PERWINKLE. 287 



is, it cannot fail to interest ; especially as the Perwinkle 

 is in France esteemed as the emblem of sincere friendship, 

 in their mystic language of nosegays, when sent as pre- 

 sents between lovers and friends. The country people in 

 Italy make garlands of it for their dead infants, for which 

 reason they call it Jior di morto [death's flower]. 



PHILLYREA. 



CASSINE CAPENSIS. 



RHAMNE^. PENTANDRIA TRYGYNIA. 



This is an evergreen shrub, bearing white blossoms, 

 which blow in July or August. It should be housed in 

 September, and placed abroad again in May. In the open 

 ground it will thrive well without shelter; and Evelyn 

 says, " is as hardy as the Holly itself." It must be 

 sparingly watered. 



This shrub is very similar to the Alaternus, from 

 which it may be distinguished by the position of the leaves; 

 which are opposite on the Phillyrea, alternate in the Ala- 

 ternus. 



The Alaternus is not well adapted for pots, on account 

 of its far-spreading roots ; or it would be particularly de- 

 sirable to a lover of plants, as being one which the taste- 

 ful Evelyn prided himself upon bringing into proper 

 notice. 



PHLOX. 



POLEMONIACE^. PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



Called also Lychnidea. 



These plants are chiefly North American, and most of 

 them tolerably hardy. They are small, the blossoms pur- 



