SILE'NE SCHAF'TA. 
SCHAFTA CATCHFLY. 
Class. Order. 
DECAXDRIA. M0N0GYNJA. 
Natural Order. 
caryophyllacea:. 
Native of 
Russia. 
Height. 
6 inches. 
Flowers in 
July, Aug. 
Duration. 
Perennial. 
Introduced 
in 1845. 
No. 1100. 
The viscid fluid found on some species of Silene 
has obtained for the genus its systematic name, 
from the G reek sialon, saliva. The specific appella- 
tion Schafta, adopted by S. G. Gmelin, a Russian 
botanist, is unexplained : its spelling requires cor- 
rection beneath the annexed engraving. 
This is one of the prettiest novelties that has 
lately been added to our hardy flower borders. It 
is a delightfully gay plant, for rockwork, spreading 
like the previously figured Saponaria ocymoides. 
Where entire beds of very low plants are adopt - 
ed, this would form one of the most desirable for 
their decoration — bright and continuous, flower 
touching flower; and standing as gold against 
lead, in comparison with the most brilliant of the 
tapestry ever wrought by the Gobelins. 
Mention is first made of it at Dorpat, in the west 
of Russia ; whence it was transmitted to the Impe- 
rial Gardens, at St. Petersburg ; and from this esta- 
blishment to the Horticultural Society of London. 
Thus it is, now a-days, that the riches of the earth 
are equally dispensed to all her children. It may 
be raised from seeds or cuttings. 
