PHLOX NIVA'LIS. 
SNOW-WHITE PHLOX. 
Class. Order. 
PENTANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
POLE MON I ACEA5. 
Native of 1 Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Introduced 
N. America. 4 inches. 
May, June. 
Perennial. 
in 1822. 
No. 190. 
The old name of this family of plants was Lych- 
nidea, from the similarity of its flowers to those of 
the Lychnis ; a term which arose out of the Greek 
word luknis, a lamp, the wick of a lamp, or 
flame. By Linneus, it was deemed inadmissible, 
that one generic name should be founded on another ; 
and he is supposed to have obviated this irregu- 
larity by making choice of the Greek word phlox, 
signifying flame, on account of the apparent con- 
nexion of the two words. 
In a former number we have given the Phlox 
setacea, a pink-flowered species, to which the Phlox 
nivalis is very nearly related, in the aspect of its 
foliage, and general habit of growth. It is a beau- 
tifully delicate plant for pot culture ; and strong 
ones, in the borders, have a very attractive effect. 
We have had it exposed to severe frosts, without 
the least injury ; it may, notwithstanding, be ad- 
visable to protect a plant in a cold frame, or by a 
hand-glass #nd matting on the border. It prefers 
a rich light soil, mixed with peat, in a dry situation ; 
and is easily raised from cuttings, in the same man- 
ner as the Phlox setacea, already noticed. 
Sweet’s FI. Gar. t. 185. 
