42 CRUCIFER^. 



massing in the flower-garden. There are two distinct forms of 

 this ; one with the variegation white, and the plant more weakly 

 and small in all its parts — in the other, the variegation is 

 yellowish or sulphur, and the plant more robust : both are use- 

 ful, but the smaller-growing plant is the more elegant of the 

 two. Native of Sicily, Greece, the Caucasus, and other parts 

 of Russia. 



A. alpina {Alpine Rock- Cress). — This form does not differ 

 much from A. albida, except in respect of freeness of growth, 

 in which it is inferior to that species, and in the smaller size 

 and closer toothing of the leaves. The flowers are equally pro- 

 fuse and white, and appear from March till June, but it is less 

 disposed to flower either before or after those periods. Enjoys 

 a very wide distribution on the Alps, and affects a variety of 

 habitats, but chiefly stony places. 



A. blepharophylla {Calif ornian Rock- Cress). — This species 

 is of recent introduction. It is nearly allied to A. aibida, hav- 

 ing the same mode of growth and similar character of foliage ; 

 the flowers, also, are of the albida type, and are of a rosy-purple 

 colour. The flowers appear in May and June. Best adapted 

 for culture on rockwork, but in dry warm soils wifl likely prove 

 hardy in most parts of the country in the open border. Height 

 about 9 inches. Native of California. 



A. lucida {Shining Rock- Cress). — The species in this case is 

 of much less ornamental value than the variety named A. hicida 

 variegata, which is undoubtedly one of the handsomest of 

 hardy yellow variegated plants at present in cultivation. The 

 plant grows in close tufted habit, producing close rosettes of 

 shining dark-green leaves beautifully margined with bright 

 yellow. About 4 to 6 inches high. The flowers are white, but 

 should not be allowed to appear in the variety, as the foliage 

 becomes injured thereby. The normal form is a pretty plant 

 on rockwork, being very neat and compact in growth. Native 

 of Hungary. 



A. procurrens {Prociirrent Rock- Cress). — This is a pretty, 

 smooth-growing, prostrate plant, with entire, shining, almost 

 linear leaves, entire on the margins. Flower largish, pure 

 white, rather profuse, appearing in April, May, and June. 

 Height 6 to 9 inches. I have grown this plant for greenhouse 

 decoration in shallow well-drained pots, and found it most use- 

 ful in the end of February and throughout March for ornament- 

 ing front stages. A very pretty variety with variegated leaves 

 is not very plentiful in gardens, but it is a beautiful plant, and 

 should be more popular once it is more widely known than it 

 is at present. Native of Carniola and Hungary. Easily pro- 



