100 NEMOPHILA ATOMARIA. 
In the nursery of Mr. Young, Epsom, this plant was kept in a pot, and placed 
on the shelf of a greenhouse, near the glass, in which situation it flowered very 
abundantly, and formed a pleasing and interesting contrast with plants of shrubby 
habits ; but we feel confident that it will prove as hardy as N.jnsignisy and it 
would undoubtedly attain to a much greater degree of perfection if planted out in 
the open air, in the bed or border of the flower garden, about the month of May, 
or perhaps June. Still, a few plants kept in pots in the greenhouse would have a 
most imposing effect, and, by judicious management with regard to the times of 
sowing, it may be brought into flower in this situation in almost constant succes- 
sion, with the exception of two or three months in the depth of the winter. 
This species requires no peculiar care or attention with regard to cultivation, as 
it will thrive well in any light loamy soil, with the treatment usually given to half- 
hardy annuals ; but, like N. insignis^ it will doubtless ripen seeds better in those 
plants which are kept in the greenhouse. Dr. Lindley states {^Bot. Reg. 1940) 
that it is probably a native of New California, and that seeds of it were transmitted 
to this country from the Imperial Garden at Petersburgh. 
Our liberal contributor, Mr. Young, of the Epsom nursery, furnished the subject 
for the present drawing in December 1837? and of that gentleman we believe plants 
or seeds may be procured, as well as of most other nurserymen and seedsmen. 
The generic name is explained vol. iii. p. 152. 
The specific name applies to the little blue-coloured spots with which the 
corolla of the flower is so liberally marked. 
