OF ORNAMENTAL PERENNIALS. 101 
GENUS II. 
SILENE, Lin. THE CATCHFLY. 
Lin. St/St. DECANDRIA TRIGYNIA. 
Generic Characteb. — Calyx tubular, 5-toothed, naked. Petals | bifid scales. Stamens 10. Styles 3. Capsules 3-celIed at the base, 
5, bifida unguiculate, usually crowned in the throat with as toany I ending in six teeth at the apex. (G. Don.) 
Description, &c. — The plants belonging to this genus have generally on their stems a kind of viscid frothy 
moisture, which is said to entrap flies. The name of Silene is from a Greek word alluding to the same moisture. 
The species are very numerous, and generally very much alike ; they are nearly all hardy, and none of them are 
shrubs ; many of them are English weeds, but the greater part are ornamental, and worth cultivating in a garden. 
Many of the species are annual. The colours of the flowers are white, red, or purple. 
PLANTS TUFTED; ALMOST STEMLESS. SCAPES 1-FLOWERED. 
Emobavings. — Eng. Bot. t. 1081 ; 2d ed. t. 629; and Bot. Mag. 
t. 1881. 
Specific Character. — Glabrous. Stems deuEC, humble. Leaves 
1.— SILENE AOAULIS, Lin. THE STEMLESS CATCHFLY, OR MOSS CAMPION, 
linear-lanceolate. Flowers dioecious from abortion ; peduncles soli- 
tar}% short, 1 -flowered. Calyx campauulate. Petals obovate or 
obcordate. (G. Don.) 
Description, &c. — This very pretty little plant, which does not grow above six inches high, has pink flowers, 
and is admirably adapted for rockwork. There are several varieties, one of which has double flowers, and 
another is white. It flowers in June and July. This species is very common on the Scotch and Welsh 
mountains, and it is, indeed, found wherever there is mountain scenery in all the temperate regions of the 
northern hemisphere. "When cultivated, it requires a dry, airy situation, and a very light sandy soil. 
PLANTS CAULESCENT. FLOWERS SOLITARY, OR PANICLED. CALYX INFLATED, BLADDERY. 
2.— SILENE FIMBRIATA, 5im*. THE FRINGED CATCHFLY. 
Synowymes. — Cucubalus firabriatus, i?i>6. ;C.multifidu8, ,^rfonw; undulated, on long footstalks. Flowers in large spreading panicles. 
Calyx greatly inflated with broad teeth. Petals fringed, incurved, ap- 
pendages bifld. 
Lychnis Behen alba, Buxb. 
Engravings. — Bot Mag. t. 908 ; and owt Jig. 8 in Plate 25. 
Specific Character. — Pubescent. Leaves large, ovate-lanceolate, 
Description, &c. — This very curious species is quite hardy, and very showy when in flower. The petals 
have the limb cut into very fine lobes, so as to appear fringed. The species is a native of Mount Caucasus, and 
it was introduced in 1803. The plant grows about two feet high, and it flowers in July. 
3.— SILENE INFLATA, Smith. THE BLADDER CAMPION. 
SvNOHYME. — Cucubalus Behen, Lin. 
Enghaving. — Eng. Bot. 1. 164 ; 2d ed. t, 620. 
Specific Character. — Flowers numerous, drooping, panicled. 
Petals deeply cloven with narrow segments ; the coronal scales mostly 
wanting. Calyx smooth, inflated, reticulated. Leaves ovate-lanceolate. 
Varieties. — These are vepy numerous, but the most remarkable 
Description, &c, — This beautiful British plant is common not only in corn-fields and pastures, but by the 
road sides in every part of Britain, especially on chalky and calcareous soils. In gardens it is much improved 
are the kind with double flowers, which is a most ornamental garden 
plant, and the Sea Campion, sometimes considered to be a separate 
species, and called S. maritima. The flowers of the Sea Campion are 
larger, and the petals are broader, and of a more brilliant whiteness 
than in the species. It is generally found on the sea-coast. 
