A COLLECTING DAY ABOVE AROLLA 93 



Some of them don't even bear commending, either. A 

 few years ago I got seed of an Androsace called mac- 

 rantha. I bought it because the name sounded so allur- 

 ing. A big-flowered Androsace, bless me, what a joy ! 

 Who would have suspected a trap? But up came the 

 seed, so thick that I at once smelled out a disappoint- 

 ment ; it is only weeds that germinate so eagerly. The 

 seedlings grew like Jonah's gourd, and then appeared the 

 spikes that were to bear the eponymous big flowers. 

 Well, that plant bore the smallest flowers I have ever 

 seen, and in the most enormous calyces. Beware, then, of 

 Androsace macrantha, all ye that have Greek ! And as 

 for that rarest of Italian new-comers, Androsace Mathildae, 

 I have not yet tried it, feeling a presentiment that it 

 belongs to the not too easily distinguishable cousinhood 

 of A. wulfeniana and A. ciliata. 



As for propagating ; the high Alpines may, with great 

 care, be raised from cuttings struck in moist silver sand, 

 duly shaded. All the sarmentosa group may be pulled 

 to pieces at pleasure, and every piece will grow ; — a little 

 more care, please, with villosa and arachnoidea. Most 

 of the others can be divided with ease, and lactea, 

 with the annuals, of course, comes profusely from seed. 

 Raising the rest from seed is hopeless unless the seed be 

 fresh, and, even so, is doubtful, slow work, though 

 ultimately, perhaps, a gain. 



