PLANTS GROWING IN MOIST SOIL. 



FRINGED GENTIAN. (Plate LXIV.) 



Gentiana crinlta. 



FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 



Gentian Brilliant blue, or Scentless. Mostly north and September, October. 



IV 'kite. west - 



Flowers ; terminal; solitary. Calyx : of four unequal pointed sepals. Co- 

 roll 'i funnel-form; two inches broad; with four rounded lobes exquisitely 

 fringed at the edges. Stamens : four ; with glands at the bases of the filaments. 

 Pistil : one, with two stigmas. Leaves ; opposite ; lanceolate ; clasping ; sharply 

 pointed. Stem ; one to two feet high. 



Something preliminary is almost necessary before venturing 

 to speak of the fringed gentian ; and even then it should be 

 done with bated breath, for is it not the flower that has inspired 

 poets and statesmen to such an extent that they have barely 

 been able to write soberly about it ? And truly it is a heavenly 

 flower. But to those that are a bit worldly and have not the 

 poetical soul it must always suggest that it has been gowned 

 by nature's Worth ; it is so chausse'e a ravir. The beautiful 

 fringe is but the latest conceit of fashion ; and the soft green of 

 its calyx, blending with its incomparable blue, is an example of 

 the most ravishing taste. If we could indulge in such levity, 

 we would almost look up its sleeves for hors de combat. That it 

 enjoys its good clothes we may be sure. It is a gay, delightful 

 creature and sheds about its blandishments in the most open- 

 hearted manner. It is fond of wandering, too, and though we 

 mark the spot where it grows we may seek in vain for it in the 

 same place the next year. This characteristic, however, it 

 owes to being a biennial. At night the fair flower closes. 



CLOSED GENTIAN. (Plate LXF) 



Gentiana Andreivsii. 



FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 



Gentian. Deep blue. Scentless. Mostly north. Autumn. 



Fl&wers : terminal and clustered in the axils of the leaves. Calyx : of four or 

 five-cleft sepals. Corolla : about an inch in length ; closed at the top. Stamens: 

 four or five. Pistil : one, with two stigmas. Leaves : opposite ; lanceolate and 

 enveloping the terminal flowers. Stem ' one to two feet high; smooth; erect. 



The closed gentian always appears as though it had the sulks. 



