BORAGIXACE.E. 205 



a wild state. Any of the other hardy European or Asiatic 

 species may be used in the same way, but none of them are 

 worthy of a place in a select mixed border, and all are too 

 gross for the rockwork. 



Arnebia ecliioides, syns. Anchusa echioides and Litho- 

 spermum erectum. — A very handsome plant, with erect stems, 

 terminating in a bold compact truss of purple and yellow 

 flowers. The leaves are oblong, clothed as is the stem with 

 conspicuous hairs. Flowers in early summer, continuing for a 

 couple of months. Height about i8 inches. Native of the 

 Caucasus. A handsome border-plant, not easy to keep. Suc- 

 ceeds best in rich light loam or sandy peat and loam. Pro- 

 pagate by cuttings and by seed. 



Eritrichium nanus. — This is, so far as I am aware, the 

 only species. It is a lovely, rather dense-growing, diminutive, 

 and somewhat delicate alpine plant, reaching only 3 or 4 inches 

 above ground. The leaves are lance-shaped and densely hair}', 

 as is nearly every other part of the plant. It blooms very 

 freely, the flowers being produced singly, and are deep azure 

 blue, opening in June and lasting for some weeks. It is a 

 native of lofty stations on the Alps, bordering on the extreme 

 limits of vegetation, and during the short period of activity it 

 enjoys it is drenched with snow-drip. It is very rare in cultiva- 

 tion, and our experience of it is limited ; but, like other sub- 

 jects from like habitats, it must be treated to the nearest imi- 

 tation of its natural circumstances that we can attain to in 

 art. A thoroughly well-drained yet moist position on rock- 

 work during the growing period, and a long and dry rest 

 period, would be the most likely treatment; and the soil should 

 be porous sandy loam and peat, the sand predominating, and 

 the whole compact. 



Lithospermum {Gro??m<e/l). — A very^ pretty genus of neat- 

 growing plants, some of which are somewhat shrubby in cha- 

 racter. They succeed best in light, well-drained, sandy loam, 

 and are propagated by division and cuttings and seed. 



L. prostratum {Prostrate Gromwell). — A very pleasing and 

 pretty spreading prostrate plant, with woody branches and 

 stems. The leaves are narrow, lance-shaped, and hairy. The 

 flowers are borne in small terminal panicles, and are deep blue 

 with a dash of red. They open in May and June. The plant 

 will succeed alike well in border or rockwork if well drained. 



L. purpureo-csemleum {Ci-eeping Gromwcll). ■ — A prostrate 

 plant, but often attaining the height of 9 inches or i foot in 

 dry, deep, rich loam. The plant sends out numerous prostrate 

 main stems, which extend in luxuriant individuals 2 or 3 feet. 



