12 BKITISH PLANTS. 



nature, we should have plants which might fairly challenge com- 

 parison with the showy heauties of warmer climes. Any one knows 

 what has been done with the Primrose, tlie Daisy, the Pansy, and the 

 Violet ; and if some ]iatriotic lover of nature would transfer some of 

 the botanical ornaments of our hills and dales to his garden beds, 

 and devote to them a moderate share of time and attention, I am con- 

 fident that very much might be done, and that the devotion of such 

 time would be repaid in the production of such lovely novelties as the 

 imagination has not yet pictured, and would confer a very, great 

 benefit on the horticultural world in general. Tne object woidd not 

 be at all d'lEcult of attainment, and I hope many fair ladies, witii 

 their tender hands, may he induced thus to effect the removal of some 

 of our own sweet flowers from their wild homes beside the mountain 

 stream and woodland glade. 



Cypripedium calccohcs.— This lovely plant is certainly the queen 

 of Biitish Orchids, and it is to be lamented it is so rare. It is gene- 

 rally said to be an " inhabitant of woods in the north of England," 

 but we question if plants of it could be procured at all in the wild 

 state, or in their native habitat. So very rare is it, that we are in- 

 formed by a gentleman who has a large clump in his possession, that 

 C. parvitiorum has been frequently shown for it at the Edinburgh 

 exhibitions. Now, independently of the superior size of C. calceolus, 

 which is nearly double that of C. parviflorum, the calyx of the former 

 is yelloAvish-green, while that of the latter is greenish-brown — in 

 mature specimens brown with green tips. Cypripedium calceolus 

 flowers about the middle of May. The clump already mentioned is 

 growing in sandy peat, and has not been moved for twenty years. 



Melittis mcIisophyUum. — In general appearance this plant is not 

 unlike the Sages. Though it has nothirg very remarkable about it, 

 yet it is well worthy of a place in tlie flower-garden. During June 

 and July its pretty pink and white blossoms form no mean object of 

 attraction, though, on its leaves being handled, the same unpleasant 

 perfume common to the dea or dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum), 

 may be perceived.* It shot;ld be grown in good loam, and propagated 

 by dividing the roots, by cuttings struck in heat, and, perhaps, by 

 seeds, but this I have not vet ascertained. 



Pincjuicula grcnidifora — Few of our flowering plants, or, indeed, 

 those of most otlier countries, sur])ass in simple loveliness the present 

 subject of our remarks. Hooker says, " This plant, apparently as rare 

 on the Continent as ia Britain, and perfectly distinct from P. vulgaris, 

 may be easily cultivated for a number of years. The old leaves die 

 away in winter, and buds, or hybernacula, are formed, which expand 

 into perfect individuals in spring. Few plants exhibit a more beau- 

 tiful appearance early in the year than a cluster of Pinguicula graudi- 

 flora, blossoming under the shelter of a common frame." It may be 

 raised from seed. I have found P. vulgaris glowing in rotten blocks 

 of wood, kept always moist by a mountain rivulet. P. lusitanica, 

 with its pretty pale lilac blossoms, is found on the Mourne Moun- 

 tains. If a cross could be effected between this and grandiflora, as 

 it is highly probable it might, so as to have the size of grandiflora 



