be 6in. long); with a small knife or needle split it upwards,
and there will be exposed the style of a corresponding length. The tube
and segments of the calyx are of a pale green colour, segments an inch
or more long, finely pointed; the four petals are large, nearly round,
and overlapping each other, forming a corolla more than 3in. across;
they are satiny in appearance, and transparent, beautifully veined or
nerved, the nerves having delicate green basements, from which spring
stamens of a like colour, but with anthers 1/2in. long, evenly balanced,
and furnished with lemon-yellow pollen. The leaves are herb-like, and,
as the common name implies, like the leaves of the dandelion, similar in
size, but more cut or lobed. The plant, however, varies materially from
the dandelion, in having stems which push out all round the crown,
growing to a considerable length, and resting on the ground.

This plant cannot well be grown in too large quantities, where there is
plenty of room; it produces flowers for a long time, and they are highly
serviceable for cutting purposes, though lasting only a short time. It
cannot well be planted wrong as regards position, as it will thrive
anywhere, providing the soil is enriched, it being a gross feeder; it
should not, however, be planted where it will be likely to overgrow
smaller and less rampant subjects. On the whole, it is one of those
plants which afford a maximum of pleasure for a minimum of care, and
needs no special culture--in fact, takes care of itself. Its
propagation is simple, and may be carried out either by division of the
old roots or by transplanting the self-sown seedlings into their
blooming quarters, during March or April.

Flowering period, June to August.

Omphalodes Verna.

CREEPING FORGET-ME-NOT; _Syn._ CYNOGLOSSUM OMPHALODES;
_Nat. Ord._ BORAGINACEAE.

The common name of this pretty, hardy, herbaceous creeper at once gives
the keynote to its description; it is a very old plant in English
gardens, and a native of South Europe. Parkinson gives a very neat
description of it: "This small borage shooteth forth many leaves from
the roote, every one upon a long stalke, of a darke greene colour; the
stalkes are small and slender, not above halfe a foote high, with very
few leaves thereon, and at the toppes come forth the flowers, made of
five blew round pointed leaves, every one upon a long foote stalke."
This, together with the well-known form and habit of th