THE ARUM. 239 



sandy loam, with a portion of peat ; and arc propagated by- 

 division, and rarely by seed. The plants begin to grow in 

 the spring, when they shonld be repotted : in the autnmn 

 they rest, and should be allowed to dry off, but never to 

 become very dry. Some of the stove species, however, are 

 evergreen. 



A. dracunculus is very showy when in bloom. 



The most common species are, — 



A. {Ariscema) dracont'ium. — The common green-dragon, 

 with tall, hand-shaped leaves, and bright-green flowers. 

 A native of Xorth America, and hardy in any damp garden- 

 soil. 



A. dracunculus. — The well-known dragon-plant, growing 

 several feet high, with a large, blackish-purple flower. 

 This species may be potted in autumn, and will bloom in 

 spring : it should have a rather large pot. With us it 

 requires greenhouse protection. It is sometimes grown as 

 a house-plant ; but its rank smell does not recommend it for 

 the parlor. 



A. Italicum. — A small-growing species, with greenish- 

 yellow flowers, requiring greenhouse treatment witli us, and 

 not very ornamental. 



A. tenuifolium. — Also a low-growing species, with white 



