56 PHACELIA BIPINNATIFIDA. BiriNNATE PHACELIA. 



son county, Indiana. He says: ''Phacclia bipinnatijida, Mx., 

 seems to be very uncertain in its growth. For two seasons I 

 watched closely for it and did not secure a single specimen ; but 

 this spring our hill-sides are fairly blue with it, and its presence 

 may be perceived by the peculiar pungent odor rising from it," 

 This periodicity in their appearance has however been noted in 

 connection with some other plants ; but whether it be that the 

 seed retains its vitality for several years until a favorable 

 season occurs for its germination, or whether it be that there 

 were a few plants that escaped the researcher's observation, 

 which perfected seed, and a favorable season following encour- 

 aged to a more than usual orrowth, has never been clear to the 

 mind of the writer, and renewed observations are needed. 



It is a biennial and has often been introduced to culture, but 

 has never become a standard stock in seedsmen's catalogues, 

 showing that it does not remain long in gardens. Possibly its 

 shade-loving character, as judged from its native locations, 

 renders it impatient of open sunny garden borders ; but its beauty 

 when under favorable circumstances should make it worth while 

 to attempt to humor it. 



The drawing for our plate was made from a plant under Mr. 

 Dawson's charge in the Arnold Arboretum of Cambridge, 

 Massachusetts. 



