Caryophyllca—Gypsophila. 69 
other decorative purposes. It grows from 1 to 3 feet high and 
bears a great profusion of small white flowers. It is a very 
diffuse much-branched plant, succeeding best when treated as 
an annual, 
2. G. prostrata.—A trailing species with narrow lanceolate 
glaucous leaves and pink flowers. 
G. murdlis, Stevéeni, éegans, repens, and glaica, syn. acuti- 
folia, are similar species with white or pink flowers. The two 
first are of annual duration. 
4, SAPONARIA. 
Annual or perennial herbs, differing from the last genus in 
having the calyx constricted at the top and not membranaceous 
between the nerves, and from Siléne in having only two styles, 
and especially in the obscure nervation of the calyx. There 
are about thirty species, chiefly from southern Europe and 
extra-tropical Asia. The name is from the Latin sapo, soap, 
from the properties of S. officinalis. 
1. S. officinalis. Soapwort.—An erect glabrous rather 
stout perennial plant 2 to 3 feet high. Jeaves oblong-lanceo- 
late, about 3 inches long, 3-ribbed. Flower 1 inch across, pink 
or white, double or single, produced in terminal clustered 
cymes. This is found in some parts of England, but is not 
truly indigenous. There is a variety called hybrida having a 
monopetalous corolla. 
2. S. ocymoides.—A dwarf densely-branched procumbent 
perennial species with ovate-lanceolate leaves and rosy purple 
or pink flowers. A very desirable little plant, producing its 
flowers in abundance nearly all the Summer. A native of 
Europe. 
3. S. Caldbrica.—This is of annual duration and one of the 
handsomest of that class of plants. It does not exceed a foot 
in height and its rosy-pink flowers though small are so nume- 
rous as to be highly effective. There is also a white-flowered 
variety. South of Europe. 
5. SILENE. 
A large genus of annual and perennial herbs of variable 
habit. Flowers terminal, solitary, cymose, paniculate, or in 
one-sided spikes. Calyx more or less inflated, 5-toothed, 10- 
nerved. Petals 5; claws narruw; blade entire or divided, 
often with two scales at its base. Stamens 10. Styles 3. 
