OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 171 



stem, with the exception of the tip, which slightly erects itself ; 

 the angle is ever changing, being ruled by the change of flower 

 to seed, the development causing the sharp bend to rise day by 

 day. The leaves of the root are spoon-shaped, and those of the 

 stems broadly lance-shaped, varying in length from Sin. to 

 5in., entire, veined, of good substance, and having attenuated 

 stalks ; the younger leaves have a changeable satiny hue ; all the 

 leaves at their junction with the stems are marked with a bright 

 redness ; the main stems are furnished with many side branches, 

 which assist in maintaining floriferousness until late autumn. 

 The habit of the plant is dense, and from the numerous spikes of 

 flowers and bright green foliage strong specimens have a com- 

 mendable appearance ; with me, the growth has been remarkably 

 vigorous, exceeding by nearly a foot the usual height ; this I 

 attribute to the enrichment of the soil. The bent spikes are 

 scarcely suitable for cutting purposes, but that the plant is 

 deserving of a place in the borders may fairly be inferred from 

 the manner in which it wins admiration when in flower. It 

 enjoys deep loam, which, as before hinted, should be rich ; the 

 situation should be such as will afford it protection from the 

 winds then, if its leaves remain untorn, they will afford a treat 

 from their "autumnal tints." Propagated by root division 

 during late autumn or early spring. 

 Flowering period, July to September. 



Margyricarpus Setosus. 

 BRISTLY PEARL-FRUIT; Nat. Ord. ROSACEJE. 

 A CHARMING little evergreen shrub, and most aptly named, for 

 not only does the name convey some idea of its beauty, but it is 

 specific to the utmost degree; a glance at the illustration 

 (Fig. 62) and the English name, which is a translation of the 

 Latin one, will show this. It is the only species of the genus. 

 It was introduced in the year 1829 from Peru, and for a time was 

 considered too tender a subject for other than stove treatment, 

 and even now it is treated as a shrub needing protection ; but 

 warm as is its native climate, it proves hardy in ours ; it is not 

 merely a safe subject to winter out under special conditions, but 

 quite hardy in fully exposed parts. It stood out with me in the 

 winters of 1879-80 and 1880-1, and in 1881-2, which, however, 

 was specially mild, it held its berries until spring. Its ever- 

 green character renders it all the more desirable, for though the 

 foliage is small and somewhat spare, it is of a bright and 

 pleasing colour. Quite young specimens are prolific, and only 

 during the severe months are they without berries. 



A full-grown example does not exceed the height of 6in. or 8in. 

 in this climate. The flowers are green and insignificant in 

 fact, hardly visible, and must be closely looked for; they are 



