THE PINKS OF THE ALPS 139 



D. neglectus (Lois.). This species, which many 

 botanists consider to be only a variety of glacialis, 

 is really quite distinct. I have pleasure in stating 

 here that the Index Kewensis, whose tendency is 

 to reduce the number of species, maintains it, while 

 Williams erroneously holds that it is identical with 

 glacialis, the two plants belonging to absolutely dis- 

 tinct groups. Dianthus neglectus not only has en- 

 tirely different foliage (leaves linear-oblong, acute, 

 glaucous, ending in a point and three-nerved, thus 

 differing from its congener), but also its habit, manner 

 of growth, stem, and inflorescence all are different. 

 D. neglectus grows in more or less dense, sometimes 

 very wide, carpet-like masses, with the foliage dwarf 

 and glaucous. From this rise the flowers, usually 

 solitary, but sometimes several together, on stalks 

 4 to 6 inches high. The flower is large, of a fine 

 bright crimson colour above, but greenish-yellow 

 below, with bluish shades, thus accounting for the 

 local name, the Blue Pink, by which it is known to 

 the mountain folk of Dauphiny. With us it flowers 

 from May to July (July to August in the mountains). 

 It is one of the handsomest plants of our rock and 

 alpine gardens. It requires a place in full light, and 

 not too heavy a soil. It is easy to grow, and very 

 floriferous. 



It is to be regretted that this plant should be so 

 little known, and that a plant that has nothing to 

 do with the true neglectus should be generally sold 

 under its name. Its home is in that group of eastern 

 Alps between Turin, Grenoble, and Grasse ; also in 



