170 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 
inches high, producing very elegant and delightfully fra- 
grant flowers, pure white, with a green spot on each 
petal near the point. The flowers resemble the Snow- 
drop, but are much larger, and appear about a month 
later. It is one of the most desirable of early flowering 
bulbs, and is suitable for rock-work or borders. The 
plants delight in a sheltered, partially shaded situation, 
and a light, well drained soil. This species is indigenous 
to Central Europe, abounding in woods and shaded sit- 
uations. It was introduced in 1596, and was dedicated 
to St. Agnes. In Parkinson’s Herbal it is described as 
the Great Early Bulbous Violet. It is rapidly propa- 
gated by offsets. See Engraving, Page 96. 
L. zestivum (The Summer Snowflake).—A very 
pretty drooping flower, with bright green spots on its 
white petals; but it is much less ornamental than the 
spring Snowflake. The leaves of this species are of a 
bright yellowish green; a rather uncommon condition, as 
the leaves of most bulbs have a bluish tinge, except when 
they are beginning to decay. It is a native of Europe, 
flowers in June, and is propagated by offsets. Cultiva- 
tion is the same as for the foregoing species. 
LIBERTIA. 
A beautiful genus of Iridaceous plants, natives of 
Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and China. But 
few of the species are what might be termed half-hardy. 
They are charming plants when they can be grown in 
the border, but will not endure much frost. They are 
not adapted to greenhouse culture. 
L. formosa.—A beautiful plant, either for sum- 
mer or winter, owing to the color of its foliage, which is 
a dark shining green, and it produces spikes of flowers 
of snowy whiteness, with a delicacy of some of the finer 
Orchids. It is neat, dwarf and compact, and has flow- 
ers much larger than those of the other species. 
