CENOTHEKA PEOSTKATA. 167 



like a Verbena ; and it may also be multiplied indefinitely by cuttings at all 

 seasons. Its narrow, almost linear foliage, gives it a very neat appearance ; and in 

 this respect it is inferior to no other plant of our acquaintance. In ordinary soils 

 it does not exceed six inches in height, but extends horizontally to a considerable size 

 in the course of a single season ; and being perfectly hardy, it will soon become 

 one of the best known of all the species. 



Besides those we have named, there are many others in no way inferior, which 

 we may notice on another occasion. 



The popular designation of this genus, Evening Primrose, is inappropriate to all 

 the species, many of them expanding their blossoms during the day ; the speciosa 

 and prostrata are both of this number, and indeed most of the perennial species. 



The mode in which the flowers of the (Enotheras expand, has attracted the 

 attention of most Botanical writers. The four segments of the calyx adhere so 

 strongly by their tips, that in nearly all the species, the petals escape from their 

 green envelope by bursting one side of the calyx. In prostrata, taraxieifolia, and 

 some others, the sepals are prolonged beyond their immediate point of union, into 

 horn-like processes. 



All the parts of the flowers of this Order are either four in number, or multiples 

 of four ; thus the sepals and petals are each four ; the stamens eight ; the lobes of 

 the stigma four ; and the cells of the capsule four ; and this circumstance, taken 

 in conjunction with the seed-vessel being inferior, or below the flower, affords 

 a ready means of distinguishing them from those of any other Natural Family. 



The pollen of the (Enotheras is remarkable for its stringiness, all the grains being 

 connected together by a fine thread-like body. This cohesion is perceptible to the 

 naked eye, but is better seen under the microscope. The grains themselves are 

 very interesting microscopic objects, being in most of the species of a triangular 

 form, with black opaque spots at the angles. It is rather singular that the form of 

 the pollen should be found to vary in the species of the same genus ; but this fact 

 must be known to all who have made these interesting bodies their study. Between 

 the pollen-grains of the Clarkia pulchella, and C. elegans belonging to the same 

 order as the Evening Primrose, there is a considerable difference, and it would be 

 worth while to ascertain whether these two species would mingle by hybridizing. 



The long tube of the calyx of several of the species of (Enothera generally arrests 

 the attention of the tyro, especially those of macrocarpa and taraxieifolia; and the 

 large winged seed-vessel of the first species is no less curious. 



Whilst on the subject of Onagraceous plants, we will notice a recent introduction 

 belonging to this order, the Gaura Lindeniana, or Lindheimeri ; the plant is sold 

 under both names, which is the correct one, we have been unable to ascertain. 

 It is a tall growing herbaceous plant, four to five feet, with white flowers, produced 

 in profusion throughout the summer and autumn. Before expansion, the buds have 



