tings of the young shoots, in sand, under a
hand-light, in summer ; shrubby ones by similar
means ; rich sandy loam.

GREENHOUSE BIENNIALS.
S. crassifo'lia (thick-leaved). 1. Brown. July.
Cape of Good Hope. 1774.

giga'ntic (gigantic). 3. White. June.

Africa. 1738.

orna'ta (ornamental). 2. Purple. July.

Cape of Good Hope. 1776.

undula'ta (wavy). l. Red. August, Cape

of Good Hope. 1/75.



HALF-HARDY HERBACEOUS.
S. acau'lis (stemless). . Rose. July. Britain.
a'lba (white). . White. July.

Britain.
fce'mina (female). Red. July. Scot-

laud.
exsca'pa (scapeless). |. Red. July.

Switzerland. 1819-

ma's (male). Rose. July. Scotland.

faba'ria (Faba-leaved). g. White. July.

Sicily. 1731.
frutico'sa (shrubby). l. Pink. June.

Sicily. 1629. Evergreen.

Mocinia'na (Mocha's). 1. Purple. June.

Mexico. 1827.

specio'sa (showy). 1. Scarlet. June. 1843.

HARDY ANNUALS, &C.

S. Mgypti'aca (Egyptian). 1. Pink. July.
Egypt. 1800.

Arme'ria (Sweetwiltiam] . l. Pink. August.

England.
a'lba (white). White.

asce'ndens (ascending). J. Red. June,

Spain. 1822.

Ato'cion (Atocion). $ Pink. June. Le-

vant. 1781.

bi'color (two-coloured). 1. Striped. June.

France. 1820.

Canarie'nsis (Canary). . Red. June.

Madeira. 1822.

Cerastoi'des (Cerastium-like). f. White.

July. South Europe. 1732.

cheiranthifo'lia (Wallflower-leaved). 1. Red.

July. Swan River. 1821.

color a' ta (coloured). 1. Purple. June.

Morocco. 1819.

compa'cta (compact). l. Pink. August.

Caucasus. 1823. Biennial.

conge'sta (crowded). 1. Pink. June.

Greece. 1818.

Cre'tica (Cretan). . Green, white. July.

Crete. 1732. Biennial.

Csere'ii (Cserei's). 3. White. June. 1834.

cylindriflo'ra (cylindrical-flowered). 1. Red.

June. Levant. 1824. Biennial.

di'scolor (various-coloured). . Red. April.

Greece. 1817.

diversifo 1 lia (various-leaved). 1. Purple.

June. 1820.

e'legans (elegant). l. White. June. Portu-

gal. 1819.

geminiflo'ra (twin-flowered). 1. Purple.

June. 1816.

gra'cilis (slender). 1. White. July. 1823.

hi'spida (bristly). 1. Cream. June. Bar-

bary. 1817.

Ibe'rica (Iberian), l. White. June. Iberia.

1823.

imbrica'ttt (imbricated). l. White. June.

North Africa. 1818.

Ita'lica (Italian). 14. White. May. Italy.

1759. Biennial.
juvena'lis (youthful). 2. White. June. 1835,

la'cera (torn). l. White. July. Caucasus.

1818. Biennial.

la^ifio'ra (loose-flowered). 1. White. June.

Spain. 1820.

linifo'lia (Flsux-leaved). 1. Green, yellow.

Julv. Portugal. 1817.

longicau'lis (long-stemmed), 1, Red. June.

Spain. 1818.



SIL



[ 820 ]



SIL



S. Lusita'illcu (Portuguese). 1. Pink. June.
Portugal. 1732.

multiflo'ra (many-flowered). 1. White. June.

Hungary. 1794. Biennial.

nemora'lis (grove). 1. White. June. Hun-

gary. 1816. Biennial.

noctiflo'ra (night-flowering). 2. Pink. July.

England.

noctu'rna (night). 2. Brown. July. South

Europe. 1683.

nycta'ntha (night-flowered). l. Brown.

July. 1815.

Oliveria'na (Oliver's). Red. July. Aleppo.

1818.

orchi'dea (Orchid-like). Rose. June. Le-

vant. 1781.

pe'ndula (drooping). 1. Red. June. Sicily.

1731.

pcrfo'liata (leaf-stem-pierced). l. Red.

