1871.] HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 281 



bulk of the order inhabits the warmer regions of the world, and cannot, therefore, 

 be made available for out-of-doors gardening in this country. Some, however, 

 are found in the temperate and northern latitudes, and amongst these we shall 

 find a few subjects worthy of culture for one purpose or another in our gardens. 



Acorus Ca.lSimus—S wect-Jlag. — An elegant, sedge-like plant, very well adapted 

 for introducing to the margins of lakes and streams of some size. It is indigenous 

 to some parts of England, and has been introduced, but is not regarded as indi- 

 genous, to Scotland. It grows about 3 feet high, in tufted masses, and extends 

 itself rapidly wherever the conditions are favourable to its existence, and is not, 

 therefore, well adapted for introducing to small pieces of water, which it would 

 soon overrun and choke up. The roots are highly aromatic, and in the dry state 

 form the calamus of the shops, which, notwithstanding the plant is very abundant 

 in the fen districts of England, is all imported from the Levant. The leaves are 

 linear, bright green, and there is a good form with variegated leaves. They also 

 are aromatic, and were used in districts and countries where the plant abounded 

 for strewing the floors of dwellings in place of rushes, before advancing refinement 

 introduced carpets into use. In Poland, even recently, it was usual for distin- 

 guished visitors to be received with a strewing of fresh calamus leaves. The 

 flowers are simply curious, in cylindrical greenish spikes, accompanied by a green 

 spathe, which does not, however, enclose the spike. 



A. gramineus — Grass-leaved Sweet-flag. — A neat-growing tufted plant, with 

 linear leaves, growing about 9 inches high. It is not so dependent on moisture as 

 the last species, and may be grown successfully in any soil not subject to extremes 

 of drought. There is a handsome variegated form, well worth a place in collec- 

 tions of hardy variegated plants. The flowers, like those of calamus, are greenish- 

 yellow, and possess an interest only for the curious. The plant is a native of 

 China and Japan, and my experience of its hardiness is limited to the district of 

 London, where it is quite hardy. Both this and the preceding may be increased 

 by division in autumn and spring. 



Arum. — Of hardy Arums there are not many species. The spathe is always a 

 conspicuous feature in the inflorescence of the genus, but not always an ornamental 

 one. The spikes of fruit in some species, composed as they are of large red berries, 

 are undoubtedly ornamental, however ; and as they assume their greatest beauty 

 in autumn and early winter, they are of some importance where colour is desir- 

 able out of doors at that season. These berries have a special value besides their 

 ornamental quality. Those of A. maculatum are, according to Curtis, greedily 

 eaten by pheasants, and it is also said that the roots are relished by them. A. 

 italicum, which is nearly allied to, and closely resembles in berry and roots, 

 maculatum, would probably be equally welcome to those birds. The whole order 

 is remarkable for possessing acrid, burning, and poisonous properties ; a few 

 species, such as calamus, are exceptions, being aromatic and harmless. The 

 species of Arum are all acrid and poisonous in the fresh state, but the poisonous 

 qualities are dissipated by the process of drying, and the roots of several of the 

 species form a wholesome farinaceous food when dried and cooked. Those of A. 

 maculatum were in former days used to make starch, when not only ladies but 

 gentlemen also thought it becoming to bedeck their necks and wrists with rufis 

 and frills. Gerard says it was "the most pure and white starch, but most hurtful 

 for the hands of the laundresse that hath the handling of it, for it choppeth and 

 blistereth and maketh the hands rough and rugged and withal smarting." The 

 roots are also manufactured into "Portland sago" by the inhabitants of the 

 island of that name, in which the plant is very plentiful. Arums are fit subjects 

 for introducing into shrubbery borders in moist, partially-shaded places. They 



