88 FAMILIAR GARDEN FLOWERS. 



probably without a salary, and with but few official duties. 

 In 1576 he published his " Observationes," wherein may 

 be found the sources of much of the information embodied 

 in Parkinson's " Theatrum Botanicum " and other works 

 of the time that now surprise us by their erudition, their 

 comprehensiveness, and the delightful accuracy of their 

 engravings. 



The lobelias are widely scattered, but there are not 

 many of them. There are two British species, namely, 

 L. urens, a very rare plant, found on heaths near Axmin- 

 ster, and L. Dortmanna, a rather showy water-plant with 

 blue flowers. The " erinus " section are natives of the 

 Cape of Good Hope, and comprise L. licolor and L. cam- 

 panulata, from which many of the garden varieties have 

 been bred. The splendid plants of the " herbaceous " 

 section, comprising L. cardinalis, L. splendens, and L. 

 f-iilgens, are natives of Mexico. 



