lyme grass; and Mrs. Pendleton unique in size and beauty, also happy 
in combination with the lyme grass (elymus arenarius) just mentioned. 
The August number of that capital little monthly journal — "The 
Modern Gladiolus Grower" — was devoted entirely to Mrs. Pendleton, 
and whoever she may be, the lady has reason for rejoicing in so glorious 
a namesake. 
According to Mrs. King, the varieties cataloged as blue that have 
not come true to name are: 
Saphir: Bright blue, shaded purple; extra strong spike. 
Colibri: Slate blue, tigered violet. 
Etoile Polaire: Fine blue; two lower petals almost black. 
Rosa Bonheur: Pure blue, stained yellow. 
Satellite: Violet blue, two lower petals light blue. 
Baron Hulot: Deep indigo blue, slightly marked white at the base of 
the throat. 
Heliotrope: Royal blue; flowers somewhat roundish. 
Zbc Dablia 
MRS. WM. REDWOOD WRIGHT, Garden Club of Philadelphia 
The Dahlia (Dahlia variabilis) is first mentioned in a "History 
of Mexico," by Hernandez (1651); it was next noticed by Menon- 
ville, who was employed by the French Minister to steal the cochineal 
insect from the Spaniards in 1 790. The Abbe Cavanilles first de- 
scribed the flower scientifically from a previous year, and he named the 
plant after his friend, Andrew Dahl, the Swedish botanist. The Dahlia 
was introduced into England in 1 789 by Lady Bute from Madrid, 
but this single plant speedily perished. Cavanilles sent specimens of 
the three varities then known to the Jardin des Plantes in 1802, and 
the flower was very successfully cultivated in France, so that in 1814, 
on the return of peace, the improved varieties of the Dahlia created 
quite a sensation among English visitors to Paris. Meanwhile, Lady 
Holland had in July, 1804, sent Dahlia seeds to England from Madrid, 
and ten years after we find her husband thus writing to her: 
"The Dahlia you brought to our isle 
Your praises for ever shall speak; 
Mid gardens as sweet as your smile, 
And in color as bright as your cheek." 
It is singular that this favorite flower should have been twice intro- 
duced to England through the ladies of two of her most noted states- 
men, and that the first introduction should mark the year when France 
became revolutionized, and the second that which saw Napoleon made 
Emperor of the French nation; it is from these incidents that the Dahlia 
in floral language has been selected as the symbol of "instability." In 
Germany and Russia, the flower is called Georgina, after a St. Peters- 
burg professor. 