June. Levant. 1817- Biennial.

pi'cta (painted). 2. Pink. July. France. 1817.

Porte'nsis (Oporto). 1. Pink. July. Por-

tugal. 1759-

Psummi'tis (Psammitis). l. Cream. June.

1818. Biennial.

pumi'lio (dwarf). . Pink, June. Ger-

many. 1823.

quinque-vu' Inera (five-wounded). 1. Blood.

July. England.

ramo'sa (branchy). 1. White. July. Bar-

bary. 1820.

ramosi'ssima(branchiest). 1&. Rose. June.

Candia. Biennial.

reticula'ta (netted). 1. Rose. July. Bar-

bary. 1804.

rube'lla (small-red). . Flesh. May. Por-

tugal. 1735.

sabuleto'rum (gravel-pit). 1. Purple. June.

1818.

secundifto'ra (side-flowering). 1. Purple.

June. Spain. 1820.

seri'cea (silky). 1^. Pink. July. South

Europe. 1801.

spatula'ta (spatulate). . Purple. June,

Caucasus. 1823. Biennial.

stri'cta (upright). l. Purple. June. Spain.

1802.

tenuifo'lia (fine-leaved). 1. Purple. June.

Dahuria. 1820.

tridenta'ta (three-toothed). J. Pink. May.

Barbary. 1823.

undulafo'lia (wavy-leaved). Red. June.

Sardinia. 1820.

vesper ti' no. (evening). 2. Rose. July.
Brittany. 1796.

visco'sa (clammy). 2. White. June. Levant.

1731. Biennial.

viscosiss'ima (clammiest). 1. June. Naples.

1824.

HAEDY HEEBACEOUS.

S. Alta'ica (Altaic). 1. Yellowish. August.
Altai. 1831.

amee'na (pleasing). 1. White. July. Tartary.

1779.

angustifo'lia (narrow - leaved). 1. White.

July. Europe. 1817-

apri'ca (sunny). Russia. 183/.

catspito'sa (turfy). $. Pink. June. Caucasus.

1822.

campanula (bell-flowered). 2. Green, while.

July. Piedmont. 1823.



S. ca'na (hoary;. H. KeJ. June. 1824.

Ca'spica (Caspian). i l . Pink. June. Cau-

casus. 1823.

Catesbai'a (Catesby's). 1. Pink. June.

Carolina. 1810.

catho'lica (universal). l. Green, white.

August. Italy. 1711.

chloreefo'lia (Chlora - leaved). 1 . Lilac,

yellow. August. Armenia. 179*i.

chlora'ntha (pale - flowered). 14. Green,

white. July. Germany. 1732.

Purple. June.



cilia' ta (hair-fringed). J,

Crete. 1804.

cordifo'lia (heart-leaved).

Piedmont. 1819-



-4. Pink.
Purple.
White.



June.
June.



Co'rsica (Corsican).

Corsica. 1820.

depre'ssa (depressed). . White. June.

Iberia. 1816.

e/u'sa (spreading). 1. White, yellow. July.

Volga. 1823.

ela'ta (tall). 3. White. June. Tauria. 181Q.
fimbria'ta ({ringed-flowered). 2. White.

June. Caucasus. 1803.

flave'sccns (yellowish). 1. Yellow. June.

Hungary. 1804.

glaucifo'liu (milky-green-leaved), i- Red.

June. Spain. 1820.

graminifo'lia (Grass-leaved). 2. White.

June. Altai. 1819.

gypso'philci (chalk-loving). . White. June.

1822.

Hispa'nica (Spanish). . Red. June,

Spain. 1819.

infla'ta (inflated). 1. White. July. Britain.
- hirsu'ta (hairy). White. Britain.

infra' eta (broken). White. July. Hungary.

1800.

lacinia'ta(cut-petaled). 1$. Scarlet. July.

South America. 1823.

latifo'lia (broad-leaved). 1, White. July.

Barbary. 1817-

longiflo'ra (long-flowered). l. Lilac, pur-

ple. August. Hungary. 1793.

mari'tima (sea). . White. August. Britain.
- flo're-ple'no (double-flowered). 1.

White. August. England.

molli'Mima (softest). 1. Pink. August.

Italy. 1739.

ocymoi'des (Basil-like). 1. April. 1823.

ova'ta (egg -leaved). 1. White. June.

