MONODELPHIA POLYANDRIA. Threads united. Many Chives.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Calyx imbricatus, polyphyllus; foliolis interioribus majoribus.
Empalement tiled, many leaved; the inner leaves the largest.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER OF VARIETY.
Camellia foliis brevioribus, latioribus; floribus plenis, variegatis.
Camellia with shorter and broader leaves; flowers double and striped.
In hopes that the subject will plead our excuse, in thus again, obtruding a kind of nonentity, in reference to the sexual system, on our scientific friends; and that a figure, of so rare, and beautiful a plant, would be agreeable to all; we have, once more, put by the etiquette of science, for the charms of beauty; yet for this deviation, we think an apology necessary, as it is undoubtedly not conformable to the plan of our undertaking.
This variety of the Camellia Japonica, is of the same date in our gardens, as the double white, and was introduced through the same medium. As yet this plant is found in but very few collections, and is sold at a very high price; not being of free growth, few cuttings, or grafts can be obtained. It has hitherto, been treated as a hothouse plant; but there is no doubt it is equally hardy with the common sort, upon which, all the plants we have as yet seen, and indeed those that were first imported from China, were grafted; an instance in proof, that horticulture must have, there, attained to a considerable degree of perfection, in the operative part: as well as, that possessing double flowering varieties, of their most beautiful plants, which are only produced by a series of cultivation, for ages; incontestably proves the antiquity of the art, (if any fresh proofs were necessary,) in that country. Our figure was made from a drawing taken partly, from a plant which flowered in August last year, in the collection of J. Hibbert, Esq. Clapham; and partly from one now (April) in full bloom, in the conservatory of R. H. James, Esq. Grosvenor-Place; the only ones we have as yet seen in flower; wherefore the time of flowering cannot as yet be fixed.[Pg 369]
PLATE 91