DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF THE BEST KINDS 205 



one inch in diameter, are borne on slender stems an inch 

 or so high. The narrow grassy leaves are produced in 

 dense tufts. It is an excellent rock garden plant, thriving 

 in any well-drained gritty soil. Pieces of stones should 

 be buried where A. caespitosa is planted, as they tend to 

 keep the ground cool, and at the same time ensure perfect 

 drainage. In too rich or stagnant soil it is apt to damp 

 off during the winter. Seeds are produced freely. One 

 of the largest is A. latifolia, from Portugal, with large heads 

 of rosy-lilac flowers through the summer. It must be 

 planted in well-drained sandy loam in a sunny position. 

 Even then it sometimes perishes during cold winters, 

 so reserve plants should always be kept in a frame. 

 A pretty little rock garden plant is A. juncea, which is 

 found in Southern France on barren, stony ground. It 

 has narrow grassy leaves with heads of lilac flowers. 

 There are two forms of this, one known as setacea, with 

 shorter leaves and stems. Like the others it prefers dry, 

 stony ground. 



Arnebia (Prophet Flower). The only kind usually 

 seen in rock gardens is Arnebia echioides ; it is native of 

 the mountains of Western Russia, and belongs to the 

 Borage family (Boraginae). The curious popular name 

 of Prophet Flower is derived from the fact that, after the 

 yellow flower has opened, five dark spots appear on the 

 petals and subsequently fade away ; in legendary lore 

 they are said to represent the marks of Mahomet's fingers. 

 The flowers are produced in May on stems twelve or 

 fifteen inches high, which die down in autumn. A well- 



