Part II. EPIGMA—ERANTHJS. 207 



arrangements, and is valuable also for the rockwork. Easily 

 increased by offsets, which root readily. 



The large-leaved Echeveria metallica, almost like a " foliage- 

 plant " from the aspect of its great rosettes of metalUc-looking 

 leaves, is most valuable for producing a striking effect among 

 dwarf bedding and edging plants. It should always be placed 

 singly, forming centres to masses or rings of its dwarf relative 

 E. secunda, or Sedums, Sempervivums, and Saxifrages. In- 

 creased by seeds or by the leaves ; both those of the flower-stem 

 and of the rosette soon strike root in a temperate house. It re- 

 ■ quires a warm greenhouse in winter, and is only mentioned 

 among " alpine flowers " in consequence of being occasionally 

 associated with them in flower-gardens. 



EPIGr^A EEPENS. — Ground Laurel. 



A PROSTRATE, trailing evergreen found in sandy or rocky soil 

 especially in the shade of pines, common in many parts of 

 North America, and remarkable for its delicate rose-coloured 

 flowers in small clusters, exhaling a rich aromatic odour, and 

 appearing in early spring. The leaves are rounded-heart-shaped, 

 covered with russety hairs. It is a plant very seldom met with 

 in good health in this country, though occasionally seen flourish- 

 ing in heath soil. In planting it, it would be well to bear in mind 

 that its natural habitat is under trees, and plant a few specimens 

 in the shade of pines or shrubs. J have seen it thrive planted 

 out in a shady cold frame in leaf-mould and peat. In New 

 England it is known as the Mayflower. 



ERANTHIS HYEMALIS.— W/«/^r Aconite. 



A SMALL plant, with yellow flowers, surrounded by a whorl of 

 shining-green divided leaves, with a short, blackish, underground 

 stem resembling a tuber ; the flowers, an inch or more across, 

 being thrown up on stems from three to eight inches high. It is 

 naturalised in woods and copses in various parts of the country, 

 but has probably escaped from cultivation, and is not considered 

 a native, its true home being shady and humid places on southern 

 continental mountains. It is pretty well known, being frequently 

 sold by our bulb merchants, and is too common a plant for the 



