GARDEN FLOWERS. I 53 



(large-flowered) ; hardy perennial ; 9 inches ; flowers whitish, in 

 May; Japan; 1835. ^- Musschiafium (Mussch's) ; hardy per- 

 ennial ; I foot ; flowers white, in May ; Japan ; 1838. E. pinna- 

 turn (pinnate) ; hardy perennial ; 9 inches ; flowers yellow, in 

 May; Persia; 1848. E. violaceuni (violet); hardy perennial; 

 9 inches ; flowers violet-color, in ]\Iay ; Japan ; 1835. 



Equisetum. Horsetail. [Equisetaceae.] Hardy herba- 

 ceous perennials of singular appearance, associating well 

 with Ferns and Lycopodiums about damp, shady rock-work. 

 They mostly prefer peaty soil and a damp situation, and are 

 increased by division of the root. 



Eragrostis. [Graminaceae.] A family of ornamental 

 grasses, succeeding in common garden soil. E. elegans, 

 Nainaquensis^ cylindrifolia^ and megastachya are the species. 



Eranthis. Winter Aconite. [Ranunculaceae.] The 

 Winter Aconite is one of those simple flowers which please 

 more on account of the season of their appearance than 

 their beaut}-. It begins to bloom in earliest spring, often 

 amidst frost and snow, and for a long time continues to 

 decorate the garden and shrubber)^ It is altogether not 

 more than three inches high, the flowers being seated one 

 on each pair of flat-lobed leaves, which terminate the stalk. 

 They look like little yellow^ cups with their bases surrounded 

 by green frills. It is tuberous, and only requires to be 

 planted in the soil and left to itself Planted just within 

 the margin of a flower-bed, it interferes with nothing ; and, 

 if placed thick enough, makes a conspicuous edging for 

 some time. It is also very well placed in patches among 

 shrubs, or in any other wilderness scener}-, wdiich it serves 

 to enliven at a drear}' season. 



E. hienialis (winter) ; hardy tuberous perennial ; 3 inches ; 

 flowers yellow, in April ; England. E. Siberica (Siberian) ; 

 hardy tuberous perennial ; 3 inches ; flowers yellow, in April ; 

 Siberia; 1826. 



