DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 123 



AMMOBITTM. 



[From the Greek, meaning to live upon sand.] 



Ammobium alatum, Winged Ammobium. A pretty, 

 half-hardy New Holland annual, with dry, white, involu- 

 cral scales, like a Gnaphalium. The flowers, when gath- 

 ered before they fully mature, retain their shape and 

 brightness, and are fit companions for Helichrysums, 

 Amaranths, and other everlasting flowers for winter orna- 

 ments. Height, two feet. The stems have a curious 

 winged attachment their whole length. 



AMSONIA. 



[Named after a traveller, Mr. Charles Amson.] 



Amsonia Tabernsemontftna, Broad-leaved Amsonia, 

 and has been called A. latifolia, but the name here given 

 is the oldest. A hardy perennial, about two feet high, 

 with leaves somewhat like those of the peach and pale- 

 blue flowers in terminal clusters. 



A. salicifolia* Willow-leaved Amsonia, has narrower 

 leaves. Both are easily cultivated native plants, which 

 succeed in almost any soil, and flowers in June. 



ANAGALLIS. PIMPERNEL. 



[From the Greek, to laugh ; the name expressing the medicinal qualities of 

 the plant, which, by removing obstructions from the liver, removed a cause 

 of low spirits and despondency. So at least say Pliny and others.] 



Anagallis arvtfnsis. Pimpernel, or Poor man's weather 

 glass, one of the florce horologicce, opening its flowers 

 regularly about eight minutes past eight o'clock in the 

 latitude of England, and closing about three minutes past 

 two o'clock. It also serves as an hygrometer, for, if rain 

 fall, or there be much moisture in the atmospere, the flow- 



