88 SWISS FLOWERS. 



in spikes. It is not uncommon in mountain-meadows in 

 the east of Switzerland. 



In arriving at the Gentians which rise only a few 

 inches from the ground, we have first of all G. acaulis, 

 so well known as a cultivated plant, and frequently 

 forming the edging of borders in English gardens. Its 

 flower is the largest of all the Gentians, and has a won- 

 derful depth of blue in it, with oblong markings down the 

 throat, spotted with yellowish-green. Its five large lobes 

 are divided by a kind of gusset. It does not usually 

 grow in masses, but may be seen with its flowers, one 

 or two together, among the grass on the mountain-side. 

 The species cannot be mistaken, but there are various 

 varieties, or sub-species, according to the more or less 

 pointed lobes, the markings of the throat, and the greater 

 or less change of the colour to yellow in drying. They all 

 dry badly, however. G. Alpina is like a small variety of 

 G. acaulis, but grows in masses instead of being isolated, and 

 has a yellow-green tint in its colour. 



We now come to the smaller Gentians ; and here, indeed, 

 it is often difficult to decide on the diff'erent species. It is 

 G. verna (Fig. 67), and G. Bavarica (Fig. 69), that are 

 perplexing. For situation often makes a difference in their 

 growth and in the size of their leaves, and renders them 

 more or less imbricated. Both are extremely beautiful; 

 both keep their colour very fairly well when dried. Verna 