North America. 1820.

parado'xa (paradoxical). 1. Pink. July.

Europe.

parvifo'lia (small-leaved). 1|. Pink. June.

1817-

pa' tula (spreading). 1. White, July.

Barbary. 1823.

Pennsylva'nica (Pennsylvanian). 1. Red.

June. North America. 1806.

petra'a (rock). $. White. July. Hungary.

1822.

pilo'sa (shaggy). White. August. Europe.

1739.

polyphy'lla (many-leaved). 1. White. June.

Austria. 1800.

procu'mbens (lying-down). $. Pink. June.

Siberia. 1823.

pube'sccns (downy). 1. Purple. July.

Corsica. 1818.

quadridcnta'tu (four-toothed). 4- White.

June. Alps. 1822.



SIL



[ 82T ]



SIP



S. quadri'fida (four-cleft). \. White. June.
Verona. 1818.

refle'xa (bent-back). 1. Purple. June.

South Europe. 1726.

rc'gla (royal). l. Crimson, June. North

America. 1811.

re'pens (creeping). 1. Pink. August.

Siberia. 1823.

nequie'nii (Requiems) . . White, red.

June. Corsica. 1823.

Suxifra'gra (Saxifrage), i. Flesh. July.

France. 1640.

Scha'fta (Schafta). . Rose. April. Keri-

dach. 1844.

Sibi'rica (Siberian). l. Rose. July.

Siberia. 1773.

spergulifo'lia (Spurrey-leaved). . White.

June. Armenia. 1817-

stella' to, (star-leaved*). 1. White. July.

North America. 1696.

stylo'sn (large-styled). . Yellowish. July.

1831.

supi'na (supine). |. Pink. July. Caucasus.

1804.

Tata'rica (Tartarian). 2. White. July.

Russia. 1796.

tdnuis (slender). $. Cream. July. Siberia.

1816.

Valle'sii (Vallesian). . Flesh. July.

Switzerland. 1/65.

Virgi'nica (Virginian). 1. Purple. July.

North America. 1783.

viscaginoi'des (Viscago-like). . Pink. June.

Dauria. 1824.

Wolge'nsis (Wolga). Green, yellow. July.

Wolga. 1824.

SILK COTTON-TREE. Bn'mbax.

S ILK-TREE. Aca'cia julibri'ssin.

SIMARU'BA. (The Guiana name.
Nat. ord., Quassiads [Simarubacese].
Linn., \Q-Dccandria \-Monogynia. Al-
lied to Quassia.)

Stove, yellowish-white-flowered, evergreens
from West Indies. Cuttings of the ripe shoots,
in sand, under a bell-glass, and in a strong
moist heat ; fibry peat, and light fibry loam.
Winter temp., 55 to 65; summer, 65 to 85.
S. exce'lsa (lofty). 40. 1818.

glau'ca t milky-green). 1824.

officina'lis (shop). 10. 1/89.

SINA'PIS. Mustard. (From the Celtic
nap, applied to the cabbage tribe. Nat.
ord., Crucifers [Brassicacese]. Linn.,
lo-Tetradynamia. )

Hardy yellow-flowered annuals. See Mus-
tard.

S. a'tba (white). 3. June. Britain.
frute'scens (shrubby). l. July. Madeira.
1777-

ni'gra (black). 4. May. Britain.

tu'rgida (turgid). 4. May. Britain.

laoiga'ta (smooth). 4. May. E.

Indies. 181Q.

nudicau'lis (naked -stemmed). 1. June.

Spain. 1818.

SINGA'NA. (From sinya-s'niyu, the
name in Guiana. Nat. ord., Capparids



[Capparidacetc], Linn., 13-Polyandriu
1-Monoyynia. Allied to Crateeva.)

Stove evergreen climber. Cuttings of firm
side-shoots, in sand, under a bell-glass, and in
bottom heat, in May ; sandy loam and fibry
peat. Winter temp., 55 to da ; summer, 60
to 85.

.S. Guianee'nsis (Guianian). White. June.
Guiana. 1827.

SINGLING. Thinning seedlings so
that two do not touch each other.

SINXI'NGIA. (Named after W. Sin-
ning, a German gardener. Nat. ord.,
Gesnerworts [Gesneracese]. Linn., 14-
Didynamia 2-Anyiosperrnia. )

We have retained this genus, the name being
in common use, but the species are Gloxinias.
Stove evergreens. For culture see Ge'sneru.
S. gutta'ta (spotted). l. Yellow, red. June.
Brazil. 1827.

