DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF THE BEST KINDS 217 



are increased by seed, or by small offsets taken from the 

 tubers in September and grown in boxes for a season. 



Cotula. The Cotulas, of which two only are generally 

 met with, are creeping plants with prettily cut leaves ; 

 they spread rapidly, and though possessing no especial 

 claims to beauty are particularly useful for planting in 

 chinks by the side of the paths that wind about the rock 

 garden. They grow flat along the ground, will thrive 

 even in a gravel path, and bear treading upon with im- 

 punity. Cotula acaenifolia and C. squalida are the names 

 of those in common cultivation. Propagation is very 

 simple ; roots form on the creeping stem, and all one 

 has to do is to cut off pieces of the latter having roots 

 attached and plant them out forthwith. 



Crucianella (Crosswort). This belongs to the natural 

 order Rubiaceae (which includes among its members the 

 Bouvardia), and is native of the East Mediterranean 

 district. Crucianella stylosa, which alone is usually 

 grown, is a spreading plant of rapid growth, having slender 

 procumbent stems covered with whorls of small rough 

 leaves, and bearing in June small bunches of rose-pink 

 blooms that some find unpleasantly scented. If planted 

 near choice alpines it is apt to smother them, and is 

 preferably placed near the walk or in some other position 

 where there is ample room for its development. Ordinary 

 soil suits it. It is apt to become straggling in growth, and 

 should be renewed frequently from seed which germinates 

 very readily. 



Cyananthus. The few kinds of Cyananthus are 



