FROM THE SOCIETY'S GARDEISr. 



69 



only be given when tlie soil becomes dry. It strikes freely from 

 cuttings under ordinary treatment. 



This is a good addition to our greenhouse plants. 



Aug. 18, 1845. 



10. SiLENE ScHAFTA, S. G. Gmelin, in Bulletin Mosqn., 

 xii. 397 ; Walpers' JRepertorium, i. 276. 



Transmitted by Dr. Fischer, from the Botanic Garden, 

 Dorpat ; and from M. Vilmorin, Paris, in April, 1844. 



This proves to be a beautiful little herba- 

 ceous plant, producing a great number of 

 spreading slender downy stems, which form 

 compact tufts, and are terminated near the 

 extremity by 4 or 5 bright purple flowers 

 more than an inch long. Of these flowers 

 that at the extremity of the shoot opens first, 

 and those below it one after the other in suc- 

 cession, so that the branches are by degrees 

 covered all over with blossoms. Its stems 

 do not rise above six inches high, and render 

 it well suited for bedding out, or for cultiva- 

 ting among collections ofalpines, or for rock- 

 work, over which it will bend gracefully. 



It appears from the work of Walpers that 

 this species inhabits rocks on Mount Keri- 

 dach, in the Russian province of Talysch. 



It is a hardy perennial, which grows freely 

 in any light rich soil. It is increased by seeds, 

 which are produced freely, and flowers from 

 the end of June to October : the young plants 



from seed will not bloom before the second season. 



