102 n tbe proper "Qse of Herbaceous plants. 



bean or water trefoil, which is best grown on the margin of 

 a shallow stream. 



7. Water Plants. Ornamental water plants may be di- 

 vided into three distinct classes according to their habit 

 and place of growth. 1. With floating leaves: water-lily, 

 Hydrocharis, Aponagaton, Alisma natans, Limnocharis, and 

 Nuphar all growing in more or less deep water. 2. With 

 erect leaves : Sagittaria, water violet, flowering rush 

 lotus and the water-flag, which grow in more or less 

 shallow water near the shore. 3. Species not Tooting in tlie 

 ground: bladder wort, E.ichornia, and several unimportant 

 floating plants. The first two kinds delight in rich, muddy 

 soil composed of decaying vegetable matter, but will also 

 do well when planted in beds of good loam. The upright 

 forms are generally found growing in small tufts here and 

 there in shallow water. 



8. Rock Plants. Eock plants are among the most 

 beautiful of all herbaceous plants. They are generally of 

 dwarf and compact habit, with large flowers and compara- 

 tively small, often fleshy, leaves. Some grow in the deep 

 shade of rocky woods, as those mentioned among woodland 

 flowers ; others enjoy the full sunlight and grow profusely 

 in Alpine regions in crevices of rocks or in deep pockets of 

 soil formed by decaying vegetable matter. Many are found 

 in moist and shady places along mountain streams where 

 the spray of running water keeps them continually moist 

 and cool. No ' park or garden should be without rock 

 plants. In hot countries species which naturally grow in the 

 bright sunlight and pure air of mountain regions require 

 partial sliade and abundant watering in summer, and can 



