298 LILIACE.^. 



M. botryoides (Grape Hyacinth). — This species produces 

 erect, narrow leaves, from 6 to 9 inches long. The flower- 

 scapes are about the length of the leaves, bearing a lax raceme 

 of globose lively blue flowers, which open in April and May. 

 Native of many districts of southern Europe. There is a hand- 

 some white variety. 



M. comosum {Tasselled Grape Hyacinth). — This has broadly- 

 linear leaves, flaccid and spreading and glaucous. The flower- 

 scape is from 6 inches to i foot high, bearing a very open long 

 raceme of somewhat angular cylindrical flowers, and having six 

 rather long spreading teeth at the mouth of the tube. They 

 are purple, and supported on stalks about twice their own 

 length. Native of southern Europe. Flowers in April and 

 May. There is a singular monstrosity of this species, com- 

 monly known as the Feather Hyacinth. It exceeds the species 

 both in stature and in ornamental efl"ect. It grows about 18 

 inches or 2 feet high. The flowers are cut into numerous thread- 

 like processes, and the pedicles and main stalk assume the same 

 colour as the flower, and the whole inflorescence often exceeds i 

 foot in length, and has a charming and graceful appearance. 



M. moschatum {Musk Hyacinth). — So far as colour is con- 

 cerned, this is one of the least attractive plants imaginable. 

 They are green or greenish yellow, and set in most rigid style 

 on the short stiff scape ; but they are deliciously fragrant — and 

 for that reason, if for no other, it should be in every collection 

 of plants. But apart from the colour of the flowers, it is a neat 

 little subject, forming handsome tufts of stout, channeled, glau- 

 cous leaves, arching outwards, and lasting longer green and 

 pleasing than those of any of its kindred. Flowers in May, 

 June, and July. Native of the Levant. 



M. racemosum {Starch Hyacinth). — A very common spring- 

 flowering bulb in most old gardens. It produces long flaccid 

 leaves, pale green, and more or less prostrate. The flower- 

 scapes are erect, about 6 inches high, terminating in close ra- 

 cemes of egg-shaped, deep purplish-blue flowers, with the teeth 

 closing the mouth of the tube white. Flowers in April and 

 May. Native of southern Europe. 



Ornithogalum {Star of Bethlehem). — This is an interesting 

 and pretty genus of hardy and half-hardy bulbs. The hardy 

 section are mostly spring-flowering plants, and are less numer- 

 ous and varied in character than the tender section. They are 

 easily cultivated in any good garden-soil, and need not be fre- 

 quently disturbed when doing well ; and once every four or five 

 years will be often enough to divide them. They are propa- 

 gated by offsets. 



