58 LYSIMACHIA QUADRIFOLIA. FOUR-LEAVED LOOSESTRIFE. 



these large groups and under the play of sunlight and shade, 

 the plant, with its whorls of four leaves uniform in outline and 

 at regular distances, makes quite a unique and beautiful picture 

 which, once seen and enjoyed, is not likely to be forgotten. The 

 picture is particularly impressive when the plant is in flower, as 

 the o-olden yellow of the corollas then increases the contrast of 

 light and shade in the general effect. The time when the blos- 

 soms are at their best — in Pennsylvania, at least, where our 

 specimen grew — is in the middle of June. 



In Pennsylvania, the Lysimachia quadrifolia loves to grow 

 in open woods where there is considerable light ; and in some 

 cases it takes possession of railroad cuts and embankments, 

 the dry soil not seeming to be uncongenial to it. Different 

 botanists, however, locate it in various situations. Dr. Gray, in 

 his "Synoptical Flora," refers to it as growing in sandy or 

 gravelly soil, but says nothing of woods; while Dr. Chapman, 

 writing of the Southern States, seems to have found it only in 

 shady woods; and Prof. Wood gives low grounds and river 

 banks as the result of his experience. 



As a garden plant our Lysimachia will hardly commend itself 

 to persons looking for gay border flowers ; but it is excellently 

 well adapted for use in the formation of "wild gardens," — 

 groups of trees, rocks, shrubs, and so forth, — to which so much 

 care is now given. The plants for these "wild gardens," al- 

 though left to grow somewhat as in a state of nature, are 

 selected with reference to their period of blooming, their beauty 

 of structure, or some other point of interest; and among these 

 our species will be found an excellent element to work with. 



The family history of Lysimachia quadrifolia is not without 

 interest. The generic name is an ancient one, and there is a 

 difference of opinion as to its origin and meaning, as is the 

 case with most of such old names. In botanical works Tourne- 

 fort, who wrote in 1 700, is usually credited with the authorship 

 of the name ; but this is correct only so far as it relates to its 

 application in modern botany. The Romans already had a 



