*Carlina acaulis.—A hardy perennial, rather interesting from its foliage, which has some resemblance to the leaves of a miniature Acanthus, and is disposed in a broad, handsome, regular rosette very close to the ground. Its single yellowish flower, 3 ins. or more across, is borne on a very short, erect stalk in the centre of the rosette. Although too dwarf for association with plants of more imposing stature, it is well worthy of a place on a bank or slope, or on the margins of low beds or groups, where its pleasing aspect and very distinct habit will be
seen to best advantage. It thrives best in dry, stony, calcareous soil, and is easily multiplied by sowing. In the mountainous districts of France the flowers are gathered by the inhabitants, and used as a substitute for artichokes. Central Europe.
Carludovica palmata.—A very ornamental, palm-like plant, from 4 ft. to 7 ft. high, with rich dark-green leaves from 2 ft. to 3 ft. broad, and divided into four lobes, each of which is again divided at the apex into narrow segments. The leaf-stalks are round, smooth, and without spines, and are of the same colour as the leaves. This interesting plant will stand the open air in summer, from early June till October, but requires warm house treatment in winter, with plenty of water at all times. Seed. Peru and New Granada.
Caryota sobolifera.—An elegant Palm, with a slender stem and shining light-green bipinnate leaves. The leaf-stalks, when young, are clothed with a short, black, scaly tomentum, which falls off as the plant grows older. It is often confounded with C. urens, but may be easily distinguished from it by the suckers which it produces very freely from its base. Similar treatment and uses to those given for C. urens, with which it is of much the same value for the open garden. Malacca.
Caryota urens.—An East Indian Palm, with a stout stem, and an elegant crown of spreading bipinnate leaves, from 3 ft. to 12 ft., or more, in length, of a dark-green colour, the leaflets being 6 ins. to 9 ins. long by 2 ins. to 4 ins. wide. When young, it should be potted in equal parts of loam and vegetable mould, with a little sand; the pot to be well drained, and water given liberally during the growing season. It is generally seen in a small state in this country; and though it stands the open air in summer, from June till the end of September, pretty well, it can never be of much importance for our open-air gardening.
*Cassia marilandica.—A hardy, graceful perennial, 3½ ft. to 5 ft. high, with pinnate leaves, resembling those of the Acacia, and slender stems, bearing yellow flowers, in numerous small clusters in autumn. It is somewhat late in growth, but once commenced, grows with great rapidity. It thrives best in a position with a south aspect, and may be multiplied either by division in spring, or by sowing from April to June. It should always be planted in a warm, deep, sandy loam, and is very suitable for borders or association in groups with the finer hardy subjects, its graceful leaves qualifying it for a place in a group of hardy foliage-plants. In naturally warm, deep, and well-drained soils it will prove a noble subject for the back parts of borders. N. America.