FENNEL-FLOWER 103 



Evening Primrose. See CEnothera biennis. 



Everlasting Flowers. The annual plants known as 

 " Everlastings " include the following families, viz., 

 Aeroelin'ium, Ammo' Hum, Gnapha'lium, Heli- 

 chry'sum, Helip'terum, Lo'nas, Rhodan'the, Wait'zia 

 and Xeran'themum. Although Helichrysum is 

 generally considered the true Everlasting or 

 Immortelle of the French, the peculiar quality with 

 which it is endowed is common to them all, so that 

 they retain their form, colour, and brightness long 

 after being gathered. The fashion for drying them 

 for winter decoration is a thing of the past in this 

 country, though on the Continent they are still 

 used in cemeteries. The time to gather them for 

 preservation is all-important, as if cut when fully 

 expanded they drop in the drying. Pluck the 

 flowers just before they are in full bloom, and hang 

 in a bunch from a nail on the wall, head down 

 wards, in some cool dry shed. Select if possible 

 a sunny day when free of moisture for the operation, 

 and should by any chance the heads fall oflP, they 

 can be wired in the usual florist's fashion. The 

 Amaran'thus family might also be mentioned, 

 though quite distinct from the others named. In 

 Portugal they are largely used for decorating 

 churches, and last a considerable length of time. 



False Daisy. See Bellium. 



Feather Cockscomb. See Celosia plumosa. 



Fennel-Flower. See Nigella damascena. 



