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128 PLANTS GROWING IN MOIST SOIL, 
FRINGED GENTIAN. (Plate LX/V.) 
Gentiana crinita. 
FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 
Gentian: Brilliant blue, or Scentless. Mostly north and September, October. 
white. west. 
Flowers : terminal; solitary. Calyx : of four unequal, pointed sepals. Co 
rellt: funnel-form; two inches broad; with four rounded lobes exquisitely 
fringed atthe edges. Stamens: four; with glands at the bases of the filaments. 
Pistil : one, with two stigmas. Leaves ; opposite ; lanceolate ; clasping ; sharply 
pointed. Stem; one to two feet high. 
Something preliminary is almost necessary before venturing 
to speak of the fringed gentian ; and even then it should be 
done with bated breath, for is it not the flower that has inspired 
poets and statesmen to such an extent that they have barely 
been able to write soberly about it? And truly it is a heavenly 
flower. But to those that are a bit worldly and have not the 
poetical soul it must always suggest that it has been gowned 
by nature’s Worth; it is so chaussée a ravir. The beautiful 
fringe is but the latest conceit of fashion ; and the soft green of 
its calyx, blending with its incomparable blue, is an example of 
the most ravishing taste. If we could indulge in such levity, 
we would almost look up its sleeves for hors de combat. That it 
enjoys its good clothes we may be sure. It is a gay, delightful 
creature and sheds about its blandishments in the most open- 
hearted manner. It is fond of wandering, too, and though we 
mark the spot where it grows we may seek in vain for it in the 
same place the next year. This characteristic, however, it 
owes to being a biennial. At night the fair flower closes. 
CLOSED GENTIAN. (Plate LXV) 
Gentidna Andréwsit. 
FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 
Gentian, Deep blue. Scentless. Mostly north, Autumn. 
Flowers : terminal and clustered in the axils of the leaves. Calyx: of four or 
five-cloft sepals. Coro//a: about an inch in length ; closed at the top. Stamens: 
four or five. Psti/ : one, with two stigmas. eaves: opposite ; lanceolate and 
enveloping the terminal flowers. Sem : one to two feet high; smooth; erect. 
The closed gentian always appears as though it had the sulks. 

