M flolx^v (gapd^Q dod L,dLoi). ^ 



GLORY OF THE SNOW. 



Fic. IOnS.— C. Licii.iAE 



NE of the handsomest early 

 spring flowers that has been 

 lately brought into cultivation 

 is Chionodoxa I-uciliae, or Lucilia's 

 Chionodoxa. The genus gets its name 

 from Chion, Snow and doxa, glory ; a 

 name given from its habit of flowering 

 so early in the spring in its native 

 habitats, almost before the snow has all 

 melted away. The genus belongs to 

 the lily family, and is a small one, hav- 



ing only three known varieties, viz., 

 F. C. cretica (Cretan) which has white or 

 pale blue flowers, and comes from the 

 mountains of Crete. 



C. nana (dwarf) with white or lilac 

 flowers, also from Crete, and 



C. LuciHae, which forms the subject 

 of this sketch. The flowers of this 

 beautiful variety are from 3 to 6 in num 

 ber, sometimes more, growing on a stalk 

 about six inches in height. The petals 

 are deep blue at apex, shading ofT to 

 pure white at the base : the leaves are 

 narrow, linear and upright. This variety 

 comes from Asia Minor, where it was 

 introduced in 1877. It is quite hardy, 

 and will succeed in an ordinary border, 

 unless the soil is too wet or heavy. It 

 blooms very early in the season, along 

 with crocus and snowdrop, and in com- 

 pany with these in various color, makes 

 a beautiful display upon the lawn. The 

 bed should be composted of leaf mould 

 and sand ; and young bulbs, after plant- 

 ing, should be left to grow undisturbed 

 for three or four years. 



C. Luciliae also succeeds well in pots, 

 if treated like the hyacinth, by keeping it 

 in the dark until it makes good roots, 

 and then bringing it to the light, and 

 growing it very near the glass, without 

 too much heat. 



•05 



