PART I.] CULTURAL 67 



culoides, if it can be procured; it is not nearly so common 

 as the Water Plantain. The pretty Star Damasonium of the 

 southern and eastern counties of England, an annual, is not to 

 be recommended to any but those who desire to make a full 

 collection, and who could and would provide a special spot for 

 the more minute and delicate kinds. The Water Lobelia does 

 not seem to thrive away from the shallow parts of the northern 

 lakes, getting choked by the numerous water weeds. The Cape 

 Pond flower (Aponogetori), a native of the Cape of Good Hope, is 

 a singularly pretty plant, which is nearly hardy enough for our 

 climate generally, and, from its sweetness and curious beauty, 

 a good plant to cultivate in a warm spot in the open air. It is 

 largely grown in one or two places in the south, and it nearly 

 covers the surface of the only bit of water in the Edinburgh 

 Botanic Garden with its long green leaves, among which the 

 sweet flowers float abundantly. In the open air, plant it rather 

 deep in a clean spot and in good soil, and see that the long and 

 soft leaves are not injured either by water-fowl or any other 

 cause. Orontium aquaticum is a handsome water-herb, and as 

 beautiful as any is the Water Violet (Hottonia palustris). The 

 best example of it that I have seen was on an expanse of soft 

 mud near Lea Bridge, in Essex. It covered the muddy surface 

 with a sheet of dark fresh green, and must have looked better 

 so than when in water, though the place was occasionally 

 flooded. The Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris), that " shines 

 like fire in swamps and hollows grey," will burnish the margin 

 with a glory of colour which no exotic flower could surpass. 

 A suitable companion for this Caltha is the very large Water 

 Buttercup (Ranunculus Lingua), a very handsome British 

 water-side perennial. Lythrum roseum superbum, a variety of 

 the common purple Loosestrife, and Epilobium hirsutum, are 

 two large and fine plants for the water-side. 



