SPIRAEA. 347 



about a foot and a half high, and sometimes produces 

 double flowers. 



The Spirasa Ulmaria, Meadow Sweet, or Queen of the 

 Meadows called in French, la reine des prcs ; Tormi'tre, 

 vignette [little vine] ; petite barbe de chevre [little goats 

 beard] : and in Italian, ulmaria ; regina del prati is like- 

 wise an herbaceous plant; it abounds in moist meadows, 

 perfuming the air with the Hawthorn-like scent of its 

 abundant white blossoms, throughout June, July, and 

 August. It grows three or four feet high. There is a 

 variety with double flowers. 



The most elegant kind is the Three-leaved Spiraea, but 

 that is very difficult to preserve : it should be in a bog, or 

 peat earth, and in a shady situation. 



Of the shrubby Spiraeas, the dead wood and the ir- 

 regular branches should be pruned off every year : the 

 suckers should likewise be removed, or they will starve the 

 old plant. They should be new-potted, and have fresh 

 earth given them every spring. 



Of the herbaceous sorts the roots may be parted in 

 autumn. They must all be kept moderately moist. Being 

 generally natives of cold countries, they do not fear the 

 cold. 



Clare mentions the Meadow Sweet, in speaking of the 

 effect of the noon-day sun upon flowers in the open coun- 

 try: 



" Oh ! to see how flowers are took, 

 How it grieves me when I look : 

 Ragged-robins,, once so pink, 

 Now are turned as black as ink, 

 And the leaves, being scorched so much, 

 Even crumble at the touch ; 

 Drowking lies the meadow-sweet, 

 Flopping down beneath one's feet : 

 While to all the flowers that blow, 

 If in open air they grow, 



