572 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
below the rim, so that the roots can grow into the tan. There are now 
many named seedling varieties and hybrids which are cultivated in 
preference to the species. They are propagated from seed for new 
varieties and hybrids, and by means of offsets from the bulbs. 
SOME OTHER AMARYLLIDS 
Natural Order AMARYLLIDEZ 
THERE are a number of genera of this order, too important horti- 
culturally to be ignored, but which the plan of the work and exigencies 
of space will not allow us to treat at length. Among these are the 
genera— 
NERINE (the name of a water-nymph). A genus of about ten 
species of South African bulbous plants, with strap-shaped leaves 
and umbels of flowers, with the perianth divided into slender segments. 
The best-known species is Nerine sarniense, the Guernsey Lily, which 
was introduced in a singular manner. About the year 1680 a vessel 
was wrecked in the Channel, and among the wreckage washed ashore 
were a large number of bulbs of this plant. Many of them rooted and 
grew, naturalising themselves—though no longer to be found there. It 
has pale salmon-coloured flowers, which appear in autumn. WV. curvifolia 
(introduced 1788) has bright scarlet flowers, which appear in autumn. 
The potting mixture should be good loam and leaf-mould, with the 
addition of charcoal and sand. They require bottom-heat, though of a 
mild character, with plenty of moisture after growth has well started ; 
after completing their growth, which they make between October and 
May (they grow all through the winter), they should be allowed to 
rest, and when the leaves have died, the bulbs should be kept perfectly 
dry and cool until the flower-spikes appear, when they should be 
watered. There are many garden hybrids and seedlings. 
GALANTHUS (Greek, gala, milk, anthos, flower: milk-white flowers). 
A genus of three species of hardy bulbous plants, well known as 
Snowdrops, of which our native Galanthus nivalis is the type. There 
are only two leaves, and the flowers are solitary, hanging from the 
spathe at summit of the scape. The three inner segments of the 
perianth are much shorter than the outer three, and are marked 
with green. G. Hlwesii, introduced from Asia Minor, 1875, has larger 
flowers, but is otherwise similar. The third species is G. plicatus, 
introduced from the Crimea, 1818; it is of larger growth than G. nivalis, 
Rm 33h LA ae See ke ties 
