5 6 PHACELIA BIPINNATIFIDA.—BIPINNATE PHACELIA. 
son county, Indiana. He says: “Phacelia bipinnatifida, Mx., 
seems to be very uncertain in its growth. For two seasons | 
watched closely for it and did not secure a single specimen; but 
this spring our hill-sides are fairly blue with it, and its presence 
may be perceived by the peculiar pungent odor rising from it.” 
This periodicity in their appearance has however been noted in 
connection with some other plants; but whether it be that the 
seed retains its vitality for several years until a favorable 
season occurs for its germination, or whether it be that there 
were a few plants that escaped the researcher's observation, 
which perfected seed, and 2. favorable season following encour- 
aged toa more than usual growth, has never been clear to the 
mind of the writer, and renewed observations are needed. 
It is a biennial and has often been introduced to culture, but 
has never become a stancard stock in seedsmen’s catalogues, 
showing that it does not remain long in gardens. Possibly its 
shade-loving character, as judged from its native locations, 
renders it impatient of open sunny garden borders; but its beauty 
when under favorable circumstances should make it worth while 
to attempt to humor it. 
The drawing for our plate was made from a plant under Mr. 
Dawson’s charge in the Arnold Arboretum of Cambridge, 
Massachusetts. 
