132 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



transformed the surface and flora of that region, that only a few 

 varieties still remain of the wild plants which formed the original 

 clothing " of that district, and " many have entirely disappeared." 



"What an extensive flora Switzerland possesses compared with 

 other countries in Europe! " Weber's Alpenflanzen" gives us four 

 hundred, but, unless he brings out a fifth volume, he has failed to 

 insert several important species, with their varieties. Morell speaks 

 of the varied tints of the same plants under different aspects, and I 

 have frequently observed, in travelling from one district to another, 

 that Saponaria ocymoides is of a deeper rose colour on the mountain 

 called La Flegere, above Chamounix, than the same species growing 

 on the banks of the gorge of the Dala, between Leukerbad and 

 Susten ; and Primula farinosa is more lilac on the Rigi Scheideck 

 than the plants that cover the fields near Tusis, at the entrance of 

 the Via Mala. On my own rockwork their blossom has a crimson 

 tinge. 



Morell says that the brilliancy of the tints of the upper Alpine 

 flowers " has been ascribed to the pure snow-water nourishing their 

 roots, to the greater excitement of the light, and to the refined 

 purity of the air." We cannot hope for such advantages in our 

 amateur attempts in the culture of these lovely strangers, but it is 

 delightful to look upon even a few of them, and their delicate forms 

 and hues carry us back to the favourite haunts and superb scenery 

 of Switzerland, and prove a lasting remembrance, and a living diary 

 of wonders and beauties not to be described by books or paintings. 



The following is a list of the plants that have flourished since 

 my first collection in 1861 : — 



Anemone alpina Gemmi Pass May to July. 



Ranunculus glacialis and alpestris . . Furca J u ly> Aug. 



Diaba frigida „ „ 



stellata Several passes June, July. 



Sauteri ,, „ 



Viola biflora Mountain districts May to Aug. 



Diantbus barbatus Tourtemagne June to Aug. 



■ alpinus Great Scbeideck ,, 



glacialis Rosenlaui July, Aug. 



Saponaria ocymoides Frequent, La Flegere April to Aug. 



Trifolium alpinum JUggischhorn June to Aug. 



Dryas octopetala . . . . , Furca ,, 



Saxifraga oppositifolia Grindelwald July* Aug. 



aizoides Rosenlaui ,, 



aizoon Via Mala ,, 



rotundifolia Great Scheideck June to Aug. 



Homogyne alpina Rigi Scbeideck May, June. 



Aster alpinus „ ,, 



Campanula excisa Ragatz July, Aug. 



■ ■ Morelliana Rosenlaui „ 



Rhododendron hirsutum Rigi Scheideck May to July. 



Gentiana asclepiadea ,, . Aug., Sept. 



Frohlickii „ July, Aug. 



pumila ,, ,, 



bavarica ,, ,, 



imbricata „ ,, 



Linavia alpina Seed from Grindelwald .... „ 



Veronica bellioides Rigi Scheideck ,, 



