GRAl'E HYACINTH. 99 



which rise dense elusters of egg'-sliai^ed Howers of a dark 

 purple or eobalt-blue colour, with distinct white limb or 

 perianth. The varieties are mau\', but it is sufficient to 

 name J/, founiinlalinii and J/, iieijlccl inn. 



The feather h^'acinth (i)/. coiiioxinii iiiiiii.slro.sii in) may 

 perplex the student of plant form who is not yet familiar 

 with the simple means adopted b)' nature for makintj;' sister 

 plants very unlike one another. In this the divisions of 

 tlie tlowcr are cut into wavy filaments, and the appearance 

 of a feather is the result. 



The Armenian grape hyacinth {M. A niieiiiaciuii) is a 

 rare and most Ijcautiful species, or perha2)s a variety of 

 M. rnceiiioKiiiii . Its flowers appear later than the others 

 in a dense spike ; their colour is a rich dark blue. Closely 

 allied to this is J/, .szuvdziaiiiim , also flowering- late. 



The musk hyacinth [M. inosc/iataiii) is as scarce as the 

 feather h^^acinth, and equally worthy of attention. It is 

 not a showy plant, but its delicate musky fragrance com- 

 mends it to our favourable attention. In its normal form 

 the Howers are of an unattractive yellow or yellowisii- 

 green coloiu', and would often be unnoticed except for 

 their fragrance. But we are not restricted to this ordinary 

 form when in want of musk hyacinths, because the variety 

 known as M. luteinii is of a beautiful sulphur-yellow colour 

 and a waxy texture, and is richly scented. 



All these pleasing subjects are of an accommodating 

 nature, and need no special cultivation. A rich, deep, 

 sandy loam will suit them better than any other soil; but 

 any soil that will grow a daisy or a daffodil will serve 

 the purpose. But they want something, or how shall Ave 

 account for the scarcity of plants that naturally multiply 

 and take care of themselves for the replenishing of the 



