s.

_D. M. autumnale_ is another variety, which, however, blooms in the
autumn; the flowers are red; it is a native of Europe.

These shrubs enjoy a light but moist soil of a vegetable nature, but
they also thrive in a sandy loam. They may be increased by seed, or,
more quickly, by grafting on stocks of spurge laurel; cuttings may be
rooted, but are uncertain.

Dentaria Digitata.

TOOTHWORT; _Nat. Ord._ CRUCIFERAE.

A hardy, tuberous perennial, native of Switzerland, but long cultivated
in British gardens, and decidedly "old-fashioned."

Imagine a spray of pale purple wallflower, and that will give some idea
of the form and colour of its flowers, which are produced on round wiry
stems, nearly a foot high, in terminal racemes. The leaves, which are
produced mostly in threes on a stem, have a channelled petiole, and, as
the specific name denotes, are spread out like fingers, mostly of five
parts; a five-cut leaf of a Christmas rose will give a fair notion of
the form, but the Toothwort leaves are less, not so thick, and more
herb-like than the hellebore; they are also finely, deeply, but
irregularly toothed. The roots are of singular form, almost like human
teeth, arranged as scales, whence the name Toothwort. Its first
appearance above ground is in February, when the young growths are bent
or folded like those of the anemone, and in genial seasons it will
flower early in March.

It loves both a little shade and moisture. I grow it at the base of a
bit of rockwork, in black or leaf mould; the aspect is south-east, but
an old sun-dial screens it from the mid-day sun. The whole plant has a
somewhat quaint appearance, but it has proved a great favourite. When
the tops have died down the roots can safely be lifted, cut in lengths
of one or two inches, and then replanted. It also produces seed freely,
but from the easy method of increase by root division, I have not had
occasion to experiment with seed.

Flowering period, March to May.

Dianthus Deltoides.

MAIDEN PINK; _Old Names_, "WILD GILLOFLOWER,"
"VIRGIN-LIKE PINKE," "MAIDENLY PINKE"; _Nat. Ord._
CARYOPHYLLACEAE--SILENACEAE.

A British species of perennial character, never failing to bloom for a
long period when it meets with a suitable home in our gardens--as in
positions similar to those described for _Erysimum pumilum_. Seen either
wild or in gardens it is much admired; it bears but simple flowers, but
therein consists its beauty.

As