248 THE FL0RI8T AND POMOLOGIST. [November, 



Scilla bifolia var. maxima (S. grandiflora maxima, Krelage). — In bloom February 17. A 

 very handsome variety, differing from the others in its larger flowers ; the leaves, too, aro 

 almost as broad as those of S. sibirica, and are bright green ; the scape bears a raceme of 11 

 to 15 flowers, of a rich porcelain blue, tbe lower ones on long stalks ; when expanded, they 

 are nearly an inch across ; ovary somewhat rounded at the apex. 



Scilla bifolia var. compacta (S. prascox, Krelage). — In bloom February 24. This is quite 

 distinct from any of the varieties cultivated under the name praocox, and from its densely- 

 packed flowers may be named compacta. The leaves are comparatively narrow, purplish- 

 green, and with a shorter point than most of the others. The flowers are borne in a dense 

 raceme, and are all turned to one side, the lower stalks not being much longer than the upper 

 ones ; the flowers are about half an inch in diameter, of a palo slaty-blue colour ; ovary sub- 



Scilla bifolia var. metattica. — In bloom February 28. A fine variety. The leaves ara 

 rather broad, and purplish at the edge ; the scape bears a raceme of 8 or 9 erect flowers, the 

 lowest on long stalks ; the flowers are nearly an inch across, with the segments azure blue at 

 the tips, shading off into violet at the base, and having a metallic sheen which renders them 

 very attractive ; ovary oblong, obtuse at the apex. 



Scilla bifolia var. alba. — In bloom February 28. — Identical with the form cultivated in 

 English gardens under the same name. 



Scilla bifolia var. rosea. — In bloom February 28. Identical with the var. rosea of English 

 gardens. 



Scilla bifolia var. grandiflora. — In bloom March 6. The leaves are narrow, with purple 

 edges. The scape is 3-flowered, the lowest flower on a long stalk; and the flower a rich 

 cobalt blue, 1\ inch in diameter ; ovary oblong, obtuse. 



Scilla bifolia var. carnea. — In bloom March 6. Sent under the name rosea, but has smaller 

 flowers, and appears to be the same as carnea. 



Scilla bifolia. — Identical with the plant itself so called in most English gardens. Came into 

 bloom March 6. 



Scilla sibirica var. albo-striata. — In bloom April 11. A alight variation from the ordinary 

 S. sibirica. 



Scilla amozna. — In bloom April 15. Two slightly different forma of this spacies were sent 

 under the erroneous names of S. hyacinthoides and S. sibirica. 



EFFECTS OF ACCLIMATIZATION. 



SPAEBOWS AND EABBITS. 



fT appears from Mr. Tillery's remark (p. 172), that Sparrows have become a 

 pest in Australia. Have they destroyed all the insects, and taken to the 

 ffsj 1 crops to prevent starvation ? If so, it might be well to establish sparrow 

 V clubs, which used to be general in the rural districts of England a few 

 years ago. In one district I recollect the club was dissolved when there were no 

 more birds to kill ; but I question, on careful observation, if all the mischief set 

 down to their account could be fairly traced to the sparrows, and certainly not 

 without a counterbalance of much good effected by them. A few years ago the 

 beautiful avenues of trees in the streets of New York and Brooklyn were so 

 much infested with insects, that many were stripped of every leaf, and the passers- 

 by were covered with vermin and filth. The sparrow was imported, and fed, 

 and miniature houses were built in the trees for them to roost and to feed in, 

 and they were taken as much care of as an English lord's tame pheasants. Mr. 

 Sparrow, of course, made himself quite at home at once, and repaid his importers 

 by making general war against the leaf-destroying insects, and now the trees are 

 gaining their original verdure. It has yet to be proved if the birds will become a 



