DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWEKS. 319 



handsome annual, growing about one foot liigli, and pro- 

 ducing a terminal raceme of fine blue flowers, each flower 

 being about three quarters of an inch across. This lovely 

 plant produces a fine efiect when planted in beds or mas- 

 ses; in flower most of the season. The whole herbage is 

 of a dull green, copiously clothed with glandular viscid 

 hairs ; the glands of a soot black. 



P. divaricata. — Straggling Phacelia. — A small, light- 

 violet flower from California, not very showy. E. multi- 

 flora is in gardens here, but, although preferable to this, 

 is not very likely to become a favorite. 



P. Meaziesii. — Menzies' Phacelia. — A beautiful hardy 

 annual. The whole plant is clothed with lioary down, in- 

 termixed wHth longer bristly hairs. Flowers light-blue, in 

 racemes an inch long. The plant should be cultivated in 

 a light soil and sunny situation. P. tanacetifolia from Cal- 

 ifornia, and P. congesta from Texas, are also cultivated. 



PHASEOLUS.— Kidney Bean. 



[The ancient name of the Kidney Bean.] 



PhaS^olus COCCineus. — Scarlet Runner. — This, which is 

 sometimes called P. multiflorus^ is a native of South 

 America. " Before Miller's time it was cultivated less for 

 its fruit than for the beauty and durability of its blossoms, 

 which the ladies put into their nosegays and garlands. 

 He brought it into general use for the table, and, because 

 it has been found so useful, people seem to think it can be 

 no longer ornamental, which is surely a vulgar mistake." 

 It is one of the most tender of all beans for stringing. 

 The Scarlet Runner will thrive in any good soil, and is 

 well worthy of attention for the beauty of its blossoms. 

 It will clothe whole fences or walls for a time, with a lux- 

 uriant green and red tapestry. There is also a variety 



