148 



eupliony, Hedyotis would be better, certainly even preferable 

 to Oldenlandia. 



The bluets grow readily on transplanting and even sow 

 themselves spontaneously. A small seedling tuft grew and 

 blossomed nearly two entire summers in the shade of some 

 trees in my garden ; and I am informed that they force well, 

 if taken and potted in the autumn, blooming in the parlor very 

 early. I have seen them do finely on artificial rockworks, 

 insinuating their delicate roots into the interstices of the 

 stones, wdiile their humble size renders them well adapted to 

 such, garden cultivation. Perhaps too, improvements in colors 

 and even in size could be secured by raising a succession of 

 seedling plants, after a period of culture. 



Another of the flowers, presented this evening, was the 

 Saxifraga Virginiensis or Early Saxifrage. This pretty blos- 

 som is eagerly sought for, among the sunny rocks, as well 

 known for its tendency to mark the advance of the May days, 

 though its full spread cyme of flowers is not seen until later 

 in the season. The Chair had a root brought to him a few 

 years since, with double flowerSj which though carefully, (per- 

 haps too carefully) looked after, unfortunately perished. He 

 mentioned the fact for the benefit of amateurs of our wild 

 plants, and to induce them to be on the alert to detect any 

 other instances, that might occur. The beauty of the plant 

 was greatly enhanced by this sport of nature, and rendered 

 the subject of it well worthy any garden. 



Still another was the Bloodroot or Sanguinaria Canadensis, 

 so early and so fugacious that it might be called the New 

 England crocus, coming when the crocuses do in our gardens 

 and not a whit inferior to them. This plant grows in profusion 

 Avith the Dog's Tooth Violet, Erythronium Americanum, on 

 the Forest River Road to Lynn, and elsewhere in several spots 

 in the Great Pasture. In cultivation it readily produces seeds 

 and sows itself ; but as yet no very great improvement has 

 been noticed ; perhaps the size of the leaves or length of the 

 petals are all. Could it be induced to grow double or multi- 

 plex in its flowers, we should have a gem indeed, to add to the 



