74 THE WILD GARDEN. 



persed (n'er the central and southern parts of England and 

 Ireland. Plant it not far from the margin, and it likes rich 

 mnddy soil. The common Arrow Head (Sagittaria), very 

 freipient in England and Ireland, l)ut not in Scotland, might 

 l)e associated with this ; but there is a very much finer doulde 

 exotic kind, which is really a liandsome plant, its flowers 

 white, and resemblino;, but larger than, those of the old white 

 Double Eocket. This used to be grown in abundance in the 

 pleasure gardens at Eye House, Broxbourne, where it filled a 

 sort of oblong basin, or wide ditch, and was very handsome in 

 flower. It forms large egg-shaped tubers, or rather receptacles 

 of farina, and in searching for these, ducks destroyed the 

 plants occasionally. Calla palustris is a beautiful bog-plant, 

 and I know notliing that produces a more pleasing effect over 

 rich, soft, boggy ground. It will also grow by the side of 

 water. Calla sethiopica, the well-known and beautiful Lily 

 of the Nile, is hardy enough in some places if planted rather 

 deep, and in nearly all it may be placed out for the summer ; 

 but, except in quiet waters, in the south of England and Ire- 

 land, it will not thrive. However, as it is a plant so generally 

 cultivated, it may be tried without loss in favourable positions. 

 Pontederia cordata is a stout, firm-rooting, and perfectly hardy 

 water-herb, with erect and distinct habit, and blue flowers, 

 not difficult to obtain from botanic garden or nursery. The 

 Sweet-flag will be associated with the Water Iris (I. Pseu- 

 dacorus), and a number of exotic Irises will thrive in wet 

 ground, i.e. I. sibirica, ochreleuca, graminea, and many others. 

 Aponogeton distachyon is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, 

 a singularly pretty plant, which is hardy enough for our 

 climate, and, from its sweetness and curious beauty, a most 



