loo WILD, OR NATIVE FLOWERS. 



or more somewhat smaller bells m,ay be found at intervals clustered on 

 the flower stem. The beautifully-folded, deep purple buds are sur- 

 rounded by the pointed bracts and leaves. 



This species is less marked than G. Andnwsii (Griseb) by the 

 toothed appendages between the lobes of the flower; the absence of 

 these plaited folds gives our plant a wider, more open flower, which 

 renders it more attractive to the eye of the florist. There is something 

 almost disappointing in the closed sac-like blossom of the 



Closed Gentian — Gentiana Andretvsii, (Griseb.) 



Lovely as it is, one would like to peep within the closed lips, which 

 so provokingly conceal the interior. The tips of the corolla are white,* 

 but the sac-like flower is of a full azure-blue, striped in some cases with 

 a deeper colour. There are often as many as five buds and blossoms 

 clustered at the summit of the flower stem, and in the axils of the deep 

 green, smooth and glossy leaves. 



On parting the lips of the closed corolla we see at the narrowed neck 

 some toothed and sharply jagged appendages, which also may be observed 

 in many others of the Gentians, in greater or lesser degree. This handsome 

 species is about eighteen inches high, with flowers more than an inch 

 in length, and loves rich leaf-mould near water on rocky islands. 



Fringed Gentian — Gentiana crinita (Fro^l). 



Of the Fringed Gentians, we boast three forms, all charming and 

 attractive, and it seems strange that such beautiful flowers should not 

 have found their places long ere this in our gardens. The seeds would 

 not be difficult to obtain from the tallest plant G. crinita, as it blooms 

 earlier and ripens its pods before the heat of the Summer has entirely 

 given place to frosts. 



I have generally found the tall Fringed Gentian on dry, rather 

 gravelly soil, and river banks. The buds of this flower are beautifully 

 folded, almost twisted, and are terminal, growing singly, on long foot 

 stalks ; the corollas rarely unfold fully; the plaited folds are inconspicuous 

 or absent. The colour of the flower of this tall species is light blue, 

 and white at the base ; the upper edges of the corollas are elegantly 

 fringed and cut. Though taller, and the bells more abundant, the lower, 

 deeper coloured fringed varieties are more lovely. 



There is a bitter principle in the roots of most of the Gentians : 

 especially is it strongly developed in the Five-flowered Gentian 

 — G. (]Hin(]i(ijlora, (Lam.) 'I'his bitter i)rin(iple is one of the character- 



