NYMPHzEACE.E. 29 



bronzy foliage, and the effect produced is charming. Flowers 

 in April and May. Native of Japan, but quite hardy. 



E. pinnatum {Phmafe E.) — This species grows about the 

 same height as the large-flowered E., with smaller leaflets sup- 

 ported on more slender stalks. The flowers, borne in rather 

 dense racemes, are yellowish, and appear in April and jNIay. 

 The variety named elegans is the best, and is a very desirable 

 plant for partially-shaded borders. Native of Persia. 



E. violaceum {Purplish E) — The leaflets in this species are 

 narrower in proportion to the breadth than in the last two 

 species. The flowers are white, tinted with pale purple, and 

 appear in April and May. By some this is regarded, and not 

 without reason, as a variety of the large -flowered E. ; the 

 stature and habit in both forms are nearly the same, and in 

 other respects they are not markedly distinct for the purposes 

 of decoration. Native of Japan. 



Jeffersonia diphylla {Tic in-leaved Jeffersonia). — This, so far 

 as I am aware, is the only species. It is not deficient in beauty, 

 the flowers being large, abundantly produced when well cul- 

 tivated, though individually somewhat fugaceous. The flowers, 

 as has been said, are large, about an inch across, white, with 

 conspicuous yellow stamens ; and the leaves are curiously pro- 

 duced in single pairs at the extremity of the stalks. It is a 

 native of moist shady woods in N. America, and is best 

 adapted for culture in semi-shady places in deep rich peat 

 and loam freely mixed with sand. Under such circumstances 

 it attains its greatest perfection; but I have seen it very beauti- 

 ful and interesting, but short-lived in its display, in the light 

 sandy soil of the gardens at Kew, and in a southern aspect. 

 It is a plant rarely seen in private gardens, and not always to 

 be met with in botanical gardens in this country; but it is 

 worthy a place in every garden, if the conditions necessary to 

 its wellbeing can only be secured. 



NYMPH^ACE^. 



The members of this order are all aquatic or marsh plants. It 

 is an order of the grandest interest and beauty. All the world 

 has rung with the praise and fame of the regal Victoria, the 

 noblest of Water-Lilies ; and the sparkingly-beautiful species 

 and varieties of the tender N}Tnphaeas are plants of the love- 

 liest type. Although an attempt or two has been made, and 



