HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS, ETC. 231 



held close up to the open flowers. This was supposed to 

 be an explosion of gas, bnt close investigation has shown 

 that it is the result of the combustion of an easily ignited 

 wax secreted on the petals. 



CARNATION-PINKS (Dianthus caryophyllus), Fig. 130. 

 Some of the varieties of the carnation-pink are hardy, 

 very beautiful, and easily grown from seed and also by slips. 

 To have them go through the winter uninjured they should 

 be given a slight protection of straw or pine boughs. 



PLANTAIN-LILY (Funkia subcordata) , Fig. 131. A 

 most beautiful old garden-plant with large cordate leaves 



FIG. 131. PLANTAIN-LILY (Funkia sub-cordata). 



of a light green color, producing clusters of pure white 

 flowers. Very ornamental in the garden and succeeds well 

 in tubs or boxes on the lawn or veranda. 



MIST-PLANT (Gypsopliylla paniculata). A tall plant 

 with small glaucous leaves and a very large open panicle of 

 minute white flowers that are very pretty for lightening up 

 bouquets and arranging with all kinds of flowers. It is 

 perfectly hardy and requires but little care to keep it grow- 

 ing to perfection. 



