-ming combination. It is also appropriately used in association with 

 sub-tropical plants, presenting quite an exotic aspect on account of its bold 

 development, as, in common with other fine-leaved plants, it luxuriates in a 

 liighly-enriched soil. It requires, however, to be protected in winter with 

 mulching, when annually cut down. 



To be entirely successful with them, the first season they are planted, they 

 should be procured in pots, one year old from the cutting, as they are plants that 

 do not relish being lifted and disturbed at the root, on which account nurserymen 

 generally keep a portion of their young stock in pots. Young plants are the best 

 to start with for the purpose indicated. They are so freely propagated from 

 cuttings of the roots, that pieces 3-in. or so in length, put in during the early 

 spring, into single pots, in a light sandy soil, and plunged in bottom-heat, will 

 quickly start into growth, and if potted on and hardened off by degrees, will 

 make fine plants by bedding-out time. 



Why, then, with such simple means of cultivation, should we be debarred 

 the dignity this noble plant affords, when with so little labour and care it may 

 be placed within the reach of the most humble cultivator ? A few well-disposed 

 groups even in mixed shrubberries in cold localities would produce a very pleasing 

 effect. The general aspect of our shrubberries is, upon the whole, too formal 

 and sombre, and would be vastly improved by being broken up with a freer 

 combination of deciduous plants having remarkable foliage, such as the Ailantus^ 

 the Accrs^ Catalpa^ G/jmnocladus, Rohinias^ &c., as well as the many varied types 

 of tree form. The more abundant use of flowering plants in such situations 

 would also be advantageous. — G. Westland, Witley Court. 



AQUATICS.— Chapter X. 



WwNE would hardly suppose that the Ranunculus Lingua^ or Great Spearwort 

 ^^^ of the old Herbalists, had anj'thing to do with the Crow-foot fraternity, 

 V(^ till the flowers appear, when it at once becomes evident that it is a veritable 

 ^"^ Buttercup. It is a British subject, and is not unfrequently met with in 

 marshes, and near the margins of lakes in various parts of England and Scotland, 

 also in Virginia ; it generally grows from 3 ft. to 5 ft. high, having smooth cylindri- 

 cal hollow stems, bearing almost entire lanceolate leaves from 5 in. to 8 in. lono-, 

 and nearly 1 in. broad in the middle, and terminated by a loose panicle of glossy 

 bright yellow flowers, which continue to appear through the greater part of the 

 summer. 



It is a very imposing plant for the margins of ornamental water, and although 

 it belongs to a numerous and varied family, still upon carefully reviewing them 

 individually, one can hardly consider any of them worthy of note as aquatic plants 

 except this, and the R. aquatilis noted below. The prevailing colour of the flowers 



