BRITISH PLANTS. 167 



is sometimes cultivated, and most frequently used as an edging. It is 

 of easy culture, and is found wild on rocky sea-shores, and the summits 

 of our highest mountains, showing strikingly the similarity in character 

 of the marine and the mountain breeze. It flowers in July and August. 

 The flowers are generally rose-coloured ; but the Rev. Gerard E. 

 Smith finds a white-flowered variety in Cornwall. This variety is 

 likewise sometimes cultivated in gardens, although more rare than the 

 rose-coloured one. 



Polygonum bistorta. Bistort, or Snakeweed. A rather showy 

 plant, bearing a cylindrical spike of flesh-coloured flowers, which 

 appear in June and July. It is easily cultivated, and likes a rich 

 moist soil, and shady situation ; it is a perennial. 



Polygonum amphibiam, or Amphibious Persicaria. This is per- 

 haps more handsome, although more common than the preceding 

 species ; the flowers of this are of a bright rose-colour, and the plant is 

 altogether of a more stout make, and more showy. It is frequent in 

 moist ground, and by river sides, &c., and flowers in July and August. 

 It is a perennial, and may be cultivated with little care in a damp, 

 shady border ; the kind of soil is a matter of very little importance 

 with this plant ; but give it abundance of water in dry weather ; keep 

 the earth around it always as moist as possible. 



Daphne laureola, or Spurge Laurel. This is a very fine ever- 

 green shrub, which grows in woods and thickets, &c., throughout 

 England ; but is not so common in Scotland. It deserves a place in 

 the shrubbery, and will grow well under trees where many other 

 shrubs would not. 



JuNiPERUs communis, or Common Juniper. This is likewise a 

 beautiful shrub, growing in woods and heaths ; but most frequent in 

 Scotland. It is very variable in size ; but grows to a good height 

 when cultivated. It is of easy culture. 



Allium ursinum. Broad leaved Garlic, or Ramsons. This is a 

 very showy species, bearing umbels of large white flowers, which 

 appear in moist woods and on shady banks in July. It has a strong 

 scent like that of garden onions (which indeed is common to all the 

 species of the genus, of which it is one), and this militates against its 

 claims to a place in the flower-garden, for the exhalation of such a 

 powerful odour prevents the enjoyment of the sweeter scent of other 

 flowers. It is useful, however, for planting under trees or bushes where 

 other things would not do, for it thrives remarkably well in such situa- 

 tions. It likes plenty of moisture. 



Hyacinthus non-scriptus. JVild Hyacinth or Blue-bell. This 

 sweet gem of the woodland surely has claims to be ranked as an orna- 

 mental plant, for in gracefulness and beauty, and showiness, it is be- 

 hind few. Its drooping flowers appear in May. It is a bulbous-rooted 

 plant, and will do best in a shady situation ; the roots should not be 

 lifted, except when this is rendered necessary by tlieir being too much 

 overgrown. Lifting, when done, should be done in August or early in 

 September. 



Or( his mascula, or Early Purple Orchis. For remarks on the 

 cultivation of this and the other British species of Orchis, we beg to 

 refer the reader to the interesting paper by Mr. Johnston, already 



