ew
are hardy in our climate, and very few indeed are natives of this
country, so that in this respect the Snowdrop, if not a rare flower, is
a rare representative in our flora of the order _Amaryllidaceae_.

[Illustration: FIG. 41. GALANTHUS NIVALIS.

(One-half natural size.)]

It may be useful to give a few of the better-known genera to which
_Galanthus_ is so nearly related: _Amaryllis_, _Nerine_, _Crinum_,
_Vallota_, _Pancratium_, _Alstroemeria_, and _Narcissus_. The
last-named genus is more nearly allied than any of the other genera
mentioned; not only does it resemble the Galanthus in style, early
period of bloom, and habit of becoming double, but also for the general
hardiness of its species, a feature not usual in their order.

The literal meaning of the generic name is "Milk Flower." The title with
such a pleasing reference was given by Linnaeus. The specific
name--meaning white--may, for two reasons, seem unnecessary; first,
because milk is white, and again, because no other than white-flowered
species are known. All the three common names are happy ones: "Snowdrop"
and "Fair Maids of February" are appropriate both to the season and a
pretty flower; "Bulbous Violet" pleasantly alludes to its sweetness; all
are poetical, as if this lovely flower had the same effect on the
different minds of those (including Linnaeus) who first gave them. A
dropped name for the Snowdrop was that of "Gilloflower"; Theophrastus,
the father of natural history, gave it the name of "Violet" (_Viola
alba_ or _V. bulbosa_)--that would be 2100 years ago! The bulbs should
be planted by thousands; they will grow anywhere and in any kind of
soil; the demand for their blossom is ever increasing, and Snowdrops, as
everybody knows, are always in place, on the grass, border, or window
sill, or for table; they may be used as emblems of either grief or joy;
they are sweetly pure and attractive, without showiness.

Flowering period, February to April.

Galanthus Plicatus.

FOLDED GALANTHUS; _Nat. Ord_. AMARYLLIDACAAE.

A species from the Crimea; compared with our native kind, it is larger
in the grass, having also other, but very slight, points of difference.
The main one is implied by its name, "plicatus," or folded; its leaves
are furrowed, which causes it to have a folded appearance.

Culture and flowering period, the same as for the other species.

Galanthus Redoutei.

REDOUTE'S GALANTHUS; _Nat. Ord._ AMARYLLIDACEAE.