52 



THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



and naturalized themselves for so many years that the bulbs 

 were crowded together in layers. This crowding of starved 

 and neglected bulbs is the only thing I ever knew to make 

 A^. biflorus barren of blooms. 



The plant is one of the hardiest and most prolific of all the 

 narcissi, multiplying and blooming with unfailing regularity 

 for years and years with almost no culture. AMien the roses, 

 pinks and poppies make the June garden brilliant, this pure 

 white narcissus adds the charm of sweet simplicity. 



Why such an old and deservedly popular flower should 

 not be known beyond local limits excited my interest and I went 

 to the Howard Library in New Orleans to ''read up" the 

 botanies and find out its history. In old English botanies I 

 found my flower, under the name I have here given. Xorcissus 

 biflorus or Primrose Peerless, is the way it is specified. The 

 descriptions are all the same. "Hardy, healthy, free flowering, 

 twin-flowered, blooming in June, with balsamic odor," as g'ood 

 for identiflcation as a thumb print in a criminal case. Why the 

 English called it Primrose Peerless, I am unable to say. 



Mobile, Ala. 



