PANCRATIUM OR HYMENOCALLIS. 



419 



growers, who, in turn, are just beginning to admire 

 them for their great beauty. 



Pancratiums and hymenocallis are two genera so 

 nearly allied that for garden purposes they are 

 synonymous. They are mostly natives of regions 

 bordering on the tropics, and such kinds require 

 greenhouse cultivation ; but there are several kinds 

 that flourish in the open ground wherever it does 

 not freeze much below the surface. In some of the 

 old gardens in our southern states delightful clumps 

 of them flourish to perfection. We are told that 

 the plant is abundant in the gar- 

 dens of the " Hermitage," Gen. 

 Andrew Jackson's residence, and 

 is there known as the "August 

 Lily," from its time of blooming. 

 The species is probably Pancratiuiii 

 rotatum {Hyuienocallis rotata), which 

 is described as flourishing in the 

 open air from Texas to Tennessee, 

 and in all the southern sea-board 

 and Gulf states. Never have we 

 seen a more beautiful sight than 

 • once when we came suddenly to a 

 small, wet prairie in Florida that 

 was dotted with these "Fairy 

 Lilies"* as thick as the field in our 

 national flag is starred with the rep- 

 resentatives of the states. 



It has a greater number of names 

 than any other plant we can recall. 

 Besides those already gi\en, it is 

 known, in common with other pan- 

 cratiums, throughout the south as "Spider Lily," 

 and its trembling flowers, stirred by a gentle motion, 

 are suggestive of an uncanny insect : but its deli- 

 cate texture and pure- white flowers make "Spirit 

 Lily " a more pleasing name to many. Some 

 people call it "Tape Lily" from the tape-like ex- 

 tensions of the corolla. It is found along the 

 lines of railroads, probably from its being able to 

 increase in the disturbed soil, and so has become 

 known as the "Railroad Lily." Who but a 

 "cracker" could have dubbed it "Crow Pii;en " ? 

 Still, we never knew of its being harmful to any of 

 the feathered tribes. 



For some time after opening, the ray-like forma- 

 tions of this species attached to the cup of the co- 

 rolla extend perfectly straight. 



Pancratium rotatiiin generally opens in the evening. 

 The divisions of the perianth open first along the 

 middle portion, gradually parting towards the tip, 



* The name " Fairy Lily " is also given to the Zephs ranthes. 



and at last, as soon as detached, instantly snap away 

 from each other, outwardly, like so many springs. 

 One must watch closely to see them open, the motion 

 is so rapid. They are apparently easily grown. The 

 height of this species is from one to two feet, 

 and, like most of the pancratiums, its pure white 

 flowers yield a delicate and refreshing perfume, 

 said to be especially pleasing to invalids. 



Pancratiums are among the plants that flourish 

 by being left alone when once established. In the 

 open air, most kinds will form large clumps and 



I'ANt. K A I W W AMO- M .M. 



bloom abundantly. The less repotting they get, 

 the better they thrive until they become so crowded 

 that they must be removed into larger pots. Then 

 carefully cut away the dead roots. They like a 

 light situation and sandy soil. 



For pot plants, loam and peat or decayed leaf 

 soil, with plenty of sand, are good. They enjoy 

 moisture, and, even when resting, should not be 

 allowed to become dry ; drainage, however, should 

 be secured. 



P. Illyriciiin is hardy in many parts of England, 

 and doubtless can be established in many places in 

 our own land. P. iiiaritiininn, which comes from 

 the countries around the Mediterranean Sea, is 

 already at home here, and is commonly known as 

 " Sea Daffodil." Our picture of Pancrafiuiii aiiia- 

 nimi was made from one which at one time bore 20 

 spikes of bloom, aggregating 212 flowers. Of these, 

 130 had been picked off when the photograph was 

 taken. . D. W. 



