l'Ll .MBAGO LARPEXT.i:. 123 



The plant may be left in the borders throughout the year, in favourable situations, 

 upon a dry subsoil ; but, as a general rule, we would advise the same precautions 

 as suggested for several other plants previously figured — protection from long 

 continued rains in autumn, and a covering of ashes, sand, or dry fern leaves, during 

 the winter months. But even with these precautions, plants thus exposed will 

 rarely present so favourable an appearance as those which have been preserved in 

 a cold frame or dry cellar. When dug up and potted, the tops should be allowed 

 to remain uncut whilst they continue green ; and so long as the soil does not become 

 quite dry, but little water will be required during the winter. It will be found to 

 succeed best in peat ; but, as a substitute, when this is not procurable, sandy loam, 

 with a considerable portion of thoroughly decayed leaf-mould, may be used. In 

 either of these soils its growth is rapid ; an abundance of suckers being generally 

 produced, which, if taken off and struck on a mild bottom heat, will make flowering 

 plants the same season. It may also be readily increased, by division of the roots 

 in spring, about the period they commence their growth. 



As a pot-plant, its cultivation is remarkably easy. We have observed that it 

 may readily be preserved in any convenient place, in a half-dry state, through the 

 colder months of the year. When it ' pushes ' in spring, it should be repotted ; 

 and if the specimen is large, it should have a second removal as soon as the first 

 pot has become filled with roots. Beyond these attentions, nothing will be needed 

 but free supplies of water, and a few supports for its slender flexible stems. 



Without indulging in extravagant encomiums of this plant as a window 

 ornament, it may yet be said to be of great value on account of the bright blue 

 tint of its flowers, which continue in perfection for a longer period than when 

 exposed in the open borders. 



As the first plant of the Leadwort tribe which we have yet figured, a few 

 remarks on the structure of the Order may not be out of place. The Plumlaginacece 

 are distinguished, among all other monopetalous plants, by their plaited or furrowed 

 calyx, five styles, and superior one-celled ovary, containing a solitary ovule 

 suspended from the extremity of a cord, which arises from the base of the cavity 

 of the cell. Although we have used the term monopetalous as applicable to the 

 Order, several of the genera have their petals distinct, as in the Statices and 

 Armerias, and in the genus Plumbago, the styles are partially united ; but in all 

 the genera their extremities are distinct, and the one-seeded superior ovary, with 

 a pendulous ovule, is an invariable feature of the Order, 



In the genus Armeria, the mode in which the fertilization of the ovule is 

 effected is highly curious. We have stated that this is suspended from the end 

 of a cord, which is attached to, or lies over, the foramen or opening in the young- 

 seed through which the pollen tube has to be introduced. At the moment this is 

 conveyed from the stigma through the style to the ovary, the cord attached to the 



