Mimulus moschatus.

HE homely name of this very homely plant needs no explanation, but there appears to be a paltry question to be asked and answered in respect of the peculiar and, to a majority of noses, delicious odour it emits. This musky, or "Muscovy," essence is variously produced among plants by this mimulus, by the musk stork's-bill (Erodium moschatus), by the musk orchis (Herminium monorchis), and by the musk thistle (Carduus nutans). And, again, it is produced amongst animals by a rat, a deer, an ox, and perhaps by some other creatures. The question will occur, Is it in each case the same substance? Can the chemist detect any difference in the constitution of the musk from the plant and the musk from the animal? Or is our identification a delusion, and does the nose lead us astray in making things that are different appear to be the same? Whether the fragrant essence has ever been obtained from the plant in a separated form we do not know; but we

cannot suppose there would be any difficulty in separating it were it needed, for fatty matters readily take up the most delicate and evanescent odours of flowers.

Although the common musk is to be found in every garden, its proper home seems to be the cottage window; and assuredly the cottagers appear to know best how to grow it, if we may judge by the huge buxom plants that we meet with in exhibitions of. window flowers. The two important points in the growing of musk are to put the plants into fresh rich soil as soon as they begin to grow in spring, and to give them abundance of water. Having had occasion to grow a few large plants of musk at times, we have proceeded as follows:-A certain number of pots containing last year's plants are shaken out as soon as they begin to sprout in spring, and are potted in large pots only half filled with a mixture of equal parts of rotten hot-bed manure and fresh turfy loam. As the plants grow, fresh soil is added, until the pots are filled to within an inch of the rim, and then the pots are stood in pans containing always about one inch depth of water. A greenhouse or frame is the best place for them while making their early growth, and they must have abundance of light and air; but when the glowing summer has set in they may be anywhere out of doors, but should be in a sheltered nook, because a strong wind or the wagging of a dog's tail may seriously injure the frail growth, and spoil the plants for the season. A certain amount of support, in the way of neat stakes, must be provided, and the plants should be carefully trained; but they should never be trained out in a flat form, unless there is a special reason for it—a round bush-form being more natural and pleasing.

A very pleasing surprise was afforded to the horticultural

public a few years since by Messrs. Harrison, of Leicester. Not many of the ambitious florists thought the common musk worthy or capable of improvement; but one fine morning the habitués of the floral gatherings at South Kensington were confronted with a batch of several dozen plants of a new and fine variety of this humble plant, and this, which was called "Harrison's Musk," soon acquired immense popularity, and in one respect attained to a position which we will venture to speak of as unique. Mr. Cannell, the florist, of Swanley, in Kent, advertised that all plants ordered of him would be sent to the customers packed in Harrison's musk! Imagine Mr. Streeter advertising that diamonds and rubies ordered of him would be sent home packed in gold dust! And yet, in its way, this was somewhat of a parallel case.

Harrison's musk is a replica of the common musk, but on a very large scale. It is the evident result of a cross between the common musk and a larger growing mimulus, such as M. luteus. It is as hardy as the older plant, more robust in every way, and very much more showy, while, fortunately, it is richly scented.

These two varieties of musk are not only useful as pot plants and to fill odd places in borders, but they may be advantageously employed as bedding plants under some circumstances. When it is desired to place a bed of musk in a conspicuous position, it may be enriched by planting some more attractive flowers with it to which the musk will form a groundwork. Such plants as gladioli, liliums, and the scarlet linum may, with advantage, be planted in beds of musk, which will form a rich surface like golden moss beneath their gay flowers, and make amends for their comparative poverty of leafage. We often see a