118 FAMILIAR FLOWERS OF FIELD AND GARDEN. 



Ivy-leaved P. {P. peltatum). — This variety has an 

 ivy-sliaped, smooth, five-lobed leaf, sometimes with a 

 dark zone, and is easily recognized. The flowers are 

 generally of crimson or cherry tones of color, with a 

 variety of pink tints and also a pure white. I know 

 of only one or two scarlet varieties, and these are of 

 recent introduction. 



Horseshoe P. (P. zonale) and Stained or Scar- 

 let P. (P. inquinans) are two varieties which have 

 become inextricably mixed ; the 

 former has a dark horseshoe 

 mark or zone on the leaf, 

 which, however, is sometimes 

 wanting, and the latter has a 

 lighter green leaf without the 

 zone. Both varieties have 

 round scalloped leaves, which 

 have a " fishy smell." To these 

 two classes belong the infinite 

 variety of bright-colored and 

 delicately tinted flowering geraniums which are so 

 common as bedding plants. A notable white variety 

 with double flowers is called La Favorite ; a lovely 

 salmon-pink one is the Beaute Poitevine. Nearly 

 all these geraniums have received the close atten- 

 tion of French horticulturists, and in the continuous 

 process of cross-fertilization we have quite lost sight 



Leaf of P. zonal. 



