FLOWERS. 



123 



tigrinum) grows to the height of from four to six feet, and 

 produces many spotted flowers of a bold appearance. The 

 Martagon is much like the latter, except the plant and 

 flowers are more delicate. All these are bulbous-rooted, 

 and are best propagated from offsets. The asphodel (Li/i- 

 um luteum) grov/s to the height of two feet, and produces 

 beautiful yellow flowers. It is propagated by seed or off- 

 sets. All the above-named lilies are well calculated to 

 beautify a border. The lily of the valley {Convallaria 

 majalis) is a small dwarf plant, that thrives best in the 

 shade, where it produces little delicate flov/ers of exquisite 

 fragrance. Propagated by offsets. 



Lime-plant. — This plant [Podophyllum peltatiim) is a sin- 

 gular production of nature. The stem, foliage, flower, and 

 fruit, are formed in the earth ; and, after the plant has come 

 up, there is nothing more than the extension of parts. The 

 stems, at the height of from eight to twelve inches, branch 

 out in two arms ; at the extremity of each is a large palmat- 

 ed leaf. In the fork proceeds the fruit stem. The first that 

 is seen in the spring is a delicate membraneous cap, which 

 is soon burst open by the flovv^er-bud, which is large, white, 

 and round. The shoulders and arms, lying close to the 

 stem or trunk, soon appear, and, as the plant rises, the fruit 

 stem elongates, and the arms elevate themselves. The 

 fruit is about the size of a large lime, green while growing, 

 and yellow when ripe ; has the flavour of a pine-apple ; 

 and, as to eating, is but little inferior to that fruit. The 

 plant requires a moist soil in a shady situation — may be 

 propagated by seed, but best by dividing the roots, which 

 are creeping and jointed. The root is medicinal. 



Lychnadia — Phlox — is a perennial — several varieties ; as 

 purple, white, striped, &c. The plant is hardy, and pro- 

 duces many delicate flowers, and is long in bloom. It is 

 best propagated by dividing the roots. 



Mezereon — Daphne mezereim — is a small, beautiful 

 shrub, blooming in the month of March, loaded with flow- 

 ers of delightful fragrance. It is hardy as a shrub oak, and 

 is propagated from the seed. It produces a red fruit, which 

 is poisonous. 



Mountain ash — Sorbus aucuparia — is a very ornamental 

 tree, admired for the beauty of its foliage, and its clusters 

 of scarlet fruit, which remain on it for months. It is prop- 

 agated from the seed. 



Musk geranium — Geranium moschatum — is an annual 

 plant, and is admired only for its strong flavour of musk. 



