THK NEW ANNUALS. 183 



certainly inferior to the older C. bicolor and C. verna. We fear that many of our readers may 

 have experienced disappointment with the seed of the new Salpiglossis coccinea, which, owing 

 to a most shameless fraud on the part of one of the growers, through whom many of the 

 London Seedsmen obtained their supplies, in many cases proved to be that of the older varieties. 

 After effecting this imposition, the party decamped to Australia with his ill-gotten gain ; leaving 

 the Seedsmen to meet, as they best could, the unfair imputation of being accomplices in this 

 deception. In the few instances in which the true seed was obtained, the plants resulting produced 

 flowers of a tint more approaching orange than scarlet, but they are no less beautiful in this 

 character than in their others. "We have no doubt, however, that seeds correct to name will 

 be procurable next season. 



The white-margined variety of the Nemophila aurita proves to be a pretty plant when well 

 grown, but we think it is much less showy than the insignia and maeulata, two species which 

 have obtained a well-merited reputation. The variety termed atomaria ccelestis is very interesting, 

 the blue ground of the flower being prettily spotted with white. 



Although white flowers are in themselves less effective than those of more brilliant tint, 

 they nevertheless afford a contrast often necessary, and even indispensable in good combinations. 

 The new white Nolana atriplicifolia will, on this account, be likely to become a favorite, as 

 it will be found very useful for an edging to beds of the blue-flowered variety, as well as of other 

 dwarf plants of caerulean tint. The white variety of the little Kaulfussia ameUoides is also 

 very pretty, but is only suitable for the borders, as, like the species, its flowering season is of 

 short duration, though by a succession of sowings it may be had in bloom all the summer. The 

 Lobelia ramosa has also yielded a blanched variety of itself, which may be associated advantageously 

 with any of the pretty dwarf blue-flowered species, as well as the true ramosa ; and, like them, it 

 is perennial when protected from frost in winter, but readily flowers the first season from seeds. 



The Limnanthes rosea is less showy than might perhaps be supposed from its name; but 

 fine specimens are very ornamental. We say fine specimens, because a good deal of the seed 

 of this plant sold for the two past seasons has been very ordinary, and quite incapable of giving 

 rise to good strong plants. Like the commoner L. Dougltmii, it does best when sown in autumn : 

 if deferred till spring the seeds should be got in early, while moisture is abundant. It is very 

 hardy. The pure white variety of Douglasm is also worth cultivating in large patches. 



The Schistanthe pedancalaris we cannot say much of; it is very closely allied to the Alonsoas, 

 but its flowers are of a pale brick red, and less abundant than in the genus just named. 

 Botanically, its flowers are interesting, but as an ornamental plant it has no claim. The 

 beautiful little Leptosiphon Intern we have so recently noticed, that we need only remark that, 

 where it is once grown, it will be sure to win for itself a high character among ornamental 

 annuals. The Ouphea purpurea proves to be really a desirable variety when grown in patches 

 of some size, and flowering at the end of the summer, may be employed for filling some of the 

 vacancies left by the early annuals. The plants raised from seed vary considerably in their tint, 

 some of them being a pale rosy purple, and others of a deeper and brighter shade. It flowers 

 very freely for some weeks, and requires to be raised on a hot-bed. Respecting the new orange- 

 flowered Globe Amaianthus, Gomphrena Hoveyana, or superba, as some of the catalogues have it, 

 there will probably be some difference of opinion, owing to the varying result obtained by 

 different modes of treatment. When grown with su^cient warmth, and in rich soil, it is un- 

 doubtedly a handsome plant ; but in opposite conditions the flower heads are small and insignificant. 

 They are of the same persistent character as those of the common G. globosa ; and if cut soon after 

 they are fully developed, they may be preserved in the same manner for a length of time, 

 Some of the new varieties of the brilliant Calliopsis tincioria are remarkably handsome, especially one 