He'lleri (Heller's). 1. White, green. June.

Rio Janeiro. 1 827.

veluti'na (velvety). l. Yellow. June.

Brazil. 1827.

villo'sa (shaggy). l. Yellow, green. June.

Brazil. 1827.

SIPHOCA'MPYLOS. (From siphon, a
tube, and kampylos, a curve ; shape of
the flower. Nat. ord., Lobeliads [Lo-
beliaceai] . Linn., 5-Pentandria \-Mono-
//i/nia.}

Cuttings root readily ; those which are
herbaceous are best struck from the young
shoots, several inches in length, as they rise
from the root in spring ; bicolor and bctula;-
folius are hardy in sheltered places.

HARDY.

S. betultefo'lius (Birch-leaved). 3. Red,
yellow. July. Brazil. 1842. Deciduous.

bi'color (two-coloured). 3. Red, yellott'.

April. Georgia. 1835. Evergreen.

GREENHOUSE EVERGREENS.
S. cocci' neus (scarlet-^?OM-'e?'e?). 3. Scarlet,
July. Brazil.

duploserra'tus (double-saw-leaved). 2. Red.

Brazil. 1847.

lantanifo'lius (Latana -leaved). Rose. July,

Organ Mountains. 1841.

. glabriu'sculus (rather-smooth).

3. Purplish red. April. Caraccas. 184/.

longipeduncula'tus (long-flower-stalked). 3.

Red. January. Organ Mountains.
1841.

STOYE EVERGREENS.

S. giga'ntcus (gigantic). Yellow, red. New
Granada.

glandulo'sus (glanded-calyxed). 3. Red.

July. Bogota. 1845.

Gulanc'nsis (Guianian). Guiana. 1847.

manetticeflo'rus (Manettia-flowered). 1.

Red, yellow. April. New Granada.
1848.

microsto'ma (small-mouthed). 3. Scarlet.

September. New Granada. 1844.



SIP



828 ]



SKI



S. Orbigina'nus (D'Orbiny's). Yellow and
scarlet. Valparaiso. 1850.

exi'mius (shewy). Dark violet.

New Granada. 1850.

e'legans (elegant). Bright red.

New Granada. 184Q.

reticula't us (netted). Violet. New Granada.

1850.

sea 'ndens (climbing). Scarlet. Peru. 1847.

Suriname'nsis (Surinam). 2. Orange.

April. S. America. 1/86.

Sissoo WOOD. Dalbe'rgia si'ssoo.

SISY'MBEIUM. A classical name for
some plant. Nat. orcl., Crucifers [Cru-
ciferse]. Linn., 15-Tetradynamia.}

Many species, all but one mere weeds. This
is propagated by cuttings of young shoots, in
spring ; does best with greenhouse treatment,
but requires at least a cold pit in cold winters ;
common sandy loam.

S. millefo'lium (Milfoil-leaved). Ij. Yellow.
June. Canaries. 1779- Evergreen.

SIPHO'NIA. (From siphon, a tube or
pipe. Nat. ord., Spurgeworts [Euphor-
biaceee]. Linn., 21-Monoeda 10-Mona-
delphia.)

The Brazilian, or Bottle Indian-rubber is the
produce of this shrub. Stove evergreen shrub.
Cuttings of ripened shoots, dried at the base,
inserted in sand, under a large glass, in bottom-
heat; sandy, fibry loam, peat, and leaf-mould.
Winter temp., 50 to 60 ; summer, 60 to 85.
S. Cahu'chu (Cahuchu). 6. Guiana. 1823.

SISYKI'NCHIUM. (From sys, a pig,
and rynchos, a snout ; swine grub out
the roots for food. Nat. ord., Irids
[Iridacese]. Linn., 13-Polyandria 6-
Polygynia.)

Herbaceous perennials. Seeds and offsets,
in spring ; sandy loam and leaf-mould.

HAEDY.

S. a'nceps (two-edged). 1. Blue. June. North
America. 16Q3.

Califo'rnicum (Californian). . Yellow.

July. California. 1796.

Cummi'ngii (Cumming's). 1. Cream. July.

North America. 1832.

glaucophy' Hum (milky-green-leaved). f .

