DESCRIPTIVE AND SELECTIVE. 221 



Much the most important species is Meadia, a 

 somewhat variable plant as to colour of flower, but 

 typically rosy-purple, and blooming in spring. It 

 grows about a foot high. There are many varieties, 

 notably album, white ; giganteum, a larger plant than 

 MeadiUj varying in colour ; and integrifoliuntj smaller 

 than the type and with rosy-red flowers. The last 

 is described as a distinct species by some authorities. 

 It is a native of the Rockies, and a charming little 

 plant for the rockery. Lancifolium, with narrower 

 leaves, is probably also a variety of Meadia, but it is 

 grown as a distinct species by some experts under the 

 name of Jeffreyanum. It is somewhat larger than the 

 type and a fine plant. The flowers are rose with yellow 

 markings. Clevelandii, growing about a foot high and 

 producing blue flowers is also a variety of Meadia, but 

 enjoys a drier soil. 



DOG'S TOOTH VIOLET. —Ste ERYTHRONIUM. 



DONDIA EPIPACTIS (Hacquetia).— A very 

 early blooming plant, dwarf and tufty in habit and 

 bearing yellow flowers. It grows vigorously and is 

 easily propagated by division in autumn. Ordinary 

 soil. 



DRAB A (Whitlow Grass). — ^These useful Alpines 

 form close cushions, thickly studded with small spikes 

 of bloom in spring, yellow or white in the case of most 

 of the species. They are such low, weak growers that 

 they are smothered if planted near coarse, aggressive 

 things. They should be planted in the sunniest 

 crevices. They are not fastidious about soil, so long 

 as it is gritty and well-drained. Propagation may be 



