CHAP. IV. OKNAMENTAL ANNUALS. 315 



EPIGYNOUS EXOGENS. 



CAMPANULACE^E. 



Specularia. 



1. S. Speculum VENUS'S LOOKING-GLASS. An old, familiar 

 dwarf annual; bears small purplish-blue flowers in great 

 profusion, which remain long in bloom ; for effect requires to be 

 grown in masses. 2. S. pentagonia bears similar but larger ; 

 flowers ; and Campanula Loreyi is also very similar. Sow in 

 October. 



LOBELIACE^E. 

 Clintonia. 



C. pulchella. A dwarf annual, suited only for growing in pots ; 

 bears little dazzling, gem-like blue flowers, with yellow and 

 white eye; a truly lovely object when in full perfection of 

 bloom. The seeds are exceedingly small, and to distribute them 

 more evenly it is best to mix them in silver-sand, and throw 

 the mixture pinch by pinch over the soil. Sow in October. 

 The following is the substance of directions given by Sir J. 

 Paxton : 



" Sow thinly in light sandy soil, as thick sowing is very in- 

 jurious. Shift continually. Plant three in a pot, the soil of which 

 is comprised of leaf-mould, sand, and well-decomposed manure. In 

 proportion to the richness of the soil the larger the flowers and the 

 finer the bloom. Well stop by pinching off the tops; and they 

 will flower in a manner altogether surpassing belief." * 



They require abundance of water, and are best kept with the 

 pots standing in water. In the vicinity of Calcutta I have met 

 but with little success in the cultivation of this annual. 



Lobelia. 



Lovely little pot-annuals ; continue in blossom a great length 

 of time; thrive well in India, cultivated in the same way 

 precisely as directed for Clintonia. 



1. L. speciosa. Bears small flowers of intense smalt-blue with 

 a bright white spot. 



* ' Magazine of Botany,' vol. iv. p. H6. 



