DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 391 



down gently and cover lialf an inch deep with rich, light 

 mould; if dry weather follows, water moderately, and 

 the layers will soon take root. The plants thrive best in 

 well manured loam, in a shady situation, and preserve 

 their flowers longer; though they will grow and flower 

 abundantly in almost any situation. A Pansy, to be per- 

 fect, should stand up well above the foliage ; the petals 

 should be flat without any curl or wrinkle, the edges 

 without notch or serrature ; the upper, lower, and middle 

 petals so arranged, as to form as near as possible a perfect 

 circle or oval. 



WHITLAVIA. 



[Named in honor of F. Whitlaw, an Irish botanist.] 



Whitlavia ^randiflora. — An elegant annual from Cali- 

 fornia, Avith blue, bell-shaped flowers. It produces its 

 flowers in continued succession, from June to October. 

 In habit the plant resembles the Phacelias^ but the flow- 

 ers are more like the Campanula ; of a very rich dark- 

 blue. In heavy, wet soils, this plant does not succeed 

 well, but flourishes in light, sandy loam. There is a va- 

 riety with white flowers. 



XERANTHEMUM. 



[Name from Greek words signifying dry and a flower, on account of the dry- 

 nature of the flowers, wliioh retain their color and form for many years.] 



Xeranthemiim aunaum. — Purple Everlasting, — and a 

 variety with white flowers, are popular border annuals, 

 of easy culture in light, rich soil. Like the Helichrysmns^ 

 they are valued for their properties of retaining their col- 

 ors and form, when gathered and dried, and are much 

 prized in forming winter bouquets for vases, etc. 



