66 beeck's new book of^ flowers. 



tion that the clear and bright atmosphere of this section 

 of the United States seems particularly adapted for col- 

 lections of this nature ; for many delightful plants which 

 luxuriate in the colder yet purer air which prevails in the 

 higher regions of the Alps, will not bear the humid and 

 foggy atmosphere of England ; these are often introduced, 

 but as often perish ; here they would probably be perma- 

 nent. 



I may possibly have enlarged more on this subject than 

 can be interesting here, where few of these artificial struc- 

 tures exist, yet as it is almost certain they will be shortly 

 introduced, and if once introduced, are sure to become com- 

 mon, especially as the materials both for their erection 

 and ornament are in plenty, I may be pardoned for en- 

 deavoring, while opportunity is mine, to create an inter- 

 est in a pursuit which has afforded me so much pleasure. 



I conclude with a list of some of the most showy and 

 conspicuous plants for this purpose, beginning with those 

 which are found in this immediate vicinity. 



HoilStonia coenil^a, and lon^ifolia, bluish and long- 

 leaved Houstonia, The former blossoms from middle of 

 May to the middle of June in clusters so thick, that no stem 

 can be seen, about three inches high, and may be gathered 

 plentifully at Cambridge and Dedham, it is only annual ; 

 the long-leaved variety is perennial, an inch or two taller 

 thnn the coerulea, but is a much rarer plant, I have only 

 seen it near the granite quarry at Quincy, it was then in 

 blossom in August. 



Mitchi^lla ripens, the Checkerberry, this is almost too 

 well known to require description, but its beautiful hairy 

 white flowers which are extremely fragrant, and the 

 bright scarlet fruit which succeeds them, would be greatly 

 ornamental to rock work ; it al)ounds every where. 



Epj^a^a rCipcns. — Ground-laurel. I do not know that 

 this beautiful plant grows any where in this immediate 



