xx Introduction. 



species would prove hardy in the south-western parts of the 

 kingdom. The temperate parts of South America are also 

 barely represented in our borders. Geum Chiloense, Loasa 

 aurantiaca, Fuchsia macrostema, and the less known, some- 

 what tender GKmnera scabra, are the nearest approach to hardy 

 subjects from that part of the world. South Africa, although 

 nearly 20 farther north, contributes many more species than 

 South America. They are chiefly bulbous plants, or belonging 

 to the Liliacese and Iridese, to which we shall allude again 

 below. Classifying herbaceous plants according to duration and 

 hardiness, we shall see whence we obtain the greater part of 

 the more familiar species. 



Annuals, hardy and half-hardy, find their maximum in 

 California and Mexico, where they are exceedingly numerous 

 and diversified. A reference to the following orders will be 

 sufficient to give an idea of the richness of this region in plants 

 of annual duration. Papaveracese, Cruciferse, Onagrariese, Coin- 

 positse, Polemoniacese, Hydrophyllacese, and Scrophularinese. 

 The region ranking next in order of richness is the Mediter- 

 ranean South of Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor. As 

 examples we may mention : Candytuft, Virginian Stock, 

 Mignonette, Convolvulus tricolor, Larkspur, Sweet Pea, Com- 

 mon Marigold, Ten-Week and other Stocks, and Lavatera 

 trimestris. In addition there are numerous species belonging 

 to the Caryophyllese, Cruciferse, Composite, and other orders. 

 Australasia furnishes a few half-hardy, the most noteworthy 

 of which are those bearing ' everlasting flowers,' belonging to 

 the genera Helichrysum, Helipterum, Waitzia (Morna), and 

 Ehodanthe, all members of the Composite. Chili also con- 

 tributes a few half-hardy species, as Portulaca, Calandrinia, 

 Salpiglossis, Schizopetalon (hardy), and Sehizanthus. From 

 South Africa the number is still more limited, and none of the 

 species are in general cultivation. Mesembryanthernum tri- 

 color, Kaulfussia amelloides, Heliophila spp., Grammanthes 

 gentianoides, and Venidium calendulaceum are natives of that 

 region. Japan and China, both so rich in ornamental ever- 

 green trees and shrubs, and perennial herbs, add scarcely any 

 remarkable species to our list of annuals. Callistephus hor- 

 tensis, the China Aster, is, however, an important exception. 



