in mine opinion it is more like unto the bones of a sheep's head that hath been long in the water, or the flesh consumed clean away."

Since Gerarde's day, the Snap-Dragon has sported into many varieties, not only purple, but rosy, crimson, yellow, red and white, white striped, mottled, tipped, etc. It is an imperfect perennial, and is apt to die out every few years, particularly in a moist soil-in fact I have been unable to keep it through the winter in some seasons. The varieties may be propagated from cuttings, or division of the root. It is raised abundantly from the seed, flowering the first autumn; but not so strong as the second year. Many beautiful varieties are in cultivation. It flourishes best in a dry, loamy soil; is in flower in June, July, and August. Linaria vulgaris, which grows profusely by our road sides is a closely related plant; the flowers, yellow and orange. This was formerly cultivated in the garden, but it has a propensity for running about the ground where it is not wanted, and soon becomes a troublesome weed.

APIOS.-GROUND-NUT.

[From the Greek word for pear, in allusion to the shape of the tubers.]

Apios tuberósa.-Ground-nut, Dacotah Potato.-Indigenous and common in rich moist woods and thickets, produces flowers in axillary, crowded racemes, of a blackish-purple color, which would make a pleasing acquisition to the various ornaments of the border or shrubbery. Its roots are strings of oblong cylindrical tubers, frequently known by the name of pig or Indian potatoes; when roasted or boiled, they are eatable, and said to have made an ordinary part of the vegetable food of the aborigines.

The leaves are pinnated, each consisting of from five to seven ovate accuminate leaves. Stems round, twining. from six to eight feet high, in July and August.

AQUILEGIA.-COLUMBINE.

[From aquila, an eagle. The inverted spurs of the flower have been likened to the talons of a bird of prey.]

Aquilégia vulgáris, and its varieties, are too well known to require description. They are all beautiful, and interesting when planted in beds or masses. They are of every shade of blue, purple-white, reddish-brown, rose, striped or variegated, with single, semi-double and full double flowers. Some of the single sorts are more desirable than the double; particularly the large single blue and purple varieties, with white centers. In bloom in June and July. Propagated by dividing the roots, or from seed from choice varieties. All are perennial.

I

A. Canadensis, is one of the finest species; indigenous, common in rocky situations, flowering early in May and June. It has pendulous scarlet flowers, yellow inside. I have seen a pure white variety, growing in the crevice or seam of a rock, but, in my attempt to extricate it, the root was broken off and ruined, to my great sorrow. have also seen a straw-colored variety at the Botanic Garden, Cambridge. This elegant vernal flower is much improved when cultivated, the stool increasing in magnitude, throwing up many more stems, and the flowers enlarged. If some florist would undertake the task of impregnating the flowers of this variety with some of the fine garden species, no doubt, but very satisfactory results would be obtained.

A. glandulósa, is a splendid and newly introduced species from Siberia. The plant is more dwarfish in its

habits than the common Columbine, the leaves are more finely divided; it is about one foot high, producing its beautiful flowers in June. The flowers are large and rich sky-blue; the inside and margin of the corolla pure white. It is one of the most desirable of the genus, propagated from seeds, or dividing the roots soon after flowering and not in the spring. This splendid species is lost to me and I cannot obtain it from Europe; the seed which has been sent me for this, has proved to be something else. Many of the Siberian plants are protected by the deep snows of that climate, and our open winters are fatal to many plants from that region, and I suppose I lost my bed of this elegant flower on account of its being half-hardy. It should have been kept in a frame through the winter.

A. alpína, is a very handsome species with rich, deep blue flowers; which, instead of drooping as in other species, has its flowers erect.

A. Skinnérii, raised from imported seed, it has large red flowers; the spurs are of deep green color, singular and beautiful, this also is lost in my collection. I do not know its origin. A. bicolor, is a beautiful hybrid. Most of the species and varieties are at home in any good garden soil.

ARCTOTIS.

[Named from Greek words, signifying bear, and capsule, because its fruit is shaggy, like a bear.]

Arctótis breviscápa, a new annual. I do not know the origin of this plant, but received it, with other seeds, from Paris. The flowers are composite, like the Calendula officinalis, or Pot Marigold, and have some resemblance to that flower, but the foliage is quite different. The

flowers are of a brilliant yellow, and open to the sun, but close at night. There is a succession of flowers through the season, which makes it a desirable border-plant.

ARGEMONE.-PRICKLY POPPY.

[From agema, the name by which the cataract of the eye was known, and was thought to be cured by this plant.]

Argemóne Mexicána, is a troublesome weed in the West Indies, with a fig-shaped capsule, armed with prickles, and thence by the Spaniards, called Figo del inferno. The whole plant abounds with a milky juice, which turns in the air to a fine bright yellow. It has handsome poppy-shaped yellow flowers. It is sometimes found inthe garden, but that is not a proper place for it, for one cannot touch it without being wounded with the spines which are upon the leaves as well as the capsules; nor break it without soiling the hand, and when the flower is gathered it is not suitable for the bouquet. A. grandiflora, like the last, is an annual in our climate, but the thick fleshy roots may be taken up in the fall, kept in the cellar, and planted out in the spring. It has a very large, showy white flower, with numerous yellow stamens and quite ornamental; but, like A. Mexicana is only to be looked at and not meddled with. A. ochroleuca, has pale-yellow flowers. The leaves, capsules, and the whole plant are armed with formidable spines; having had the hands or any part of the body in contact with the plant, it will be forever after viewed with feelings far from pleasureable. A. Barclayana is equal to the others in its powers of annoyance, but its more showy, brilliant yellow flowers, will, in some measure, make amends for its repulsiveness. I cannot recommend this genus of plants, only where large collections are desired.