icient remedies, which
shall be mentioned shortly.

The illustration (Fig. 95) gives some idea of its form and habit. The
flowering rosettes send up stems 6in. high; they are well furnished with
leaves--in fact, they are the rosettes elongated; they terminate with a
cluster of buds and flowers, which remain several weeks in perfection,
however unfavourable the weather may be.

The flowers are more than an inch across, of a bright rose colour, and
very beautiful; the central flower is invariably the largest, and the
number of petals varies from six to twelve. The leaves are in rosette
form, the rosettes being sometimes 2in. across, nearly flat, and
slightly dipped in the centre; a downy web, as fine as a cobweb, covers
the rosette, it being attached to the tips of the leaves, and in the
middle it is so dense that it has a matted appearance. The leaves are
very fleshy, glandular, and of a pale green colour. Slow in growth,
habit very compact; it has a tender appearance, but I never saw its web
damaged by rain or hail.

[Illustration: FIG. 95. SEMPERVIVUM LAGGERI.

(Two-thirds natural size.)]

Many grow it in pots for indoor use; it finds a happy home on rockwork
or old walls; it should have a dry and sunny situation, and, with these
conditions, it will prove attractive all the year round. It thrives well
in gritty loam; a little peat rubbed in with the grit will be an
improvement and also more resemble its native soil. To preserve it from
the bad effects of our damp winters, it need not be taken indoors, but
sheets of glass should be tilted over the specimens during the short
days, when they are dormant; the glass should not touch the plant. This
seems to be the nearest condition we can afford it as a substitute for
the snows of its mountain home, and I may add, for years it has proved
effective; in fact, for several years I have left specimens in the open
without any shelter whatever, and the percentage of loss has been very
low, though the seasons were trying. It propagates itself freely by
offsets; if it is intended to remove them from the parent plant, it
should be done early in summer, so that they may become established
before winter, otherwise the frosts will lift them out of position.

Flowering period, June to August.

Senecio Pulcher.

NOBLE GROUNDSEL; _Nat. Ord._ COMPOSITAE.

[Illustration: FIG. 96. SENECIO PULCHER.

(One-tenth natural size.)]

Autumn is the heyday of Composite flowers. Th