DESCRIPTIVE AND SELECTIVE. 243 



MERTENSIA (Lungwort). — ^The best known 

 member of this genus is that commonly called Virginica, 

 but also known as pulmonarioides , the Virginian 

 Cowslip. It is a charming American plant, a little 

 spreading, but not gross in habit, with arching stems 

 carrying blue flowers tinted with rose. It will grow 

 freely in cool, moist clayey or peaty soils, especially if 

 partially shaded ; it does not care for hot, dry places. 

 It may be increased by division in autumn. Less 

 familiar, but a very good plant, is sihirica, which has 

 glaucous leaves and produces pale blue flowers in May. 

 There are several varieties of it, notably a white, alha. 

 These will thrive in ordinary garden soil, and are 

 increased by division, 



MITCHELLA REPENS (Partridge Berry).— 

 This pretty Uttle American evergreen is worth growing 

 for the sake of its scarlet berries, which are abundant 

 in autumn, following white, scented flowers. It likes 

 moist soil in a partially shaded position, and may be 

 propagated by division in spring. 



MODIOLA GERANIOIDES.—A tuberous-rooted 

 trailer, alhed to the Mallows, with crimson flowers. It 

 thrives in gritty loam, and may be increased by division. 



MORI SI A HYPOGMA.—K pretty Uttle Alpine, 

 with deeply cut leaves, which form a dense carpet, 

 and yellow flowers in early summer. It does well in 

 gritty loam, and may be raised from seed, sown out 

 of doors late in spring, or by pieces of the root. 



MUSCARI (Grape Hyacinth). — ^The charming 

 Grape Hyacinths make lovely colonies in the rock 

 garden or on shady banks, especially if the soil is cool 



