GALANTHUS. 53 



keep well long out of the ground. When the stem dies down, 

 the root should be taken up and replanted, if necessary ; but 

 this need not be done oftener than once in four or five years. 

 They should be planted four inches deep, in a rich, deep garden 

 soil. 



The Persian Fritillary or Persian Lily, (Fritillaria Persica,) 

 bears a spike of brownish-purple flowers, growing at the top of 

 the stem in the form of a pyramid ; they open in May ; stems 

 three feet high ; bulb similar to the last, except more elon- 

 gated. To be treated in every way like the Crown Imperial. 



The Common Fritillary, or Chequered Lily, (F. melegaris,} 

 is sometimes called the Guinea Hen Flower, on account of its 

 chequered or spotted flowers. There are many varieties ; the 

 colors, various shades of brown, purple, arid yellow, curiously 

 mottled, spotted or chequered. The bulbs are about the size 

 of the crocus roots, of the character of the other fritillary bulbs, 

 but more flattened ; stems eight or ten inches high, with one or 

 more gracefully-drooping, bell-shaped flowers, in April or May; 

 to be planted in groups in good garden soil, two inches deep. 

 They should not be kept long out of the ground. 



GALANTHUS. 

 Snow-Drop. 



" Already now the Snow-drop dares appear, 

 The first pale blossom of the unripened year ; 

 And Flora's breath, by some transforming power, 

 Had changed an icicle into a flower." 



Galanthus nivalis. The Snow-drop is the earliest flower of 

 all the garden tribe, and will even show her head above the 

 snow, as if to prove her rivalry with whiteness. Every third 

 year the roots sho'uld be taken up, in June or July, when the 

 leaves are decayed and kept in a dry place till August, when 

 they should be replanted. The bulbs are very small. To 

 5* 



