AMARYLLIS FAMILY 



COMMON SNOWDROP 



Galdnthus nivhlis. 



Greek, gala, milk; anlhos, flower: the milk-white' flower. 



Galanihus is a genus of hardy bulbous plants, known as Snowdrops, 

 of which nivalis is the type. 



Bulb, — Small, coated. 



Leaves. — Two to three from each bulb; six to nine inches high, 

 bright-green, narrow, channelled. 



Flowers. — Solitary, white, nodding; borne on a scape and rising from 

 a spathe. 



Perianth. — Of six segments; three outer and spreading; three inner 

 smaller, marked with green, notched, apparently forming a tube. 



These plants doe grow wild in Italie and the places adjacent; notwith- 

 standing our London gardeners have taken possession of them mania years 

 past. — Geraed. 



The Snowdrop is our only out-of-door flower that will bloom 

 in midwinter. The wise and the efficient may count on the Christ- 

 mas Rose, Helliborus nlger, in December; but one may possess 

 the Snowdrop's nodding flower in Jaiiuary, without being either 

 very wise or extremely efficient. The eagerness of the little crea- 

 ture to bloom is both pathetic and enchanting. Any weather which 

 will permit the chickweed to open its petals will also lure forth 

 the white bells of the Snowdrop. In igo6 the Snowdrop was in 

 blossom in the gardens of Cleveland on January 21; the same 

 was true in 1909. A few days, such as frequently occur in mid- 

 winter, warm enough to thaw the. surface of the ground sufficiently 

 so that the green leaves can push through, are all that is necessary. 

 The little flower, so white, delicate, and spiritual that it seems 

 to be snow organized into flower form, comes at once to the sur- 

 face. We have no other that responds so quickly to the summons 

 of the sun. Six inches of snow may next day cover these blos- 

 soms — that is only an incident in their career; their lover will 

 dig them out, place them in water, give them a cool temperature 

 that they may get their bearings, and after a night of coolness and 



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