88 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 



EEIOSPEEMUM. 



A small genus of Cape of Good Hope bulbs, produc- 

 ing their flowers before the leaves ; they have neither 

 beauty nor interest enough to warrant their cultivation. 



ERYTHKONIUM. 



Dog's Tooth Violet. 



A small genus of very beautiful liliaceous plants, 

 found throughout temperate North America. One spe- 

 cies is common in Europe. Why it should be called a 

 violet, to which it has not the slightest resemblance, is 

 one of the mysteries that surround plant nomenclature. 

 Although they are native plants, they do not thrive well 

 when taken from their wild homes in the moist woods. 

 They will, however, succeed well, if planted in moist 

 soil in partial shade, but they must have that protection 

 which nature affords them, a covering of leaves in 

 autumn ; this protects against cold in winter and drouth 

 in summer, both of which they resent. The species are : 



E. dens-canis (Dog's Tooth Violet). This species 

 is common in the South of Europe, and is perfectly 

 hardy in English gardens, but needs protection in Amer- 

 ica. The flowers are variable, from white to deep pur- 

 ple. When once planted, the bulbs should never be 

 removed, unless absolutely necessary ; and when they 

 are taken up, they should be replanted as soon as possi- 

 ble, as, if suffered to dry, they shrivel up and soon 

 decay. The flowers appear in May, and contrast finely 

 with their beautifully variegated foliage. Propagation 

 is effected by offsets. 



E. americanum (Yellow Adder's Tongue). This 

 is the well-known species of our woods ; flowers droop- 

 ing, brown outside, bright yellow within ; there seems 

 to be several varieties, with larger or smaller flowers, all 

 of the same general character, the difference probably 

 being caused by the locality in which they grow ; their 

 foliage is beautifully spotted. 



