DOTISLE m'TTEJlOUr. 103 



Tlie most generally useful of the garden crowfoots is 

 the dmilile variety of ]iii iiniiciil iik ticmiHi/'dlinx, ])f)pularly 

 known as Fair Maids of France, a name betraying tlie 

 origin of the plant. Tlie slender-stemmed crowfoot {li. 

 aiiijjle.riruKHa) , is an exquisite beauty, with grey foliage 

 and pure white llowers. A group of Alpine species claims 

 the special attention of the cultivator of choice rock-plants. 

 They are all most lovely. A. anemonoides is very dwarfed 

 in growth, with finely-divided leaves and pur})le-tinged 

 white flowers. H. alpcHtrls agrees generally with tlie latter, 

 but is distinct enough for garden purposes. 7?. i/Iarialis;, 

 the glacier crowfoot, is the most dwarfed of all, forming a 

 little tuft, crowned with purple-tinted white flowers. The 

 cyclamen-leaved crowfoot [R. /xi niaxnifdHiix) is very dis- 

 tinct in leafage, with showy yellow llowers. The rue- 

 leaved crowfoot (7?. niUefuliitfi) has white flowers with 

 j'ellow centres, the leafage being distinct. Finally, to com- 

 plete this list, B. xpeciosiis is a showy rock-plant, with 

 flowers of the brightest yellow. 



It will be time to look for others when the amateur has 

 obtained and mastered the foregoing. But we may also 

 add the names of a few that are well worth attention for 

 their beaut\-, though not specially desirable for beginners, 

 R. hnUuliiH, R. Lj/i(Ul, and R. corliincefolinx are not hardy 

 enoutyh for commonplace treatment, but they are iine 

 frame and cool house plants, needing a little protection 

 ao-ainst extreme cold and damp. U. pi/reiueiis^ li. i/raiin- 

 iieiis, B. fJiora, R. iniijlonts, and R. xjiicafiis may be added 

 to the list. 



The crowfoots agree pretty nearly in their cultural re- 

 (luirements. They love moisture, and the Ali)iiie species 

 are quite sensitive in tins respect, foi' drought soon kills 



