HERBACEOUS PLANTS 89 



Daubeny raised the level of the ground considerably, moved 

 the collection of Grasses there, and in order to draw attention 

 to one of the original purposes of the Botanic Garden as a 

 Physic Garden or receptacle for Medicinal Herbs, reserved the 

 portion outside the south corner of the walls for such plants 

 of a hardy nature as were admitted into the Pharmacopoeias on 

 the score of their therapeutic virtues. But the collection has 

 now been distributed, and the Aconite, the Hellebore, the 

 Liquorice, the Valerian, the Saffron, the Poisonous Lettuce, 

 Rhubarb, Henbane, Belladonna, Colchicum, and many more 

 may now be found with their near relations in the Systematic 

 beds within the walls. 



In their place will now be found borders along No. 12 

 Green-house (remade and raised in 1903) and six long her- 

 baceous beds, having in summer all the charm and beauty of a 

 mixed herbaceous border ; and many are the suggestions of 

 new plants or of effective arrangement they afford ; 



Full gay was all the ground and queint 

 And poudred as men had it peint, 

 With many a fresh and sundry flour 

 That casten up full good savour. CHAUCER. 



The bed next the path is reserved for the collection of 

 Irises, mostly horticultural varieties, which do remarkably 

 well here, and are the chief attraction of the flower-garden in 

 the middle of the Summer Term. The plot faces south and 

 is well sheltered on both sides. 



Just within the south boundary fence, and partly within and 

 partly without the line of boundary stones which divide the 

 land of Magdalen College from that of Christ Church, are 

 three Rose-beds filled with dwarf Roses and with Dahlias in 

 their season. This year, in October, there was a fine show 

 of red Salvia. 



The path to the right leads to a turnstile under a yew near 

 the Cottage, and a wicket in the wall gives egress to Rose 

 Lane. 