Blue. August. North America. 1830.

grandiflo'rum (large-flowered). . White.

May. North America. 1826.

mucrona'tum (spine -pointed). fj. Blue.

June. North America. 1812.

Nutta'lli (Nuttall's). 1. Blue. June. North

America. 1823.

stria'turn (channelled). 2. Yellow. June.

Mexico. 1788.

tenuifo'lium (slender-leaved). . Yellow.

May. South America. 1816.

HALF-HARDY.

S. Bermudia'num (Bermuda). 1. Blue. June.
Bermudas. 1/32.

Chile'nse (Chilian). Blue. July. Chili. 1826.

convolu'tum (encircling). *. Yellow. May.

South America, 1810.



S. graminifo'lium (Grass-leaved), , Yellow.
April. Chili. 1825.

pu'milum (dwarf), . Yel-
low. October. Chili.

hirte'llum (slightly-hairy). |. White. July.

North America. 1830.

iridifo'lium (Iris-leaved). |. Yellow. June.

South America. 1822.

ju'nceum (reed-like). f. Lilac. June.

Chili. 1832.

lalxum (loose). . Yellow. June. South

America. 1818.

lute 1 seem (yellowish). 2. Yellowish. June.

Chili. 1830.

lu'teum (yellow). . Yellow. June. South

America. 1823.

macroce'phalum (large-headed). l. Yel-

lowish. July.

macula' turn (spotted-pet uled). 1. Yellow-

spotted. June. Chili. 1830.

maja'le (May). Yellow. May. Valparaiso.

1832.

micro! nthum (small-flowered). . Yellow.

June. South America. 1815.

odorati'ssimum (sweetest -scented). White.

June. South America. 1828.

palmifo'lium (Palm- leaved). 1. AVhite.

February. Brazil. 1823. Stove.

peduncula 1 turn {long - flower - stalked). 1.

Yellow. September. Chili. 1827.

plica' turn (folded). 2. White. February.

West Indies. 1779. Stove.

specio'sum (showy). 1. Blue. June. Chili.

1836.

SITOLO'BIUM. (From sitos, wheat,
and lobos, a lobe ; shape of the lobes of
the fronds. Nat. ord., Ferns [Polypo-
diacese]. Linn., 2-Cryptogamia l-Fi-
lices. )

Stove, brown-spored Ferns. See Ferns.
S. adiantoi'des (Maiden-hair-like). May. West
Indies. 1834.

cunea'tum (wedge-shaped). May. Isle of

Luzon.

davallioi' des (Davallia - like). May. New

Holland. 1833.

disse'ctum (dissected). Winter. East Indies.

fla'ccidum (weak). April. Isle of Luzon.

glutinu'mm (clammy). April. East Indies.

pilosiu' sculum (slightly-hairy). September.

East Indies.

punctilo 1 bium (dotted-lobed). April. North

America. 1822.

rubigino'sum (ruddy). May. Brazil. 1841.

SI'UM. (From sin, the Celtic for
water. Nat. ord., Umbellifers [Umbel-
liferacesej. Linn., 5-Penlandria 2-JJi-

All weeds, except the following. See Skirret.
S. sisa'rum (Skirret). 1. White. August.
China. 1548.

SKINNE'IIA. (Named after Captain
Skinner t a botanist. Nat. ord., Hind-
weeds [Convolvulaceee]. Linn., b-Pcn-
tandria 1-Afonoyynia, Allied to Caty-
stegia.)



SKI



[ 829 ]



SNA



Stove herbaceous. Seeds in a hotbed, in
spring ; and cuttings of the young shoots in
spring, in sandy light soil, and in a sweet
bottom-heat ; rich, light, fibry loam, and a
little peat. Winter temp., 53 to 60 ; summer,
60 to 85.

S, ccEspito'sa (turfy). Yellow. May. East
Indies. 1827.

SKIRRET. Si'um Sisa'rum. Sow at
the end of March, or early in April, in
drills a quarter-of-an-inch deep, and
twelve inches apart. Thin the plants
to twelve inches apart. In autumn,
they will be fit for use like parsnips.
By Offsets. Old roots throw off these
in the spring, when they may be slipped
off, and planted in rows a foot apart
each way. Soil. A light rich loam is
best, trenched, with a little manure dug
in with the bottom spit.

