142 UMBELLIFER^. 



of the same character, or that are at least equally well adapted 

 to produce the same results. 



Astrantia (Maste7'wort). — There are five or six species of 

 this genus grown in botanical gardens in this country, and one 

 or tsvo are to be met with very rarely in private collections. 

 They are very easily cultivated, and are mountain-plants, often 

 inhabiting shady places. Sandy loam, moderately rich, suits 

 them well, and they are easily increased by division. The 

 species selected is, I believe, the most ornamental of the group, 

 and is quite worthy of a place in any collection of mixed her- 

 baceous border-plants. 



A. carniolia {Cai-niola Masterwori). — This plant grows 

 about I foot high, having a tuft of five-lobed root-leaves and 

 upright flower-stems bearing small, close, simple umbels of 

 dusky greenish pink flowers and a conspicuous star-like invo- 

 lucre, composed of twelve or more narrow lance-shaped leaves, 

 striped dull greenish-white and red. The flowers appear in 

 May and June, and often well through July if the plant is 

 encouraged with water, which it likes. Native of Carniola 

 and Carinthia in moist upland pastures. 



Eryngium {Eryngo). — This genus comprises several very 

 striking species, resembling some of the Thistles at first 

 sight, owing to the peculiar character of the involucral leaves 

 surrounding the usually dense, compact, bluntly spike-Hke 

 heads of flowers. They flourish best in light sandy soil, and 

 might be useful for the decoration of ruins ; and are not at 

 all unfit for mixed borders, being handsomely coloured in 

 all the parts in the upper half of the plants selected. They 

 are pretty objects for maceration, for the purpose of making 

 skeletonised bouquets and devices. The veins being stout, 

 woody, and elegantly arranged, render them very attractive 

 when well done in that way. 



E. amethystinum {Amethyst Eiymgo). — The plant grows be- 

 tween 2 and 3 feet high, with stout woody stems clothed with 

 deeply-cut and jagged hard leathery leaves, grey, green, or 

 glaucous often below, but growing gradually blue, as do also 

 the stems and every part of the plant, and increasing in depth 

 of shade as the flowers are reached. The involucral leaves are 

 about eight in number, enclosing the heads of flowers. Flowers 

 in July, lasting for a month or two. Native of the Tyrol, 

 Trieste, and Tivoli. 



E. maritimum {Sea-holly Eryngo). — This species grows i 

 foot or 1 8 inches high, with very rigid, erect, freely-branching 

 stems. The leaves are pale-bluish green, divided into three 

 lobes, stifily wavy and prickly on the margin. The involucre 



