Mohria 



82 ) 



Moluccella 



to Arenaria sperguloides, and muscosa of Luce to 

 Sagina procumbens by Index Ketcentis. 



MOHRIA. (FKANKINCENSE FEBN.) 



There is only one species in this genus of Ferns 

 (ord. Filices), and it is a pretty greenhouse plant 

 with scented fronds, and the habit of a Cheilanthes. 

 Propagation is by spores, which are freely produced. 

 Soil, fibrous peat and sand, with a few pieces of 

 sandstone and charcoal. Mohrias have been 

 declared difficult to grow, but they are not so if 

 given free drainage, soil as above, a light shelf in a 

 cool greenhouse, and a fair amount of water at the 

 roots and none overhead. They detest syringing. 



Only Species and its Variety : 

 caffrorum, fronds 6" to achillesefolia, fronds 

 18" long, 2" to 4" very finely cut. 

 broad, tripimiatitid thurifragra (see caffro- 

 (ayn. thurifragra). rum). 



MOLDENHAWERA (jn. DOLICHO- 



NBMA). 



A small genus of stove trees (ord. Leguminosae) 

 of little garden value. Probably none of the 

 species is now in cultivation, although floribunda 

 has been introduced. 



MOLE. 



Although the mole (Talpa europasa) is carnivor- 

 ous, as is evidenced by its teeth, and despite the 

 fact that it feeds upon various insects and their 

 larvae, and earthworms, and might therefore be 

 reckoned in some measure a friend of the gardener, 

 its habits of burrowing under lawns and grass paths 

 more than outweigh any good it might do. Its 

 home is generally in some dry, secure place, such 

 as underneath the roots of a tree, or beneath a large 

 stone, but it makes its runs for long distances from 

 its headquarters, and where they are upon the lawn 

 they interfere seriously with the work of the 

 mowing machine. The female makes a nest of 

 dried grass or leaves, and brings forth four or five 

 young ones at a birth. Although moles are 

 popularly regarded as being blind, they have eyes, 

 which are, however, small and deeply seated. On 

 the other hand, their powers of hearing and smell 

 are very acute. It is well, therefore, when setting 

 traps for them, that the operator should wear 

 gloves. 



Steel spring traps are commonly used ; they can 

 be obtained for a few pence each, and have quite 

 superseded the wooden spring and string traps 

 which mole catchers of the old school were wont 

 to use. 



The traps should be set carefully in the principal 

 run, all loose earth knocked into the passage 

 during the process being removed, so as to give no 

 warning of the obstruction. Also the light should 

 be carefully excluded by packing earth or grass 

 about the trap outside. Neglect of this little item 

 will mean failure. Where many moles are present 

 it will be well to call in a professional mole catcher, 

 but for one or two there is no need to do this. 



MOLE CRICKET. 



This curious-looking insect, which is one of the 

 Gryllidse (ord. Orthoptera), is dun brown above, yel- 

 lowish red below, and has a peculiar velvety gloss. 

 The popular name of Mole Cricket is not due to the 



Moldavian Plum (see Jiracoceplialum MoldaiAca). 



gloss, but to the resemblance that the two front 

 legs bear to those of a mole. They are, in fact, 

 meant to serve the same end, viz. that of digging 

 and burrowing. The female's nest is underground, 

 and contains from 200 to 400 eggs. From the egg 

 to the perfect insect takes a period of from two to 

 three years. While the Mole Crickets feed to a 

 considerable extent upon insects and worms, they 

 also prey upon the roots of Potatoes, Potherbs, and 

 various flowers, so that to this extent they must 

 be classed as enemies. They are found most 

 frequently upon light, sandy soils, rarely upon cul- 

 tivated ones. Pieces of raw meat may be inserted 

 in the soil as traps, each piece with a stick 

 attached, or petroleum may be poured into their 

 nests and burrows. The latter method is, however, 

 impracticable where plants are growing. For the 

 same reason digging the insects out is usually 

 impracticable. 



MOLINIA. 



The principal species is a tall, hardy Grass (ord. 

 Gramineae) of tufted habit, and a fairly common 

 British weed. It grows on bleak, sodden moors. 

 The variegated form is cultivated as an edging 

 plant. Propagation, by seeds, and division for the 

 variegated form. 



Principal Species and Variety : 



- variegata, variegated 

 Ivs. 



ceerulea., 1' to 3', hdy., 

 British. 



MOLO- 



MOLOPOSPERMUM 



SPEBJIUM). 



An elegant, Fern - like, hardy perennial (ord. 

 Umbelliferse), suitable for naturalising in the wilder 

 parts of the garden. It may be increased by root 

 division in spring, or by seeds, which should be 

 sown as soon as ripe. Deep, rich soil is preferred, 

 though not indispensable. 



Only Species : 



cicutarium, 3' to 5', My., hdy., yel.,wh., fruit yel., br. 



MOLTKIA. 



Elegant hardy or half-hardy herbaceous peren- 

 nials (ord. Boraginete). They may be propagated 

 by cuttings in a cold frame, in sandy soil. The 

 hardy species like a sunny, well-drained nook in 

 the rockery, with sandy loam for soil. 



Principal Species : 



coerulea, 1', Ap., hdy., bl., petrsea, 6" to 8", Je., cool 

 pur. grh., pk., pur., deepbl. 



graminifolia (.ice Litho- (*//. Lithospermum 



spermum graminifo- pctneum of liotattieal 



hum). Mniiiiziiie 594'2, and 



Ecliium petneum). 



MOLUCCELLA. 



A small genus of hardy and half-hardy annuals 

 (ord. Labiatse), propagated by seeds, which should 

 be sown in heat in spring and the plants put out 

 in May. They thrive in a sandy loam. Lsevis 

 makes an excellent subject for skeletonising. 



Principal Species : 



tevis, 1' toli',Aug. ,luly., spinosa, hdy., wh. (syn 

 wh. Chasmonia incisa). 



Molina (of Ruiz and Pavon, see Baccliaris], 

 Mollia (of \\~il<li'ninr, see Polycarptea). 

 Mollm/a (sue (.ire-r'Mea!). 

 Molucca (see Molticctlla). 

 Moly (see Allium Moly). 



