240 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



only two-winged appendages. Though this species is fre- 

 quently advertised for sale, yet it is rarely found true to 

 name. There are two or three fine specimens of the true 

 Halesia diptera in the excellent nursery-grounds of Mr. William 

 Reid, at Murray Hill, New York city, which have strongly 

 excited our admiration whenever we have seen them in bloom. 

 They blossom in June, three or four weeks later than H. 

 tetraptrra ; the blossoms are large and numerous, and of a pure 

 and snowy whiteness, and remain a good while in flower. 

 Altogether, we consider the Two-winged Silver Bell as a hardy 

 shrub of great beauty, and one that should be largely propa- 

 gated, and introduced into every collection. It cannot be very 

 difficult to obtain seeds from the South, and Mr. Reid informs 

 us that this species ripens seeds in the open borders of his 

 grounds." 



H E D E R A. 

 English Ivy. 



Hedera helix. Common Ivy. The ancients held Ivy in 

 great esteem, and Bacchus is represented as crowned with it 

 to prevent intoxication. It is a highly esteemed ornamental 

 evergreen climber, and much used in England for covering 

 naked buildings or trees, or for training into fanciful shapes, or 

 trained up a stake so as to form a standard. 



In this country it is not very common, but it appears to suc- 

 ceed well in shady collections. There are some specimens in 

 the city of Boston, which flourish finely upon the rough granite 

 or brick walls of buildings. It is easily propagated by cuttings 

 or layers. There are a number of varieties of this, of which 

 all are desirable, growing to a great height, and attaching itself 

 firmly to whatever it grows upon, without any assistance. 



