74 Alpine Plants. 
Lychnis Lagascx (Pyrenees). 
This plant requires a rocky ground, south 
position, loam, sand, and grit. 
Lychnis pyrenaica (Pyrenees). 
This is purely a rock Alpine, revelling in sunny 
niches of the rockery. It is one of those curious 
plants which gather the seed-vessels towards them- 
selves before these ripen; when ripe the seed-lobe 
springs open, throwing the seed all amongst the 
rocks, where it takes root and grows. Hence, if 
planted high up, there should always be ledging 
below, so that when the plant ripens its seed it may 
throw it upon the shelves beneath, where it will 
germinate and cling to the least bit of rock or earth. 
In planting, wedge the plant tightly between two 
pieces of limestone, and use a compost of limestone 
and loam. 
Macrotomia echioides, syn. Arnebia echioides (Armenia). 
Plant in a position a little shaded from the 
midday sun, on a well-drained, sunny site, with a 
south aspect, in good, somewhat retentive, loam 
without sand. In planting, provide plenty of depth 
downwards for the roots, cramping the surface space 
as much as possible by stones half embedded around 
the plant, as then the foliage does not grow so rank 
and large, and the plant flowers more freely. In early 
spring, about the month of March, a top-dressing of 
half grit and half rough loam around the collar of the 
plant is very beneficial to retain moisture for it in the 
dry weather. As they die down after frost, all the 
débris of dead leaves should be removed to prevent 
