Part II. RANUNCULUS— RHEXIA. 307 



stout stock, and the whole plant of a leathery, firm texture. It 

 is as yet comparatively rare in our gardens, though abundant in 

 many parts of the Pyrenees and Alps. No plant is more worthy 

 of culture in the rock-garden, in deep, sandy, Well-drained loam. 

 There is a variety with narrow leaves, probably not at present in 

 cultivation. 



RANUNCULUS RUTJEFOLIUS.— -ffK«-/«aw^ Crowfoot. 



An interesting species, with much and deeply divided leaves 

 (the radical ones twice divided), reminding one somewhat of 

 those of a very dwarf Aquilegia more than of a Crowfoot, and 

 pretty white flowers, with orange centres, about an inch across. 

 The stems vary from three to six inches high, bearing from one 

 to three flowers, usually but one ; the flowers are sometimes rose- 

 tinted on the outside. Not difficult to cultivate in the same soil 

 and position as are recommended for the Alp Crowfoot, and 

 deserving a place in every collection. A native of elevated parts 

 of the great continental ranges, increased by seed or division. 

 It is sometimes made a separate genus of, under the name 

 Callianthemum rutcefolium. 



The preceding kinds I believe to be the most worthy of culture 

 of all obtainable dwarf Ranunculi ; there are, however, others 

 worthy of a place in large collections, and of these, R. pyrenaUs, 

 graniineus, Thora, Gouani, spicatus, and uniflorus, are among 

 the best. The double varieties of our common R. acris, R. bul- 

 bosus, and also a fine large double kind known as R. bullatus 

 fl. pi., are very ornamental ; and though they may, with the ex- 

 ception of the last, not be fit for the choice rock-garden, they 

 should be planted freely in borders, rocky, or semi-wild places, 

 as the golden button-like flowers last a long time in bloom. 



RHEXIA "VTRaiNICA.— Af^a(/oze/ Beauty. 



A RARE American plant of the Melastoma order, but perfectly 

 hardy, forming neat little bushes, from six to twelve inches 

 high ; the stems square, with wing-like angles^ ; the leaves oval- 

 lance-shaped, on very short stalks, and with bristly teeth ; the 

 flowers a beautiful rosy purple, appearing in summer and early 

 autumn. A native of North America, from a considerable dis- 



