RANUNCULACErE. 2$ 



for the rockwork only, but those enumerated are the best of the 

 family for general ornamental purposes. 



Thalictrum {Meadow-Rue). — This genus comprises many 

 forms characterised by rather slight distinctions in a large ma- 

 jority of cases. The stamens are the most conspicuous organs 

 in the flowers in all except a very few species, and the prevail- 

 ing colour is greenish white, but the flowers are produced in 

 dense panicled masses, and continue in effect for a consider- 

 able time. Meadow-rues are not, however, plants of a select 

 character as regards their flowers, but some few of the smaller- 

 growing species are marked by foliage of a most graceful kind, 

 rivalling in delicacy of form and colour some of the charming 

 maiden-hair ferns. They are valuable, therefore, for many orna- 

 mental purposes, both in association with flowering plants and 

 with plants of fine or characteristic foliage. They all succeed 

 well in any ordinary good garden soil, and are propagated by 

 division of the roots in winter or spring, and also by seeds sown 

 out of doors in March in well-dug soil broadcast. The seed 

 of T. 7iiinus, in order to have well-established plants by the end 

 of May, if it is contemplated to use it in bedding-out, should 

 be sown in gentle heat early in March, and the plants pricked 

 out in shallow boxes filled with light rich earth, growing them 

 on under generous treatment, and gradually hardening them off 

 before planting-time. 



T. aquilegifolium {Columb'me-kaved Meadoiu-Riie). — In this 

 species the stems rise to the height of about 4 feet, clothed 

 with abundant foliage, and branching into many lateral and ter- 

 minal panicles of greenish or creamy-white flowers. The leaf- 

 stalks are several times divided, and the leaflets are large, dark 

 green, with a slightly glaucous hue, and oval in shape, and 

 toothed. This is one of the best and most distinct of the taller 

 forms. There are two or three varieties ; the best is atropur- 

 pureum, in which the stems and leaves are dark purple, with a 

 sub-glaucous tint. Flowers in May, June, and July. 



T. anemonoid.GS {Anemone-like Meadow-Eiie, syn. Anemone 

 thalictroides). - - This is a very interesting species. It grows 

 about 9 inches high, with graceful glaucous leaves, and little 

 panicles of pretty white flowers, in which the sepals are more 

 conspicuous than the stamens, and are petal-like. Best adapted 

 for cultivating on rockwork in deep moist soil and partial shade. 

 A double-flowered variety is in cultivation, and may be preferred 

 to the single one. Flowers in April and May. Native of North 

 America. 



T. flavum {Yellow Meadozv-Rue\^T\{\% species grows about 



