HERBACEOUS ELOWEES. 



95 



California, has sad-looking brown flowers. These should 

 be sown in pots, and planted out when they are becom- 

 ing vigorous. In their earliest youth they are apt to be 

 devoured by slugs. They are also increased by division 

 at the root. The annual Lupines are better sown in 

 their destined place. L. Termis, with white flowers, is 

 used in the South of Europe and the ^orth of Africa as 

 forage for cattle, besides being ploughed in green, for 

 manure. The most pleasing species are L. rautabilis and 

 GruikshanJcii, tall evergreen shrubs in their native 

 habitat, though annual here; L. varius, lutens, alius, 

 nanus, succulentus, and bicolor. The greenhouse Lupines 

 prefer light rich soil ; the others do well in any good 

 garden-ground or sound rich loam. 



Lychnis. — The Double Eagged-Eobbin, L. Floscucidi 

 (Cuckoo-flower), is of graceful habit, with delicate pink 

 flowers, grows in any moist loam, and increases freely at 

 the root. L. Chalcedonica, when single, offers the form 

 of a Maltese Cross, in white, pink, scarlet, and saffron- 

 yellow. The double scarlet variety is a brilliant flower, 

 thriving best in light rich loam. There are double gar- 

 den varieties of L. viscaria, dioica, and sylvestris. L. AU 

 pina makes a pretty decoration to the rock-work, with 

 the help of a few handfuls of fresh heath-mould. — See 

 Campion, 



Marsh Marigold — Caltha palustris. — An exceedingly 

 showy native plant, whose golden petals look as if they 

 were enamelled with lacquer. There is a double-blos- 

 somed variety which well merits cultivation, but must be 

 located in a wet spot. Such gardens as have a marshy 

 corner will find no kck of beautiful plants to occupy ir. 

 The flower-buds of the Marsh Marigold make a very bad 

 imitation of French capers, and are of questionable 

 wholesomeness. 



Mesemorianthenium — JS'oon Flower. — An immense 

 genus of succulents, mostly shrubby. The Ice-Plant is 

 an annual. See our " Kitchen Garden. 5 ' The flowers, of 

 considerable beauty, white, yellow, orange, pink, and 

 purple, require bright sunshine to make them expand* 



