Explanatory. 29 



are freely produced, and of the loveliest blue. It is 

 scarcely a British flower " to the manner born," so 

 to speak, being a native of the south of Europe ; 

 but having strayed into our wilds and plantations 

 occasionally, it is now included in most books on 

 British plants. A. ranunculoides, a doubtful native, 

 found in one or two spots, but not really British, is 

 well worth growing, being very beautiful, and form- 

 ing tufts of golden yellow. 



The beautiful new and large A. angulosa I have 

 seen growing almost as freely as Celandine among 

 shrubs and in half-shady spots, and we all know how 

 readily the old kinds grov.' on all garden soils of 

 ordinary quality. There are about ten or twelve 

 varieties of the common Hepatica (Anemone Hepa- 

 tica) grown in British nurseries and gardens, and all 

 the colours of the species should be represented in 

 every collection of spring flowers. 



Many will doubtless remember with pleasure 

 the prettily-buttoned white flowers of the Fair 

 Maids of France (Ranunculus aconitifolius fl. pi.,) 

 and in a half-shady rich border it is a beautiful and 

 first-class plant ; but I am disposed to think more 

 of the double varieties of the British Ranun- 

 culuses, because of their greater hardiness and 

 vigour. Weed as is the common R. acris, its 



