THE WHITE ROCKERY 99 



rare confusion between the lesser Cape bulbs, and 

 gladiolus ran into Watsonia ; and ixia embraced 

 babiana and morphixia sometimes ; and sparaxis 

 was always ixia too ; and antholyza helped to worry 

 the botanists also. Then appeared Mr. Gawler and 

 proposed to form a new genus and separate sparaxis 

 from the rest for evermore. The botanical world 

 smiled upon his idea, and this line bulb came to 

 its own. The rich black, yellow, and scarlet of 

 "Fire King" always creates a sensation in my 

 rockery. It is hardy as the type, and fears nothing 

 but slugs. Another choice sparaxis is " Lady Carey " 

 white with a shade of pale purple and " Queen 

 Victoria" is also good. 



Morphixia has a colour-scheme of warm pinks and 

 yellows. These plants are not as handsome as ixias, 

 and perhaps not quite as hardy ; but they are graceful 

 and pleasant, and eighteenpence a dozen, so you had 

 better try them. M. longiflora is really handsome. 



Many varieties of oxalis are hardy. There is no 

 prettier little mite in a striped white and scarlet 

 petticoat than versicolor. Bowiei, too, may be tried. 

 It is a lovely rose, and quite hardy. I know little of 

 this family, but have often admired the handsome 

 oxalis cernua abroad, and been annoyed by the busy 

 little ubiquitous corniculata at home. This climbs on 

 to the white rockery when my back is turned, tangles 

 into its betters, sends up saucy yellow blooms over its 

 purple leaves, and defies removal. 



Calochortus is a special favourite of mine. This 

 noble flower has a sloped bank in my rockery, and 



