Lutroduction. XXI 
For the rest, we have a few odd annuals from India, North- 
east America, and the tropieal regions of South America, and 
various parts of Europe and Northern Asia; for example, 
Amaranthus spp. from India, and Tropeolum spp. from South 
America. 
Biennials, as a class, are not very numerously represented in 
gardens, and the majority of them if sown early will fluwer the 
same season, though in a natural way the seed would germinate 
soon after it is shed in autumn. They occur in all regions 
where there is herbaceous vegetation. The principal species 
are enumerated with the annuals, at page 617. 
Perennial herbaceous plants, as we have stated above, are 
very abundant in almost all parts of the temperate regions of 
the northern hemisphere. Those termed Alpine plants, that is, 
growing in mountainous districts at a considerable altitude, 
are strongly represented in Europe. Indeed, by far the larger 
proportion in cultivation are natives of the Alps proper and the 
Pyrenees. Returning to the plains, North America stands perhaps 
in the foremost rank ; but as many of the species are of compara- 
tively recent introduction, they are not so rich in garden varie- 
ties as those belonging to the Old World. The following are 
some of the better known genera: Phlox Pentstemon, (ino- 
thera, Aster, Lilium, Lupinus, Aquilegia, Spireea, and Helian- 
thus; to which might be added many others belonging to the 
Malvaecex, Composite, Serophularinez, etc. Besides the Alpine 
species alluded to above, Europe furnishes us with a large 
number of our familiar perennials; and, if we include North 
Africa and Asia Minor, we have a considerable proportion of 
those in general cultivation: Anemone, Ranunculus, Wall- 
flower, Carnation, Pink, Peonia, Auricula, Hyacinth, Holly~ 
hock, Campanula, Chrysanthemum (Pyrethrum) roseum, Myo- 
sotis, Violet, Pansy, Tulip; Crocus, Narcissus, Antirrhinum, 
Saxifrage and Lilium, will serve to illustrate this region. 
Japan and China, taken together, offer many curious and in- 
teresting species. And from these countries we may mention 
that we have a large number of garden varieties, not only of 
herbaceous plants, but also of shrubs introduced by various 
travellers. The most important genus is Chrysanthemum. 
Spirea palmata, Dielytra spectabilis, Peonia Moutan, Primula 
