petals are so beautifully marked by diverging sunken 
veins of a greenish colour, that a fanciful person 
might liken them to rivulets of chrysoprase flowing 
over a bed of snow. The glandular apparatus I 
have spoken of, consists of five fleshy scales, alter- 
nating with the stamens, and divided at their edge 
into numerous rays, each tipped with one beautiful 
pellucid greenish gland ; so that the whole interior 
of the flower, when inspected from above, seems to 
bristle with a guard of fairy lances, tipped with 
sparkling jewels. I know of no natural object more 
exquisitely beautiful than this little flower, which 
you may cultivate for a few months by keeping its 
roots in wet bog moss, and covering it with a bell- 
glass, well exposed to the light.” 
Dr. Lindley here alludes to the Parnassia pulus- 
tris ; we have no doubt, however, but either of the 
species may be grown awhile in the same way. In- 
deed, there would be few more appropriate plants 
for keeping in Mr. Ward’s glass cases, as described 
in the Auctarium, section 72, and also in the Bot- 
anist, under the article Pernettia mucronata. 
No. 112. 
The Parnassia asarifolia is a scarce species, but 
when properly cultivated, is an abundant flowerer. 
It requires to be planted in a shady part of a peat 
bed, where it will increase pretty freely. Or it may 
be kept in pots ; in which case it should be grown 
in sandy peat, and have a good supply of drainers 
beneath it ; and as before noticed, be kept in the 
shade. The proper time for dividing it is just as 
it begins to grow in spring, a period very appropri- 
ate for the division of the majority of plants. 
Don’s Syst. Bot. 1, 348. 
