318 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
are only about half an inch across. Introduced 1861. Cultivation as 
directed under Cockscoms, which see. 
AMMOBIUM (Greek, ammos, sand, and bios, life: in reference to its 
sandy habitat). A genus consisting of two species of Australian “ever- 
lastings,” differing from all the others in having toothed, chaffy scales 
upon the receptacle, between the florets, Ammobium alatum has winged 
stems, 1} to 2 feet high, springing from a rosette of oblong-lance-shaped 
leaves. The bracts of the flower-heads are silvery white, the florets 
yellow, the entire head about an inch across; May to September. Intro- 
duced from Holland (1822). There is a var. grandiflorum, with flowers 2 
inches across, of a purer white : it comes true from seed. Itisa perennial, 
but is best treated as a biennial, the seed being sown in the greenhouse 
in September, and the seedlings kept there until late in spring, when 
they may be planted outside in any good soil. 
HuMEA (named in honour of the wife of Sir Abraham Hume). A 
genus of four Australian herbs and shrubs, with alternate entire leaves, 
and numerous small flower-heads in dense corymbs or loose panicles. 
The principal species is Humea elegans, an ornamental biennial herb, 5 
or 6 feet high, with large stem-clasping, oblong or lance-shaped leaves, 
and minute brownish red, pink, or crimson flower-heads in an immense, 
loose, drooping-branched panicle; July to October. Introduced from 
from its tall, graceful, drooping habit, makes a good subject for the centre 
of a bed, or the back of a border. Seed should be sown about J uly, in 
fine light soil, placed in a cool frame. The seedlings should be potted 
aS soon as they can be handled, in a light soil in small pots, and, when 
these are well filled with roots, repotted in a rich compost of loam and 
well-rotted manure, to Which a little charcoal has been added. They 
should be given plenty of light and air, and grown on until the winter, 
when they should be allowed to rest, and be kept nearly dry. When 
planted out in Summer they must be secured to stakes and sheltered 
from strong winds, 
ARNICA (Greek, arnakis, lambskin: texture of leaf). A genus of 
hardy, dwarf, perennial herbs, distinguished from Senecio by the in- 
volucre being bell-shaped, with the bracts in two series. The principal 
Species are Arnica chamissonis, a North American species growing 
om 1 to 2 feet high, with oblong-lance-shaped woolly leaves, and 
showy yellow flower-heads 1} to 2 inches across; June to September. 
