124 EPIMEDIUM VIOLACEUM. 
leaves have withered till they recommence growing, when it must have a more 
liberal supply ; or, if it be planted in the open ground, it will be advisable to cover 
the roots during winter with some dry litter, taking care to remove it by degrees as 
soon as the leaves appear, which they will do early in the spring. 
By dividing the roots, an increase may be obtained, but it is more than pro- 
bable that it will ripen its seeds abundantly, which may be sown as soon as they 
are sufficiently matured, in pans or flats, and kept in a gentle heat till they have 
vegetated, when they may be transplanted into pots or into the open ground. 
This is one of the many beautiful plants for which this country is indebted to 
the exertions of Dr. Yan Siebold in Japan, from whence it was brought to the 
European continent, and from thence the specimen from which our drawing was 
obtained was received by Messrs. Low and Co., of the Clapton nursery, in the early 
part of the present year. We believe its usual time of flowering to be the months 
of April and May. 
The derivation of the generic name is unknown, it having been applied to the 
genus by Linnwus, some suppose because it was found growing in Media. 
The specific name refers to the colour of the flowers, which, in the individual 
figured, would be of much darker violet, had the plant been grown in the open 
ground. 
