SQUILLS 597 
at first be in contact with the water, but after the roots have grown an 
inch long the water should be reduced so that it is half an inch below 
the bulb. As soon as the bulbs are placed in position, remove glasses and 
all to some dark, dry, cool, and airy place: in a close, damp cupboard the 
bulbs will probably mildew and the leaves grow long and white. Unless 
the water smells offensively it should not be changed ; neither should the 
bulb be lifted, except to pour in sufficient water to make up for what the 
roots have absorbed. Examine them from time to time to see that all is 
right, and in about a month’s time the glasses will be found fairly filled 
with roots. Gradually let in light, until the glasses can be placed in 
their permanent positions in the window, near the glass. The glasses 
selected for this form of culture should be fitted with wire supports for 
the long, heavy flower-spikes. 
Description of Hyacinthus orientalis, the Garden Hyacinth. The 
Plate 277. bulb, leaves, and two forms of the flowers are shown. 
Fig. 1 is a section of a single flower; 2, the ovary and style; 3, a 
transverse section of the ovary. 
SQUILLS 
Natural Order LiniacE&®. Genus Scilla 
SciLua (the old Greek name for these plants). A genus of about eighty 
species of bulbous perennials with slender, radical leaves, and usually 
blue flowers, borne in racemes on simple, leafless scapes. The perianth 
consists of six segments, nearly equal, free or slightly connected at the 
ase. There are six stamens, with flattened filaments and oblong anthers. 
The ovary is egg-shaped, with a thread-like style and minute stigma. 
The fruit is a triangular, three-valved capsule, containing many black 
seeds. The distribution of the species is chiefly European (three British), 
Western Asian, and Extra-tropical African. . 
f this extensive genus of bright little flowers we have 
the good fortune to possess three native species, of which, 
however, only one, the familiar Wild Hyacinth or Bluebell, Scilla nutans, 
is at all widely distributed. Of the exotic species, S. hyacinthoides has 
been longest in our gardens, its introduction from South Europe having 
taken place about 1585. Between that date and 1596 S. amena, the Star 
Hyacinth, came from the same neighbourhood, as also S. italica in 1605. 
The strangely named Cuban Lily, S. peruviana, which is really a native 
of Algeria and neighbouring countries, was introduced, vid Spain, in 1607. 
1V.—26 
History. 
