130 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



are many together, they will perfume the air to a con- 

 siderable distance. The best time for transplanting this 

 shrub is the autumn; because, as it begins to vegetate 

 early in the spring, it should not be then disturbed. It 

 thrives best in a dry soil : if it has too much wet, it be- 

 comes mossy, and stinted in its growth, and produces 

 fewer flowers. It should enjoy the morning sun, and re- 

 main abroad all the year. 



Of the other species of Daphne, the Silvery-leaved, a 

 native of the South of France, is one of the prettiest. 

 This will not bear transplanting, and must be sheltered in 

 severe frost. It should be sparingly watered. The leaves 

 of this shrub are white, small, soft, and shining like satin : 

 between these leaves come out thick clusters of white 

 flowers, bell-shaped, and tinged with yellow on the inside. 



The Trailing Daphne grows naturally in many parts of 

 Europe : it is remarkably sweet-scented, and has purple 

 or white flowers, which appear very early in spring. It 

 may be treated like the Mezereon, but that it will not 

 bear transplanting. 



The Spurge-laurel, Daphne laureola — in French, Zawr^oZ^ 

 male ; f aureole des Anglois : in Italian, laureola maschio — 

 has flowers of a yellowish green, which, if the season be 

 not very severe, come out soon after Christmas. It is 

 a native of Britain, and many other parts of Europe. This 

 shrub, like the Mezereon, is very useful as a medicine ; 

 but, like that also, should be trusted to the skill of expe- 

 rienced persons only. It is a hardy plant, and may be 

 treated like the Mezereon. The plants may be removed 

 from the woods, or elsewhere, in the autumn ; and at that 

 season may be increased by cuttings. 



The Alpine may be treated like the Trailing Daphne. 

 The Flax-leaved Daphne has flowers like the Mezereon, 

 only smaller: they blow in June, and are very sweet- 



