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NEMOPHILA INSIGNIS. 
(showy NEMOPHILA.) 
CLASS. ORDER. 
PENTANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
NATURAL ORDER. 
HYDROPHYLLE^. 
Generic Character. — Calyx hairy, persistent, ten cleft, five of which are ovate, nearly erect, the 
remainder smaller, lanceolate, alternate, and reflexed. Corolla funnel-shaped, of five equal 
emarginate lobes. Ovary one-celled, many seeded. 
Specific Character Plant an annual. Stem growing a foot or more in height, hairy, of a straggling 
branching habit. Leaves alternate, upper ones opposite, stalked, hairy, each divided into an 
unequal number of lobes, occasionally one, but frequently two-toothed. Flower-stalk long, hairy, 
one-flowered, arising from the axilla of the leaves. Calyx hairy, consisting of ten clefts, the 
smaller of which are reflexed, alternating with the rest, which are of an ovate form and partly erect. 
Corolla campanulate, divided into five obtuse lobes, of a deep blue within, the intensity of which 
diminishes towards the base, where it is nearly white, externally ; it is much paler. Stamens shorter 
than the limb. Anthers of a broM'nish purple. Germen broadly ovate, hairy. Style as long as 
the stamens. Stigmas small, capitate. 
A TRULY beautiful and desirable little annual, a native of California, which 
found its way into our collections through the unparalleled labours of the lamented 
Douglas over that part of the world. 
Comparing it with N. phacelioides, we find it in all respects superior, the 
flowers being somewhat larger, and the colour of a more intense and brighter blue. 
In our collections of half-hardy annuals, it is a surpassingly beautiful feature ; and 
if sown as early as the season will permit in the spring on a warm south border, 
observing to transplant when the weather is fine and the plants pretty strong, 
a brilliant display of its rich blue blossoms will be produced, which will con- 
tinue beautiful a great part of the season. " If it be desired, a second lot of 
flowering plants may be obtained by sowing six weeks or two months later ; but 
when sown at this season, we find it necessary to allow the plants to flower where 
sown Good flowering plants may be grown singly in pots in the greenhouse, 
where, when in bloom, they have a most elegant appearance; plants thus grown, 
are much more likely to mature seed than when sown in the open border, especially 
if the season be wbat is termed a wet one. 
A small bed filled with this plant, another with Verbena melindres, and a 
