Flowers of May. 



267 



Robin;" but the plant to which that name rightfully belongs is Lychnis flos- 

 cucttli, a species inferior in beauty. 



Most of those familiar with New-England woods know the Cypripedium, 

 or lady's-slipper. Some varieties of it are perfectly manageable in the 

 garden. Among these, one of the prettiest, and certainly the easiest of 

 cultivation, is Cypripediimi parviflorum. Its color is bright yellow. It is 

 hardy, may be increased rapidly enough by dividing the roots, and grows 

 in a good garden loam, though it much prefers a soil of peat or well-rotted 

 leaves mixed with loam. It will be prudent to put a covering of leaves, or, 

 what is better, short pieces of boards, over it in winter. The most beauti- 

 ful of the genus Cypripcdium spedabile bears large white flowers tinged 

 with reddish purple. Its appropriate place is in a deep moist bed of peat, 

 and it is impatient of any other soil. 



Two species of Cerastium have lately been introduced, which, for sup- 

 plying masses of w^hite early in the season, will scarcely find their equals. 



