THE FERRARIA. 173 



When well grown, it is very showy ; for, although the 

 individual flowers are small and dull-colored, they are 

 produced on a long spike in great profusion. 



F. meleagris. This is the well-known guinea-hen 

 flower, and is a native of England. The bulb is 

 small, white, and flat, and produces one large nodding 

 flower. The species is perfectly hardy, and requires 

 only the same care as a crocus, except that it does 

 not need frequent replanting. There are other species, 

 of which we may mention F. latifolia and tenella, which 

 resemble F. meleagris, F. luted with yellow, and F. 

 oUigua with dark-purple flowers. 



THE FERRARIA. 



These are Cape bulbs, and are worthy of culture 

 by the amateur, though the flowers are dull-colored. 

 They require to be potted in October, in sandy loam, 

 with a little peat, moderately watered during growth, 

 and kept perfectly dry when at rest. They flower in 

 early spring, and then immediately lose their foliage. 



The plants are all dwarf, and the bulbs small: in 

 growth, they need a light, airy situation. 



