GEUM TRIFLORUM. THREE-FLOWERED AVENS. 7 



and the colored sepals constitute all we can popularly call a 

 flower. The pale pink-white petals show just beyond the calyx, 

 but, so far as the writer has ever been able to note, do not 

 expand sufficiently to be more visible. Unless examined closely, 

 the petals would be rarely seen. The flowers are at first 

 nodding, but at length become erect. 



We cannot but think, however, that true taste will see in the 

 foliage very much to admire. The finely cut leaf is suggestive 

 of the much-admired fern, and indeed, in this respect, it is 

 superior to many of that family, but it wants the delicacy of 

 texture which, as much as elegance of form, gives the fern so 

 much beauty ; still its rough and heavy character is in harmony 

 with its position as a flowering plant. It is doubtful if the fern, 

 as a rule, would look as well as it does if it had blossoms like 

 other plants upon it. The leaf of the " Three-flowered Avens " is 

 elegant, but it is the elegance of the cultured gentleman, and not 

 of a " lady fair." To those engaged in ornamental designs the 

 leaf affords a good study. Where the idea of combined strength 

 and delicacy is required it would be very appropriate. Neatly 

 pressed, dried, and arranged in a rosette, the leaves make a 

 pretty ornament in leaf albums. 



The " Three-flowered Avens " seems to grow very well in 

 gardens, where it forms a neat little stalky bunch of about six 

 inches high. The flower stems do not extend much beyond the 

 leaves, and the blossoms open about the end of May. 



We are indebted to Professor Sargent, of Harvard, for the 

 specimen from which our plate was made. 



Explanation of the Plate. — 1. The whole plant. — 2. Mature head, with awns. 



