GARDEN FLOWERS. 153 



(large-flowered) ; hardy perennial ; 9 inches ; flowers whitish, in 

 May; Japan; 1835. " Musschianum (Mussch's) ; hardy per- 

 ennial ; i foot ; flowers white, in May ; Japan ; 1838. E. pinna- 

 turn (pinnate) ; hardy perennial ; 9 inches ; flowers yellow, in 

 May ; Persia ; 1 848. E. -violaceutn (violet) ; hardy perennial ; 

 9 inches ; flowers violet-color, in May ; Japan ; 1835. 



EQUISETUM. Horsetail. [Equisetaceae.] Hardy herba- 

 ceous perennials of singular appearance, associating well 

 with Ferns and Lycopodiums about damp, shady rock-work. 

 They mostly prefer peaty soil and a damp situation, and are 

 increased by division of the root. 



ERAGROSTIS. [Graminace'ae.] A family of ornamental 

 grasses, succeeding in common garden soil. E. elegans, 

 Namaquensis, cylindrifolia, and megastachya are the species. 



ERANTHIS. Winter Aconite. [Ranunculaceae.] The 

 Winter Aconite is one of those simple flowers which please 

 more on account of the season of their appearance than 

 their beauty. It begins to bloom in earliest spring, often 

 amidst frost and snow, and for a long time continues to 

 decorate the garden and shrubbery. It is altogether not 

 more than three inches high, the flowers being seated one 

 on each pair of flat-lobed leaves, which terminate the stalk. 

 They look like little yellow cups with their bases surrounded 

 by green frills. It is tuberous, and only requires to be 

 planted in the soil and left -to itself. Planted just within 

 the margin of a flower-bed, it interferes with nothing ; and, 

 if placed thick enough, makes a conspicuous edging for 

 some time. It is also very well placed in patches among 

 shrubs, or in any other wilderness scenery, which it serves 

 to enliven at a dreary season. 



E. hiemalis (winter) ; hardy tuberous perennial ; 3 inches ; 

 flowers yellow, in April ; England. E. Siberica (Siberian) ; 

 hardy tuberous perennial ; 3 inches ; flowers yellow, in April ; 

 Siberia; 1826. 



