CONVOLVULUS ITALICUS. 



167 



July and August. It differs from the C. althceoides, not only in the absence of the 

 silky hairs which characterise that species, but also in its upper leaves being less 

 deeply lobed; the peduncles of althceoides are, further, ^o-flowered, and the 

 blossoms rather smaller than in Italicus. It is a native of the Mediterranean 

 regions, occurring both in Egypt, Algiers, and Italy ; but is, nevertheless, suffi- 

 ciently hardy to endure exposure in nearly every part of Great Britain, if the 

 precaution is taken of covering its roots with a little dry material, such as furze or 

 fern, in the severest weather. It should be grown in a warm sheltered border, of 

 light friable soil ; a-nd as its roots penetrate deeply, and are liable to be broken 

 by removal, they should not be often disturbed. "We have somewhere seen it 

 stated that this species produces seeds, but with us it has never done so, nor 

 have we ever been able to procure any through the Seedsmen ; we are, therefore, 

 disposed to regard this statement as erroneous, at least, with reference to 

 ordinary seasons. It may, however, be easily increased by division of 

 the roots in autumn after flowering, or in spring, just as the plant commences its 

 growth. 



We have figured this species, both on account of its being one of the handsomest 

 of its class, and one of the most easily procured ; but there are several others of 

 equal interest, though far less common. The 0. sericeus, with silky leaves and 

 pink flowers ; the C. lineatus, a dwarf trailing species, with pale rose-coloured 

 blossoms, by some esteemed as a variety only of althceoides ; the 0. Chinensis, also 

 pink, and the C. Malcolmii, white, are among the best ; but only the two first are 

 generally kept by the London Florists. The C. althceoides, of which we have 

 already spoken, may be procured in most localities, and may be substituted for 

 the Italicus, where this is not within reach. The C. bnjonicefolius is an inter- 

 esting Chinese species, with pink or rose flowers ; but, unfortunately, it is rather 

 tender, and therefore generally treated as a greenhouse plant. It might, we 

 think, be tried out- doors, with some chance of success, if covered by a hand- 

 light. There are several pretty annual species, though none of them are superior 

 to the old Convolvulus tricolor, and, as they are apparently quite lost in this 

 country, need not be further noticed. 



The common Major Convolvulus (Pharlitis hispidaj we may be excused from 

 referring to; but there are one or two species of this genus which are so 

 interesting, and so much less cultivated than they merit, that we must find space 

 for their names ; we allude to the P. Learii, P. hederacea, and P. Nil. The first 

 is perennial, and needs protection in winter — indeed, it is usually treated as a stove 

 plant in this country ; it is, however, quite hardy enough for the open air in 

 summer, especially in warm sheltered localities. The foliage is very large, 

 resembling in form that of hispida; from the axils are produced clusters of 

 splendid blossoms, of a dark violet or blue colour, throughout the summer months. 



