FTTNCKIA ALBO-MABGINATA. 



135 



are brownish, speckled with purple, and upon the style (which is white, as 

 in the other species), are two purple spots on the upper side, close to the stigmas. 

 This species was formerly known as Hemerocattis carulea, and is one of the 

 oldest plants of the genus. 



The so-called Func'cia ctsruha is distinct from ovata, and has but little claim 

 to its earulean designation, its flowers being of a paler tint than those of our 

 figure. The foliage is broadly cordate-ovate, pointed at the tip, strongly nerved, 

 and glossy beneath. The anthers of this species are of a lavender-blue; it is 

 less desirable than some others. 



The F. undulata has, as its name implies, wavy foliage, rather smaller than 

 in most of the other species ; its flowers are of a similar tint to those of the figure, 

 but paler. The variegated variety of this species, F. undulata variegata, has very 

 pretty foliage ; in most of the leaves the whole of the central portion is white, the 

 margin and veins being green ; in some the two colours are more equally mingled ; 

 its flowers are pale, but it is well worth growing for the sake of its foliage. 



Perhaps the finest species of the genus is the F. grandiftora, with white flowers 

 of some size. This plant produces large ovate-lanceolate foliage, of a delicate 

 green tint, and about the month of September numerous spikes of Lily-like 

 blossoms, of a beautiful white ; they have the great additional recommendation 

 of being fragrant, in which respect they differ from all we have yet named. 

 The snails and slugs are so extremely partial to this plant, and in a less degree 

 to all of them, that great watchfulness is necessary to preserve it from their 

 ravages ; the use of lime is attended with many disadvantages ; its obtrusive 

 tint may be disguised by the admixture of soot, but it is not easy to preserve 

 its causticity; the most certain precaution is to visit the plant with a lanthorn 

 at night, the period when these pests of the gardener are most actively engaged 

 in their destructive operations. 



All the Funckias are natives of Japan, and require similar treatment to that 

 already recommended for the species figured. With the exception of the F. ccerulea, 

 most of them are of comparatively recent introduction. The genus is named in 

 honour of If enry Funck, a German writer on Cryptogamic Botany. 



Before concluding this notice we may remark that the allied genus, Henero- 

 callis, contains several very showy plants, which well merit cultivation. Even 

 the common II. fulva makes a very showy appearance in the borders, whether 

 in flower or not; from the graceful arrangement of its long drooping foliage 

 a good clump of it is often quite a study for an artist. The dwarf er If. 

 flaca is, however, more suitable for small gardens; its flowers are of a delicate 

 yellow, and very pleasantly scented. The II. disticha is a very fine plant, with 

 large orange-red flowers; it appears to blossom most freely when its roots are 

 confined in a pot, but it is quite hardy, as are all the species. They have 



