What umbelliferous plant, we would ask, can be 
found, exhibiting umbellulee, or partial umbels, of 
such exquisite delicacy ; with a partial involucrum, 
coloured and veined as a beautiful corolla. Thus, 
to a common observer, it is made to appear as a 
compound flower ; and shaded by nature, as though 
it were to assist in the delusion. 
The umbelliferous plants, so common in our 
hedges, which bear so great a resemblance to each 
other, in the eye of the casual observer, are not un- 
frequently rather forbidding to the young botanist ; 
an acquaintance, however, soon brightens their 
countenances. Some of our worthiest friends bear 
but few smiles to a stranger. The common fennel, 
the wild parsnip, and numerous others of this natural 
family, may be given as specimens highly deserving 
examination : their perfect little flowers have their 
irregular petals generally rolled inwards, or indexed, 
alternated with stamens, in one species or other, that 
for beauty of curvature may challenge the Analysis 
of Hogarth. 
The Astrantia maxima will flourish in any common 
garden soil ; but a rather strong loam is most suit- 
able, on account of the tendency the plant has to 
spread, when kept in a very light soil ; its stems and 
flowers will also prove more luxuriant, provided the 
situation be not too dry. 
If several flowering stems be produced, we would 
recommend that part of them be cut off at the bot- 
tom, as soon as the first flowers begin to fade ; this 
will encourage the growth of a second crop of blos- 
soming stems, and secure a display of beautifully 
delicate flowers till the end of summer. 
Hort, Kew. 2, v. 2, 119. A. helleborifolia. 
