The Gentiana acaulis is an herbaceous perennial, grows 

 freely in strong earth, produces large tufts of flowers particu- 

 larly showy, and forms an excellent edging for flower-beds ; 

 it flowers more freely if suffered to remain than when fre- 

 quently removed, and is increased by seeds and by separating 

 the roots in the spring : excessive drought is injurious to it. 

 Perhaps no herbaceous plant excels this in brilliancy of colour; 

 and although humble in growth, possesses particular attrac- 

 tions. It flowers with greatest beauty in April and May, 

 though in the summer and autumn a few blooms will occa- 

 sionally appear : when growing in its wild state it has little or 

 no stem. 



It is a native of many parts of Europe — some say of En- 

 gland. In London it does not thrive well, and rarely flowers: 

 this may be attributed to the impurity of the air, as at the 

 Nurseries a short distance from the metropolis it is seen flower- 

 ing abundantly : a shaded situation is favourable to this plant, 

 but pure air is indispensable. 



REFERENCES TO THE PLATi;. 



1 . Section of the corolla spread, showing the insertion of the stamens. 



2. Pistil. 



