282 



HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



they have a singular beauty. The variety now under notice, at 

 the height of 2ft., developed a well "branched panicle about the 

 latter end of August; gradually the minute flowers expanded, 

 when, in the middle of September, they became extremely fine, 

 the smaller stems being as fine as horsehair, evenly disposed, and 

 rigid ; the head being globular, and supported by a single stem. 



The flowers are of a lively lilac, having a brownish or snuff- 

 coloured spiked calyx, the effect being far prettier than the 



FIG. 100. STATICE PKOFUSA. 

 (One-tenth natural size.) 



description, would lead one to imagine. The leaves are radical, 

 Gin. to Sin. long, oval, or somewhat spathulate, waved, leathery, 

 shining and dark green, the outer ones prostrate, the whole 

 being arranged in lax rosette form. 



The flowers are very durable, either cut or in the growing 

 state ; they may be used to advantage with dried grasses, ferns, 

 and "everlastings;" or the whole head, when cut, is a good 

 substitute for gold-paper clippings in an unused fire grate ; our 

 people have so used one for two years, and it has still a fresh 



