CLEMATIS. 



\Clematis virginiana L.) 



The term Clematis is commonly used 

 in a generic sense, referring to a num- 

 ber of species. They are perennial 

 herbs or vines, rather woody, and climb- 

 ing by the bending or clasping of leaf- 

 stalks. The leaves are pinnate, variously 

 cut or lobed, opposite ; the flowers are 

 showy, variously colored, and with only 

 one floral covering, namely the calyx 

 (sepals), the corolla (petals) being want- 

 ing or rudimentary. The various spe- 

 cies belong to the Crowfoot family 

 (Ranunculaceae). 



The plants are extensively cultivated 

 as ornamental plants. The common 

 Clematis, Traveller's Joy or Virgin's 

 Bower, is a climbing plant, with three 

 smooth leaflets which are more or less 

 cut or lobed and heart-shaped at the 

 base. The flowers are white or whitish. 

 It is quite common along river banks 

 and flowers in July and August. . 



Clematis has been known and culti- 

 vated for many centuries. Several spe- 

 cies were known to Dioscorides. It has 

 figured extensively in folklore. Gerarde 

 says: "The Virgin's Bower is worthy to 

 be so called by reason of the goodly 

 shadow which the branches make with 

 their thick bushing and climbing, >t3 also 

 for the beauty of the flowers, and the 

 scent and savour of the same." In the 



language of flowers Clematis signifies 

 artifice and mental beauty. On the con- 

 tinent of Europe Clematis erecta and 

 Clematis flammula are used by beggars 

 to produce artificial ulcers on their 

 limbs to incite pity. In America, ac- 

 cording to Geyer, the roots of a species 

 of Clematis are used by the Indians as a 

 stimulant to horses which fall down at 

 the races. The scraped end of the root 

 is held to the nostrils of the fallen ani- 

 mal, which begins to tremble, and then 

 rising is conducted to water to refresh 

 itself. 



A.S already indicated, there are many 

 species of Clematis in America, Europe, 

 Asia and India, and in other countries 

 and islands. Besides the many culture 

 varieties derived from wild species di- 

 rectly, there are numerous varieties the 

 result of artificial crossing (cross polli- 

 nation) of which the following are per- 

 haps the most handsome: The Jackmann, 

 John Gould, Lucy Lemoine, Miss Bate- 

 man, Prince of Wales and Sir Garnet 

 Wolseley. 



Clematis makes beautiful arbor plants 

 and may be trained to almost any sort 

 of support. They require considerable 

 sunlight and fairly good soil. They are 

 propagated from cuttings and grafting. 

 Albert Schneider. 



AFTER TWILIGHT. 



{From the Latin.) 



'Twas night, 

 And all life 



Dreaming in repose, was still ; 

 The fields — the wood — the mountain rill. 

 The beasts. 



And many tinted birds. 



The fishes in the lakes, 

 The herds. 

 The golden stars sailed on, 

 And sorrow; 

 Care, 



And sin had gone. 



I ^- i — Tac Lowell. 



288 J 



