206 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



sessile, and dotted beneath ; the corolla, expanding only 

 in fine weather, is ragged, glandulouse. It will succeed 

 in a sandy loam, and grow from cuttings or from seed. 

 The flowers are orange scarlet, of engaging appearance, 

 and require a trellis to show them to advantage. Their 

 pretty little corollas open only when the sun shines ; when 

 the clouds obscure the sky, and it is likely to rain, they 

 close up. This is a singular instinct in this plant. It 

 flowers from June to September. Although considered a 

 weed in Europe, and found only in cultivated fields, it 

 is a great favorite not only with the florist, but with 

 birds and insects, who seek and devour the seeds with 

 avidity. 



The beauty of this flower recommends itself to the no- 

 tice of the ladies. When on a trellis, its numerous flowers 

 of scarlet, with a purple circle at the eye, which open at 

 7 o'clock in the morning, and close at 2, make a beautiful 

 appearance. 



A. carulea is the blue flowered Pimpernel, having a 

 carmine spot on the base of each. As the scarlet is 

 marked with the purple, some of the ancient writers are 

 of opinion that the blue is the female and the red the 

 male plant. It has often been remarked that sheep will 

 not eat the blue variety, but will the scarlet. This appears 

 strange, and shows there must be a vast difference in the 

 two plants. Both plants are highly esteemed, and should 

 be cultivated in the same room ; their beautiful contrast in 

 colors rrakes them more interesting. 



A. fruiticosa, the large flowered Pimpernel, is another 

 and desirable variety. The leaves are more lance shaped 

 and less oval, and more splendid than A. arvensis, and dif- 



