66 CARYOPHYLLACE.^. 



and mixed in their relationships, and, moreover, very generally 

 weedy and of little ornamental value. There are, however, a 

 few sorts well Avorthy of a litde attention, especially from those 

 having to manage light dry sandy or stony soils, and where 

 much rock, natural or artificial, occurs. Easily propagated by 

 seed and division ; the seed to be sown any time in spring or early 

 summer, out of doors, either where it is desired to be perman- 

 ently placed, or in a nursing-bed for the purpose of transplant- 

 ing at convenience. The division may take place at any time 

 in the growing season, but not so successfully in late autumn 

 or winter, the plants being very liable to be thrown out by 

 frost. 



A. balearica (Corsicau Sandwort). — The whole stature, in- 

 cluding the flowers, in elevation above the leaves in this 

 species does not exceed 2 or 3 inches ; but it extends rapidly 

 along the surface of the soil in that which is congenial, and to 

 be so does not imply depth nor quality, for it creeps along the 

 face of a stone, or uninviting rock, or sandy bank, much more 

 happily than in rich borders, in which, if the texture is heavy 

 and retentive, it refuses to grow, perishing often in winter. 

 The leaves are bright shining green, somewhat egg-shaped, and 

 succulent. The flowers small, white, and starlike, very num- 

 erous, and continuous throughout summer. Native of Corsica. 



A. grandiflora [Large-flowered Sa7idw or t). — This species is also 

 tufted and carpet-like, with awl-shaped, flattish leaves. Flowers 

 on longish stalks, large, pure white, opening pretty continuously 

 throughout early and late summer. Well adapted to grow in 

 light dry soil, in mixed borders, rockwork, and for clothing 

 sandy bare banks. Propagate by seed and division. Native 

 of the Swiss Alps. 



A. montana {Mountain Saiidwort). — This is a dwarf, diffuse- 

 growing species, with rapidly-extending stems, which do not, 

 however, root in the process of extension so freely as many other 

 Sandworts. The leaves are very narrow, lance-shaped, some- 

 what downy, and delicately fringed. Flowers large, pure white, 

 one to a stalk, and very prof jse throughout early summer. An 

 admirable rock-plant, and very useful and pretty in the front 

 lines of mixed borders in light sandy soil. Propagate by seed 

 and division. Native of France and Europe generally. 



Cerastium {Mouse-ear Chickweed). — Owing to the great 

 popularity that one of the species has attained by its beautiful 

 effects in combination with gayer-flowering plants in the mass- 

 ing system, this is more widely represented than most of the 

 old-fashioned herbaceous genera in British gardens. The 

 Woolly C, or, as it is more commonly named, " Snow-in-sum- 



