HISTORICAL NOTES ON DUTCH HYACINTHS. 



49 



Sect. Megas^a, Haw. 



The Saxifrages known under the name of Megasaea contain 

 some of the best and most showy of the genus. They are, with 

 few exceptions, quite hardy, and are invaluable as border or pot 

 plants, especially in the neighbourhood of London. They con- 

 stitute, in fact, the very best and most suitable of town plants, 

 in spite of neglect and rough treatment. Propagation by division 

 and seed. The following I can recommend as the best : — ■ 



S. cordifolia, Haw. — Leaves cordate, very thick and leathery ; 

 flowers rosy purple, large, and as in the following in dense cymes. 

 Hab. Siberia. 



S. ciliata, Wall. — Leaves cordate, ciliate ; flowers large pink. 

 This species requires a slight protection during the early spring. 

 Hab. Himalaya. There is a variety alba, with white flowers. 



S. purpurea (S. cordifolia purpurea). — A garden variety, with 

 leaves very large, thick, and leathery ; flowers large, deep purple. 

 The most vigorous, showy, and hardy of the Megasaeas. 



S. speciosa. — Leaves large, subcordate ; flowers large, bright 

 pink. A very pretty species. 



S. Stracheyi, HK. fil. et Thorns. — Leaves cordate, ciliate ; 

 flowers flesh-coloured. Eequires protection. Hab. Himalaya. 



S. Milcsii, Baker. — A plant of garden origin, with small, 

 white flowers. 



S. purpurascens, HK. fil. et Thorns. — A very rare and pretty 

 species ; unfortunately of very slow growth ; flowers bright 

 purple. Hab. Himalaya. 



HISTOKICAL NOTES ON DUTCH HYACINTHS. 



By Heer A. E. Baknaart, Haarlem. 



[Read March 26, 1889.] 



It is said by botanists that our present garden Hyacinths 

 are derived from Hyacinthus orientalis imported from the 

 Levant. Loudon states it is abundant about Aleppo and 

 Bagdad. Pickering announces it was seen by Gittard in the 

 Peloponnesus. Some consider it likely that Hyacinths were 

 brought to Constantinople, where the taste for flowers excelled, 

 about the middle of the fifteenth century, from whence they 