To save Seed, let a few of the old
roots run up in spring ; they ripen their
seed in the autumn.

SKULL-CAP. Scntella'ria.

SLIPPER WORT. See Calceola'ria.

SLIPS are young shoots torn off from
the parent plant, so that they have a
heel of older wood attached to them.
See Cult in ys for culture. Slips also is
the name applied to the side-beds of
the kitchen, not immediately in contact
with the walls or fences.

SLOE TREE. Pru'nns spino'sa.

SLUGS are of many species, and the
smaller are much more injurious to the
gardener than those of a larger size,
because they are much less discernible,
and their ravages being more gradual,
are not at once detected. They are
effectually destroyed by either salt or
lime ; and to secure the contact of these
with their bodies, it is best first to water
the soil where they harbour, Avith lime-
Avater in the evening, when they are
coming out to feed, sprinkling the sur-
face at the same time Avith dry lime; and
at the end of a week, applying a surface-
dressing of salt, at the rate of five
bushels per acre. If cabbage leaves are
spread upon the surface of land infested
by slugs, they Avill resort to their under
sides, and thus they may be trapped ;
but lime and salt are most efficacious.
Lime-water may be poured over wall-
trees infested with them, and they may
be syringed with it as well as with wa-
ter in which gas liquor has been mixed,



about half-a-pint to a gallon. If lime
be sprinkled along the top, and at the
base of the wall, renewing it weekly,
the slugs cannot get to the trees. Fresh
brewers' grains, placed in small heaps,
are good traps for them ; and frequent
earth-stirring helps to banish them.

SMEATHMA'NNIA. (Named after
Smeathmann, an African traveller. Nat.
ord., Passionworts [ Passinoracese ].
Linn., 13-Polyandria 6-Polyyynia.}

Stove, white-flowered evergreens, from Sierra
Leone. Cuttings of ripened shoots, or short
stubby side-shoots, in sand, under a bell-glass,
and in bottom-heat ; sandy fibry loam, and
lumpy peat. Winter temp., 55 to6o; sum-
mer, 60 to 85.
S. Ifeviga'ta (smooth-leaved). 6. February. 1823.

pube'sccns (downy). 10. February.

SMILACI'NA. (Diminutive of Smilax,
from smile, a scraper ; referring to the
rough stems. Nat. ord., Lilyworts
[Liliacese]. Linn., G-Hexandria \-Mo-
noyynia.}

Hardy herbaceous, white-flowered, and from
North America, except where otherwise speci-
fied. Divisions, in spring ; common light soil.
S. bifo'lia (two-leaved). $. May. North Eu-
rope. 1596.

borea'lis (northern). 1. Yellow. May. 1787.

Canade'nsis (Canadian). . June. 18)2.

cilia'ta (hair-fringed). . May. 1823.

rucemo'sa (racemed). l. Pale yellow. May.

1640.

ramo'sa (branchy). 2. Pale yellow. May.

Siberia. 1820.

stella' ta (starred). . May. 1633.

trifo'lia (three-leaved). . June. 1812.

umbella'ta (uinbelled). f. May. 1778.

SMI'LAX. (From smile, a scraper ;
rough prickly stems. Nat. ord., Sarsa-
parillas [Smilacese]. Linn., 22-Dicecia
6-Hexandria.)

Sarsaparilla is the produce of many species
of Smilax. There are many species, but only
the following require our notice, which have
whitish-green flowers. Suckers from the roots ;
sandy rich loam, and a little peat. They are
evergreen climbers, seldom flowering. One of
the most beautiful is rubens, from the red
colour of its tendrils. The species from China
should have the protection of a cold pit or a
wall.
S. Chi'na (China). 6. China. 1759.

ru'bens (red). 6. July. N.America. 1812.

sagittcefo'lia (arrow-leaved). 14. Sep-

tember. China. 1820.

Sarsapari'lla (Sarsaparilla). 4. July. N.

America. 1664.

Walte'rii (Walter's). Virginia.

Watso'ni (Watson's). 4. July. N. America.

1811.

SNAILS. See /Slugs.



SNA



SOI



SITAIT. FLOWEH. Phaw'nlm cararn'lla

SXAKE GOURD. Trichos(i')if/i,-s.

SXAKE ROOT. Arislolo'chia serpen-
ta'ria.

