I04 CILIA TRICOLOR. TRI-COLORED CILIA. 



HuorJia, ElapJwcera, Ipomopsis, Giliandra, Microgilia and Eu- 

 gilia; but which Dr. Gray now regards as not materially differing 

 from Gilia, and which he retains merely as names of the several 

 groups of the genus. It would be hardly worth retaining them 

 at all, burdening the memory as their retention does with a host 

 of useless names, only that they are often yet met with as generic 

 ones in many places, and their record in a work like Dr. Gray's 

 helps the investigator in finding out what is meant. Our Gilia 

 tricolor would have to be sought for in Eugitia, or that section 

 which might be regarded as the "best" Gilia — those the nearest 

 to the original type. 



We have not met with any account of its general effect on the 

 landscape; but if it gets the chance to grow in masses, as we can 

 have it in gardens, it must be among the leading floral adorn- 

 ments of its wild native home. Dr. Gray merely says that it 

 grows "in California throughout the western part of the State." 

 The "Botany of California" notes that it "is common in the 

 w^estern part of the State and in the foot-hills." 



In gardens the seed is sown in the early part of March, or as 

 soon after the frost disappears as possible, for if left till the 

 weather becomes warm, it flowers before it gets much strength, 

 and soon exhausts itself. The early sown plants, if not per- 

 mitted to bear seeds freely, — that is to say. if the shoots with 

 flowers be cut off as they fade, — will continue in bloom most 

 of the summer, unless the spot be very hot and dry. It is 

 an excellent plant to flower in pots during the winter. For this 

 purpose the seed should be sown in August or September, ac- 

 cording as the place where it is to grow be warm or not. It 

 does not, however, like to be forced much. It grows well with 

 very litde heat, and dislikes more than it needs for steady 

 growth. 



