ACHLYS TRIPHYLLA. 
flat flower-heads are of a golden yellow so bright as to make quite a 
briiliant effect in a generous mass. The plant has a very wide distribu- 
tion, through all Southern Europe to Siberia ; and as such Southerly 
Yarrows are lovers of dry places, and as A. tomentosa has the special 
danger-signal of down, it is safer to put it in a warmish, dryish 
exposure in well-drained poor soil. In such circumstances it grows 
and spreads as easily as the rest of its easy kin, though it must be 
remembered that the hybrids which owe a share in their existence to 
A. Clavennae are apt to prove, anyhow, a trifle impermanent in the 
garden. All, however, can be pulled to pieces and multiplied at 
pleasure. 
A. umbellata is not far from Moschata, but of a much more pleasing 
style, approaching rather to Clavennae in its beauty, but dwarfer, 
with tiny oval leaves, cut into half a dozen pointed little lobes, and 
all densely white with wool laid on in a coat. Up, then, come the 
flower-stems, some 5 or 6 inches, carrying loose heads of good white 
blossom. A. wmellata frequents the rocky places of alpine and sub- 
alpine Greece—more especially the alpine. Romance may be quarried 
from the thought that J. 8. Mill once found a one-headed form between 
Megaspelaion and Styx, in Arcadia. (Perhaps the romance clings less 
to the finder than to the names of the places where he found it.) 
There is also, in gardens, another variety, often appearing as a species, 
under the name of A. argeniata ; it does not differ from the type, 
except in the added charm of being much more refulgent in its silvery 
whiteness. 
A. Wilczekii, finally, forms lush handsome stretches of great grey 
rosettes curiously suggestive of masses of Saxifraga Cotyledon gone 
limp and ashen, and with a fine saw-edge to each leaf. The flower- 
stems, however, are gawky, and the flowers of a coarse dinginess un- 
pardonable. 
Achlys triphylla is a neat and unassuming little Berberidaceous 
stranger from North America, with a trefoil of clear green leaves. It 
is best left to fill up some unconsidered corner under shrubs at its 
own free will. 
Aciphylla is a race of Umbellifers from New Zealand, much more 
resembling in their habit very fine fierce, needle-leaved Agaves. A 
stiff mass or tuft of Aciphylla makes a brave effect in the garden, but 
in England their culture can hardly be generally recommended ; nor 
need it be pressed ; for, though in warm corners and in good, per- 
fectly-drained soil they may be caused to thrive, their beauty is not 
so compelling as to make them worth any excess of care. The larger 
species, making spiny masses from 2 to 5 feet high, are Colensot, 
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