102 THE LADIES' FLOWER-GARDEN 
by cultivation, and the double-flowered variety is particularly handsome. It is also valuable for keeping in 
flower from June to September. The young shoots and leaves are eatable, and when boiled, they resemble 
green peas in flavour. The species will grow in any soil or situation, but it grows best in chalky soils, and 
where it has abundance of light and air. 
PLANTS CAULESCENT. FLOWERS DISPOSED IN VERTICILLATE PANICLES OR RACEMES. 
4 SILENE OTITES, Pers. THE SPANISH CATCHFLY. 
Synonyhes. — Cucubalus Otitcs, Lin. ; Lychnis Otites, Scop. 
Enqbavino. — Eng. Bot. t. 85 ; 2d ed. t. 624. 
Specific Character, — Flowers di(£cious. Petals linear, entire. 
Leaves spatulate, roughieh. Stem erect, few-leaved. {Smith.) 
Varieties. — These are numerous on the Continent, but only one 
appears to be in British gardens. This plant has a very high stem, 
with the whorls distant from each other, but many-flowered, and very 
dense. 
Description, &c. — This species differs from the other kinds of Silene, in having the flowers in whorls. The 
flowers themselves, though small, are very pretty, and they droop gracefully from the great length of their 
footstalks. The species is a native of England, and grows best on sandy or gravelly soil. 
PL.\.NTS WITH STEMS. FLOWERS PANICLED, ERECT, OR DROOPING. CALYX TUBULAR, SOMETIMES 
CLUB-SHAPED AT THE APEX. 
vate, 10-striped. Flowers panicled, naked, drooping. Petals bifid, 
crowned. 
6.— SILENE SAXATILIS, Bieb. THE STONE CATCHFLY. 
Engravings. — Bot. Mag. t. 689 ; and our^^. 9 in Plate 25. 
Specific Character. — Smooth ; stem few-leaved ; radical leaves 
oblong, blunted, stalked ; cauline one, lanceolate-linear. Calyx cla- 
Description, &c. ^This very singular species is a night-flowering plant, giving out a delicious fragrance 
when it unfolds its flowers. It is a native of Siberia, whence it was introduced in 1800. It is quite hardy, and 
will grow in any common garden soil, and in any situation which is airy and tolerably dry, as it is very apt to 
be rotted off by wet. It flowers in June and July. 
«.— SILENE VIRGINICA, Lin. THE VIRGINIAN CATCHFLY. 
Engravings. — Bot. Mag. t. 3342 ; and oxlt fig. 4 in Plate 25. 
Specific Character. — Plant covered with clammy pubescence ; 
stems procumbent, assurgeut, branched ; leaves lanceolate, lower ones 
on very long footstalks, ciliated at the base ; flowers large, panicled, 
sometimes crowded ; calyx amply clavate ; petals broad, bifid, crowned 
with long claws. (G. Don.) 
Description, &c. — This species bears considerable .resemblance to S. regia, but the flowers are much smaller 
and the leaves narrower. The species is a native of Virginia, whence it was introduced in 1783, though it is 
very seldom seen in gardens, the more beautiful Silene regia having completely supplied its place. When it is 
grown, any common garden soil wUl suit it. 
7.— SILENE ORNATA, Ait. THE ORNAMENTAL CATCHFLY. 
Engravings. — Bot. Mag. t. 382 ; and omt fig. 3 in Plate 25. 
Specific Character. — Plant pubescent ; stems erect, branched ; 
leaves lanceolate bluutlsh ; flowers panicled ; calyx cylindrical, ventri- 
cose, with alternate stripes and veins ; petals two-parted ; lobes brond, 
denticulated, crowned. (G. Don.) 
Description, &c. — This very ornamental species is generally considered only half hardy, but it has been 