SNAKE WOOD. Cecro'pia.

SNAPDRAGON. Antirrhi'num and
Sile'ne anlirrhl'na.

SNEKZEYTOTVT. Achilk'a Pta'rmica.

SNOW is one of the gardener's best
shelters, and should never be removed
from his out-door crops. It prevents
heat from radiating from them ; pro-
tects them from freezing, drying blasts,
and, being a bad conductor of heat,
thus prevents its escape from them.
We have never known the surface of
the earth, below a covering of snow,
colder than 32, even when the tem-
perature of the air above has been 28.

SNOWBALL TREE. Vibu'rnum O'pulus.

SNOWBERRY. Chioco'cca.

SNOWDROP. Anc'mone sylve'stris and
Gala' nt hits.

SNOWDROP TREE. Hale' da.

SNOWFLAKE. Leuco'jum.

SOAP-BOILER'S ASHES. See Ashes,

SOAPWORT. Sapona'ria.

SOBRA'LIA. (Named after F. M. So-
bral, a Spanish botanist. Nat. ord.,
Orchids [Orchidacese]. Linn., 20-Gy-
nandria 1-Monandria.}

Stove orchids, grown in pots. See Orchids.
S. deco'ra (comely). Various. July. Gua.
temala. 1836.

dicho'toma (two-ranked). Rose, purple.

March. Peru.

Klia'strum (Lily-flowered). White. July.

Guiana. 1840.

macra'ntha (large-flowered). 6. Crimson.

September. Guatemala. 1842.
_ sple'ndens (splendid). 3, Crim-
son. September. Guatemala. 1846.

se'ssilis (stalkless). Pink. December. Peru.

1840.

viola'cea (violet). Violet, white. July.

Merida.

SOIL. However varying in the pro-
portions, yet every soil is composed of
silica, alumina, Lime, magnesia, oxide
of iron, salts, and animal and vegetable
remains. A fertile soil is one which
contains such a proportion of decom-
posing matter and of moisture as to
keep the crop growing upon it always
supplied with food in a state fit for the
roots to absorb, yet not so superabund-
antly as to render the plants too luxu-
riant, if the object in view is the pro-
duction of seed ; but for the production



of those plants whose foliage is the
part in request, as spinach, or of edible
bulbous roots, as onions, Avhich have u
small expanse of leaves, so as to be
almost entirely dependent upon the soil
for nourishment, there can scarcely be
an excess of decomposed matter pre-
sented to their roots.

A subsoil of gravel, mixed with clay,
is the best, if not abounding in oxide
of iron; for clay alone retains the mois-
ture on the arable surface, in too great
an excess ; and sand or chalk, on the
contrary, carries it away too rapidly. It
is, however, evident, that to insure these
desiderata in any soil, at all seasons, is
impossible ; and it is manifest that a
soil that would do so in one climate
would fail in another, if the mean an-
nual temperature of them should differ,
as well as the amount in inches of rain
which fall during the same period.
Thus, in the western parts of England,
more than twice as much rain occurs
! as in the most eastern counties, or in
the proportion of forty-two to nineteen;
a soil in the east of England, for any
given crop, therefore, may be richer
and more tenacious than the soil re-
quired for it on the western coast.

Alumina (clay) imparts tenacity to a
soil when applied ; silica (sand) dimi-
nishes that power ; whilst chalk and
lime have an intermediate effect. They
render heavy soils more friable, light
soils more retentive. These simple
facts are important; two neighbouring
gardens, by an interchange of soils,
being often rendered fertile, which be-
fore were in the extremes of tenacity
and porosity.

In affording warmth to plants, the
earth is of considerable importance,
and the power of accumulating and
retaining heat varies as much in soils
as the proportions of their constituents.
Sir Humphrey Davy found that a rich
black mould, containing one-fourth of
vegetable matter, had its temperature
increased, in an hour, from 65 to 88
by exposure to the sunshine, whilst a
chalk soil was heated only to 69 under
similar circumstances. But the first,
when removed into the shade, cooled in
half an hour 15 ; whereas the latter
lost only 4t p , This explains why the



SOI



SOL



crops on light- colourful tenacious soils
are in general so much more backward j
in spring, but are retained longer in
verdure, during autumn, than those on
black light soils. The latter attain a i
genial warmth the more readily, but \
part from it with equal speed.