XX L[utroduction. 
species would prove hardy in the south-western parts of the 
kingdom. The temperate parts of South America are also 
barely represented in our borders. Geum Chiloense, Loasa 
aurantiaca, Fuchsia macrostema, and the less known, some- 
what tender Gunnera scabra, are the nearest approach to hardy 
subjects from that part of the world. South Africa, although 
nearly 20° farther north, contributes many more species than 
South America. They are chiefly bulbous plants, or belonging 
to the Liliaces: and Iridex, to which we shall allude again 
below. Classifying herbaceous plants according to duration and 
hardiness, we shall see whence we obtain the greater part of 
the more familiar specics. 
Annuals, hardy and half-hardy, find their maximum in 
California and Mexico, where they are exceedingly numerous 
and diversified. A reference to the following orders will be 
sufficient to give an idea of the richness of this region in plants 
of annual duration. Papaveraces, Ciuciferae, Onagraries, Com- 
posite, Polemoniacex, Hydrophyllacecc, and Scrophularinee. 
The region ranking next in order of richness is the Mediter- 
ranean—South of Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor. As 
examples we may mention: Candytuft, Virginian Stock, 
Mignonette, Convolyulus tricolor, Larkspur, Sweet Pea, Com- 
mon Marigold, Ten-Week and other Stocks, and Lavatera 
trimestris. In addition there are numerous species belonging 
to the Caryophyllex, Cruciferee, Composite, and other orders. 
Australasia furnishes a few half-bardy, the most noteworthy 
of which are those bearing ‘everlasting flowers, belonging to 
the genera Helichrysum, Helipterum, Waitzia (Morna), and 
Rhodanthe, all members of the Composite. Chili also con- 
tributes a few half-hardy species, as Portulaca, Calandrinia, 
Saipiglossis, Schizopetalon (hardy), and Sehizanthus. From 
South Africa the number is still more limited, and none of the 
species are in general cultivation. Alesembryanthemum tri- 
color, Kaulfussia amelloides, Heliophila spp., Grammanthes 
gentianoides, and Venidium calendulaceum are natives of that 
region. Japan and China, both so rich in ornamental ever- 
green trees and shrubs, and perennial herbs, add scarcely any 
remarkable species to our list of annuals. Callistephus hor- 
tensis, the China Aster, is, however, an important exception. 
