90 TROP^OLACE^. 



confined to the Isle of Walney in Lancashire, and succeeds 

 best in light, well-drained, but rich soil. 



G. striatum {Striped Cra?iesbi/l). — For mixed borders this 

 is perhaps the handsomest of the Cranesbills that are in culti- 

 vation ; and it is, at the same time, one of the most commonly 

 cultivated. The plant is dwarf and compact, rounded in out- 

 line, about a foot high. The leaves are bright lively green, 

 those of the roots divided into five-toothed lobes, and those 

 of the stems are three-lobed and toothed. The flowers are 

 white, veined with delicate lines of rosy red, and are borne, 

 two or three together, on a stalk ; they appear in greater or 

 less profusion from early summer till late autumn. Native of 

 Italy and other south European countries. 



Erodium {Heron' s-b ill). — The same culture is required in 

 the case of the present genus as that advised for the last. The 

 first species is easily managed in the open border in most parts 

 of the country, the other is best adapted for rockwork every- 

 where. 



E. Manescavi. — This is one of the largest-growing species, 

 reaching the height of about i foot. The leaves are pinnately 

 divided. The flowers are borne, umbel fashion, at the top of 

 stout stems ; are rather large, and pale purple, and appear in 

 early summer. Native of the Pyrenees. 



E. Reichardi. — This is quite a contrast to the last, being a 

 low prostrate plant, a few inches high. The very numerous 

 small leaves, roundish in form, are undivided, but bluntly 

 toothed on the margin. The flowers are pure white, solitary 

 on their stalks, and appear continuously from spring till autumn. 

 Native of Minorca. 



TROP^OLACE^. 



We are all very familiarly acquainted with the various annual 

 and hybrid representatives of this order, which are so worthily 

 popular in the gardens of rich and poor; but of the hardy 

 perennial species of Tropceolum we see and know very little 

 indeed. There are several species reputed hardy, but I can 

 only speak of them from hearsay observations, and dare hardly 

 recommend them for culture in the open air in all parts of the 

 country. I have seen T. htberosum and T. polyphyllum tried 

 in the north of Scotland, in warm borders under walls, with no 

 very encouraging results. They did not appear to succumb to 

 cold directly, but became a prey to many of the ills that attend 



