OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 



167 



name, even by amateurs who had long grown it. " Is that tall 

 plant a Lobelia P " has often been asked ; therefore, common as the 

 plant is, I thought it might prove useful to give an illus- 

 tration. One of its valuable qualities is that it flowers for 

 a very long time, beginning about the latter end of August 

 and continuing until stopped by frosts. In the early part 

 of October it is simply grand, as then not only the main 

 stems, but the lower ones, are all furnished with their brilliant 

 colouring. 



FIG. 60. LOBELIA CAKDINALIS. 

 (One-twelfth natural size.) 



This "old-fashioned" plant grows 2ft. or 3ft. high; the 

 flowers are produced in terminal spikes on stout, round, and 

 well-foliaged stems ; each flower has a slender stalk, starting 

 from the axil of a rudimentary leaf. The calyx is very finely 

 formed, broadly cup-shaped and cornered ; the five divisions are 

 narrow, finely pointed, fin. long, and spreading ; the corolla has 

 a divided tube lin. long, broadly set in the ample calyx, gradu- 

 ally narrowing to the divisions of the corolla. As may be 



