ABOUT THE ANEMONES. 157 



Although not known in Europe above a hundred and thirty 

 years, it is now an "old, familiar face" in every garden. 

 Now, by the side of the cultivated species, a native of the 

 New World, we can place a wild variety, indigenous to the 

 Old World, common in our own country, and, indeed, in all 

 the countries of temperate Europe ; whence it has received 

 the appellation of Heliotropium Europczum. 



The European species, let me state, is in every respect 

 similar to the Peruvian species, except that its flowers are 

 inodorous and of a paler blue. Yet it was known before the 

 discovery of America, before the discovery of those regions 

 from which we have obtained the cultivated heliotrope. 

 Thus, the two varieties have existed contemporaneously, and 

 have flourished independently of each other, from their very 

 origin. Why should not such be the case with the wild and 

 cultivated tulip ? 



THE ANEMONES. 



From our Spring posy the delicate Anemones must not be 

 omitted. More than twenty species are cultivated in Great 

 Britain, and I hardly know to which I would give the pre- 

 ference. They are called by that most unmeaning term, 

 "florist's flowers," and from the attention bestowed upon 

 them, the cultivated varieties have been greatly improved. 

 But you and I, dear reader, will go forth into the "wild 

 woods," and enjoy the rich gifts of nature untampered by 

 horticultural science. It is towards the end of March that 

 the wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa) begins to expand 



