THE CYCLAMEN. 221 



silver-sand, placing the little bnlb abont half above the soil. 

 Place the pots on a light, airy shelf in the greenhouse, 

 watering moderately during the winter, and taking care 

 tliat the soil does not become sodden. Continue this culture 

 year by year, accommodating the size of the pots to that 

 of the bulbs. Seedlings bloom the third year. 



C. coum. — Leaves bright green, with red on the under- 

 side ; flowers bright red, produced external to the leaves, 

 to which they form a margin. A native of the south of 

 Europe, blooming in February and March, but sometimes 

 earlier. It has no fragrance. 



G. Neapolitanum. — Flowers red, or rosy pink, blooming 

 from October to Christmas, and succeeded by the foliage. 

 It goes to rest in April and May. A variety, alhum^ has 

 white flowers. Neither is fragrant. 



G. Eurnpceum. — A species with very variable foliage. 

 The leaves are heart-shaped, sometimes roundish, but never 

 as round as C. coum ; sometimes beautifully marbled. In 

 one variety they are very large, and the plant is almost an 

 evergreen and continuous blooming. The bulbs are knotty 

 and irregular, but sometimes round, smooth, and flat. The 

 flowers are red, rose, or pure white, deliciously fragrant, and 

 produced in August. 



