FROM a scorpion grass to a forget-me-not is in words a strange transition, but the differing names represent one and the same thing. A myosotis is a mouse's ear, which is but a poor similitude for such a pretty plant as the one before us. As for the name suggestive of its use against a venomous creature, it may interest the reader to learn that so-called scorpion plants were abundant in old times, and their appearance in such books as Turner's Herbal tells a tale of some importance. It illustrates the fact that our early writers followed the lead of continental botanists in a slavish manner, and as in the south of Europe plants that twist in the way of a scorpion were supposed to be specifics against the bite of the creature, so the English writers provided plants for the same purpose, in apparent ignorance of the fact that in England there were no scorpions. The story of the knight who was drowned in obtaining a tuft of forget-me-not for his lady love is a modern affair, and, therefore, not true. Were it but very old, it would be better entitled to credence, for age improves a fantastic tale more surely than it improves wine, and we can easily believe anything that belongs to the dark ages. But the story has its uses for the amateur gardener, because it takes him to the brook-side, where the true forget-me-not (Myosotis palustris) will be found with its feet in the water, and probably having for a companion another blue flower, the brooklime (Veronica beccabunga).

Thus we obtain through romance a key to the cultivation of forget-me-nots. One species, Myosotis rupicola, which we shall note again as M. alpestris, loves rocks and stones, and will thrive in a comparatively dry position, but all the rest require a moist soil, and will generally look happy in borders near a stream or in damp situations that many rock plants would not thrive in. Our native species, referred to above, although when growing wild a constant searcher for water, may be well grown in an ordinary border if accommodated with a moist rather than a dry position. It is a good subject for surfacing the ground under shrubs and amongst ferns in a moist spot, for its leafage is neat and its flowers are beautiful: it is from these the jewellers take their model when working up turquoises in rings and other such work. The yellow centre is a distinctive mark of our common forget-me-not, and suits at once the taste of the artificer and the customer, for by this mark is the flower known to all the world. The yellow centre is not wanting in other species, but in this it is conspicuous, and combined with a peculiar tone of light starchy blue; it is

"The blue and bright-eyed floweret of the brook,

Hope's gentle gem! the sweet forget-me-not."

The British species of mysotis are eight in number, and all are called "scorpion grasses" because of the twist of the flower-stem, which is supposed to resemble a scorpion's tail. Amongst our native species, the best for the garden is M. alpestris, referred to above, a real mountaineer, found in plenty on some high limestone ranges in the north; it produces flowers that come near to those of M. palustris. This alpine plant is well adapted for the rockery, but must have a deep bed of gritty soil, which may be improved for the purpose by an admixture of some proportion of calcareous matter. Its large head of bright blue flowers is occasionally sweet-scented.

Very near the last is the woodland species, M. sylvatica, which is rare as a wild plant, but one of the best known in gardens, for it is a favourite as a bedding plant, and extensively grown in such noted gardens as those of Cliveden and Belvoir Castle. It is not so partial to moisture as palustris, but requires a deep soil, and will thrive either in sun or shade. There are white, rose, and striped varieties.

Perhaps the most useful of all in the gardens is the early flowering M. dissitiflora, which produces large sky-blue flowers, which sometimes pass into rosy red or pure white. This requires a moist soil, and is of great service for spring bedding.

The most distinct, but not the most useful, because it is somewhat tender, is the Azorian forget-me-not (M. Azorica), which produces flowers of the deepest blue, with an almost infinitesimal eye. A sandy soil in either sun or shade will suit this beauty, of which there is a splendid variety named Imperatrice Elizabeth.