A GARDEN OF WALL-FLOWERS 35 



bank. The acorns have thrown off their outer shells, 

 and the inner skin, of a pale greenish-yellow colour 

 when first uncased, has turned, first to pale pink and 

 then to a strong crimson. The first root has been 

 thrown out and has found its way firmly into the 

 ground, though the acorn still lies upon the surface. 



The Periwinkles are the common Vinca major and 

 its variegated variety ; Vinca minor, the kind most fre- 

 quent in gardens, blue, white, and often parti- coloured ; 

 the half-double one with dull red-purple flowers ; the 

 double blue, and a wild white one from North Italy, 

 with an abundance of small flowers, and a close, tufty 

 habit of growth that give it a distinct appearance, 

 and make it a very desirable garden plant. The 

 double blue is with me much more shy in growth 

 than the others ; I suspect it would be happier on a 

 stronger soil. I have heard rumours of a double white, 

 which ought to be a pretty plant, and have even had 

 it promised, but it has never reached my garden. One 

 of this family that I much admire and grow in rather 

 large quantity is Vinca acutiflora fi'om Southern Europe. 

 Unlike its more northern relatives it hkes a sunny 

 bank, so I have it on the south side of the mound 

 near the clumps of Acanthus, where in late autunm it 

 displays to the best advantage its handsome polished 

 foliage and largish blooms of tenderest, palest blue. 



Between and among the lesser Periwinkles on the 

 northern bank are spaces where neighbouring Wall- 

 flowers have shed their seed, and seedlings have sprung 



c 



