30 AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF 



very desirable to cultivate, as they fill the air with a delightful 

 odour. 



' The diffused odour, as it pervades the entire atmosphere of a hothouse, 

 resembles that of Mignonette ; but the more powerful and concentrated 

 fragrance is of that of the sweet aromatic nature of that of some orchids.' 

 — Journal of Horticulture. 



Coltsfoot. 8ee Tussilago fragrans. 



Comptonia asplenifolia. — A deciduous bushy shrub of the Myrtle 

 family from North America, where it is known as the Sweet Fern 

 Bush. Its leaves are long and narrow with peculiar rounded lobes, 

 and they very much resemble those of the Ceterach Fern, hence its 

 name Sweet Fern Bush. When touched it gives off a rich spicy 

 fragrance. Attractive in leafage as well as fragrant, it is a shrub 

 worthy of more notice and attention, and looks well in a small 

 group near the margin of shrub plantations. 



Conocephalus Roxburghii. — An Eastern shrub, with small white 

 sweet-scented flowers. 



Conoclinium coelestinum. — A common plant in waste places through- 

 out the United States, with blue tubular flowers, possessing a 

 fragrant odour. 



Convallaria majalis {Lily of the Valley). — Who does not know this 

 pure emblem of innocence and modesty ? It is one of old England's 

 native gems, and the happy spring season of the year produces no 

 plant more elegant or exquisite in fragrance than these graceful 

 spikes of perfumed bells of lily whiteness. See Illustration. 



This elegantly modest plant formerly grew in our woods and valleys 

 in great abundance, but it has now become rare in its natural 

 state. Gerard tells us that in his time (1600) it grew plentifully on 

 Hampstead Heath, on Bushy Heath, and at Lee, in Kent ; it forms 

 a desirable plant along the shady banks of lakes and ornamental 

 streams, where the breath of its powerful fragrance, distributed 

 over a considerable area, is almost oppressing, although the odour 

 is said to be a certain antidote for the headache. Few flowers are 

 more striking in tall vases, and the tiny tubes, mounted singly or 

 in threes, give chaste variety in bouquets that puzzle many, and 

 gratify every one. There are several varieties, the double and 

 single white-flowered, the double and single red-flowered, the pink 

 flowered ; none of these, how^ever, carries the delightful scent so 

 strongly as the common kind ; all are entitled to a place in the 

 more secluded spots of our gardens, and amongst the shrubs of 

 woodland walks. The whole group prefer a light sandy soil. They 

 are increased by parting the roots in autumn, and should only be 

 disturbed every third year. If confined in pots they will sometimes 



