KBVIEW. 137 



v :e time as this, which make a very pretty mixture, and are very 

 gay. The Snow-drop is one of the first; this pretty little flower 

 is too well known to need any description from me. There is 

 also the Winter Aconite, a bright yellow flower in the form of a 

 buttercup, and which does not exceed two inches in height, and 

 w very gay and showy. There are likewise all the varieties of the 

 Crocus. Nor must I forget to mention the Hepatica, which is the 

 prettiest of all the small flowers which bloom at this time, amongst 

 them are several varieties ; blue, pink and white, with a double 

 and single variety of each colour : when in full bloom they are 

 very showy especially when combined with the Crocus and other 

 flowers of the season. They are quite hardy, and flower as well 

 in town as the country ; they will scarcely require any water during 

 the time they are in bloom. 



Verbena, or as it is now called Aloysia citriodora, but which is 

 more generally known by the name of the Lemon plant, may be 

 procured at this early season ; but the leaves are extremely de- 

 licate, and must be kept close, as four or five minutes' exposure 

 to the air would destroy the whole of them, having been forced 

 into leaf so much before its natural time, for the sake of the beau- 

 tiful scent which is emitted from it when touched. It is certainly 

 a delightful little plant, and ought not to be absent from any room. 

 It will require very little water each day, as, from the weakness 

 of its leaves, it is not able to bear much, and should be placed in 

 the warmest part of the room, where it will thrive very well, until 

 about April, when it may occasionally be placed outside the 

 window to receive the fresh air, but must not remain outside du- 

 ring the night until the middle of June. Indeed I should recom- 

 mend keeping it in the room all night during the whole of the 

 summer, as it preserves the scent much better as well as keeps a 

 fine green to the leaf. The leaves of this plant, when picked off 

 and carefully dried, will retain their beautiful odour for several 

 years after, if put in thin paper or a small silk bag, to keep the 

 air from them. 



LecheiiauUiaformosa. — This beautiful little plant, in its appear- 

 ance, is very similar to the Erica, and like those plants require to 

 be grown in bog or peat earth. It is also remarkable for the great 

 length of time it continues flowering, commencing early in Feb- 

 ruary, and can scarcely be said to have finished its bloom the 

 November following. In its growth it never attains a very great 

 size, and is particularly adapted for small fancy vases, as it does 

 not require a large pot, indeed it flourishes much better when 

 grown in small-sized pots, and has a bright blood-coloured flower, 

 but when confined in in a room it is almost sure to change to a 

 bright orange, but by being exposed to the air it very soon regains 

 its former colour ; it is not so difficult to keep as the Erica, but like 

 them should never be allowed to get quite dry, but always be 

 kept moist, at the same time not to be saturated with water. It 

 i* very hardy, and will bear to be exposed to the air during the 



Vol. VII. No. 76. a 



