18 FAMILIAR GARDEN FLOWERS. 



because it is crowned with the peak that is now called 

 Teneriffe, which at times is capped with snow. It is 

 proper to remark, however, that not only is the flower 

 before us of a canary colour, but it bears some resemblance 

 to a bird, and in this respect is as curious in its mimicry as 

 any of the orchids. Its second name refers to the hooked 

 termination of the nectary; and its third name indicates 

 that it is a wanderer, a happy vagabond, a plant that 

 loves to climb the wall and tumble over in the next 

 garden, or, if it gets hold of the trellis next the summer- 

 house, will stretch and pull and clamber until it can peep 

 in at the little window and say "How d'ye do?" at 

 the very moment when you don't want to be disturbed. 

 But this Peregrinum must be allowed to indulge in its 

 peregrinations, for the joy of the thing is its rampant, 

 rambling, and ill-regulated ambition to overstep every- 

 thing and everybody. 



We miss here one of the prominent characteristics of 

 the tropaeolums, the leaves of which are mostly circular 

 and peltate and like a buckler, while the flower is like 

 a helmet, and thus together they constitute a trophy, or 

 tropaum. The canary creeper has five-lobed leaves and 

 bird-like flowers, and a style of growth that separates it 

 from the typical tropaeolurns. Its rapidity of growth is 

 remarkable, as also is its tendency to be eaten up by the 

 little mite known as the "red spider/' when hot, dry 

 weather has prevailed a few weeks. Like the general run 

 of vagabonds, it is not particular about its life-conditions, 

 and having no stamina, it soon breaks down when things 

 go wrong. 



The uses of such plants are many. The peculiar light 

 green leafage, dotted with yellow flowers, renders this very 



