BUFF-TIP MOTH (Pygæra bucephala). This large and beautiful Moth is very common in many districts; it is easily recognised by the buff-coloured tips of the fore-wings—whence its common name; the head, and body between the wings and abdomen, are ochreous. According to Newman's "British Moths," "the caterpillars, when full grown, are about an inch and three-quarters long, and sprinkled with silky hairs; the general colour yellow, with black head, black lines running from the head to the tail, interrupted by a transverse orange band on each ring, and a black horny plate above the tail segment." They feed on the leaves of the Lime, Elm, and Oak, among other trees, and apparently the only remedy is that generally adopted in exterminating caterpillars, viz., to shake the branches which are infested, when the pest will be quickly dislodged, and fall to the ground. Miss Ormerod is of opinion that "as the caterpillars come down the tree to the ground for their change to chrysalids, it might be worth while to throw a few spadefuls of gas-lime, or of anything they would not cross, in a circle at about a yard from the tree; or a rough band of any material soaked in tar, or tar and oil, which would keep wet longer, would stop them from straying off ... and they might be cleared in sufficient numbers so as to considerably lessen future attack." This plan of prevention deserves a trial in any place where the destructive caterpillars of these Moths abound. It is almost a hopeless task to destroy them altogether when once established on the trees, such specimens as large Oaks being often almost or wholly denuded of foliage.

BUGLE. See [Ajuga.]

BUGLOSSUM BARRELIERI. See [Anchusa Barrelieri].

BUGWORT. See Cimicifuga.

BULBIFEROUS. Bearing bulbs.

BULBINE (from bolbos, a bulb). ORD. Liliaceæ. A genus of rather pretty hardy, or nearly hardy, herbaceous or bulbous plants, allied to Anthericum. Flowers showy, fragrant; perianth with spreading segments. Leaves somewhat fleshy, narrow. Stems short. They are all of easy culture in a compost of sandy loam. The bulbous-rooted species are increased by offsets, and the herbaceous sorts by suckers and divisions. The only species which can be grown satisfactorily in the open air is B. annua. All the others should be grown in the greenhouse, but may be placed in the open during the summer months.

B. alooides (Aloe-like).* fl. yellow, disposed in a terminal panicle. April. l. fleshy, tongue-shaped, lanceolate, flat on both sides. h. 1ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1732. SYN. Anthericum alooides. (B. M. 1317.)

B. annua (annual). fl. yellow; scape racemose. May, June. l. fleshy, subulate, rounded. h. 9in. Cape of Good Hope, 1731. An annual species, the seeds of which should be sown in a gentle heat during spring, and the seedlings may be transplanted to the open when large enough to handle. SYN. Anthericum annuum. (B. M. 1451.)

B. caulescens (caulescent).* fl. yellow. March. l. fleshy, rounded. Stem shrubby, erect, branched. h. 2ft. Cape of Good Hope. 1702. A shrubby species, which should be propagated by cuttings, placed under a hand glass. SYN. B. frutescens. (B. M. 816.)

B. frutescens (shrubby). Synonymous with B. caulescens.

BULBOCODIUM (from bolbos, a bulb, and kodion, wool; referring to the woolly covering of the bulbs). ORD. Liliaceæ. TRIBE Colchiceæ. A very pretty little bulbous plant, much resembling the Crocus, from which it differs principally in having a superior ovary and six stamens. It is amongst the earliest of spring-flowering plants, the flowers preceding the foliage; and, like the majority of bulbs, delights in rich sandy loam. In such positions, they multiply rapidly from offsets. It is a good plan to take up the bulbs, divide, and replant them every second year, selecting in autumn, and renewing the soil or planting in new positions. Few plants prove more welcome in the garden, in February, than B. vernum, either in beds, patches, or masses.

B. Aitchisoni (Aitchison's). A synonym of Merendera Aitchisoni.

B. Eichleri (Eichler's). A synonym of Merendera caucasica.

B. trigynum. A synonym of Merendera caucasica.