CaryopJiyllece Gypsophila. 69 



other decorative purposes. It grows from 1 to 3 feet high and 

 bears a great profusion of small white flowers. It is a very 

 diffuse much-branched plant, succeeding best when treated as 

 an annual. 



2. G. prostrata. A trailing species with narrow lanceolate 

 glaucous leaves and pink flowers. 



G. muralis, Steveni, elegans, repens, and glauca? syn. acuti- 

 folia, are similar species with white or pink flowers. The two 

 first are of annual duration. 



4. SAPONARIA. 



Annual or perennial herbs, differing from the last genus in 

 having the calyx constricted at the top and not membranaceous 

 between the nerves, and from Silene in having only two styles, 

 and especially in the obscure nervation of the calyx. There 

 are about thirty species, chiefly from southern Europe and 

 extra-tropical Asia. The name is from the Latin sopo, soap, 

 from the properties of S. officinalis. 



1. S. officinalis. Soapwort. An erect glabrous rather 

 stout perennial plant 2 to 3 feet high. Leaves oblong-lanceo- 

 late, about 3 inches long, 3-ribbed. Flower 1 inch across, pink 

 or white, double or single, produced in terminal clustered 

 cymes. This is found in some parts of England, but is not 

 truly indigenous. There is a variety called hybrida having a 

 monopetalous corolla. 



2. S. ocymoldes. A dwarf densely-branched procumbent 

 perennial species with ovate-lanceolate leaves and rosy purple 

 or pink flowers. A very desirable little plant, producing its 

 flowers in abundance nearly all the Summer. A native of 

 Europe. 



3. S. Calabrica. This is of annual duration and one of the 

 handsomest of that class of plants. It does not exceed a foot 

 in height and its rosy-pink flowers though small are so nume- 

 rous as to be highly effective. There is also a white-flowered 

 variety. South of Europe. 



5. SILENE. 



A large genus of annual and perennial herbs of variable 

 habit. Flowers terminal, solitary, cymose, paniculate, or in 

 one-sided spikes. Calyx more or less inflated, 5-toothed, 10- 

 nerved. Petals 5 ; claws narrow ; blade entire or divided, 

 often with two scales at its base. Stamens 10. Styles 3. 



