62 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



Street, near the palace.^' Its flowers are white, and three 

 or four flower-stems sprmg from one root: it prefers a 

 loose soil and a shady situation, and may be annually in- 

 creased by parting the roots in September. When the 

 flowers decay, the green leaves come out, which last till 

 Midsummer: from which time till autumn the roots re- 

 main inactive. It should be planted in a pot seven or 

 eight inches wide, and an equal mixture of bog earth and 

 rotten leaves will be the best soil. It must be watered 

 every evening in dry summer weather. The earth may 

 be covered with moss, which will tend to preserve the 

 moisture in the summer, and to protect the roots from 

 frost in the winter. 



BOX TREE. 



BUXUS. 



EUPHORBIACE^. MONOECIA TETRANDRIA. 



French, le buis ; le bois beni [blessed wood]. — Italian, busso ; bosso; 

 bossolo ; in the Brescian territory, martel [hammer wood] ; buz. 



Properly speaking, there is but one species of Box ; 

 varying much in size, and somewhat in the colour of its 

 leaves. It may be easily propagated both by seeds and 

 cuttings ; but is so slow of growth, as to be many years in 

 attaining any considerable size. It is therefore advisable 

 to purchase it of the size desired, rather than to raise it 

 at home. It will thrive in any soil or exposure, and 

 under the deepest shade. It is an evergreen, and re- 

 markable for its fine glowing colour: particularly the 

 dwarf kind. In the story of Rimini, it is called " sunny- 

 coloured box." " The pleasantness of its verdure," says 

 Evelyn, " is incomparable." 



The Box-tree, though in gardens seldom seen more 



