this work (Tab. 4668); but whereas the flowers of the 
plant which I saw in Sikkim were of a dull purple colour, 
those of the cultivated ones were of a very pale blue, with 
sometimes a slight tinge of green. It is difficult, if possible, 
to match colours from memory, but I should say the colour 
of the petals in the flowering specimens which I gathered 
were nearer those of M. aculeata (Tab. 5456) than of either 
that of Tab. 4668 or of that now figured. 
With the exception of this difference of colour, I can find 
no character whereby to distinguish this variety from the 
blue-flowered one. From its Western representative, M. 
aculeata, it differs in the larger size, more divided broader 
leaves, more open panicle of larger flowers, and softer hairs. 
It is remarkable that in Royle’s representation of M. 
aculeata (Ill. P]. Himal. t.15), its petals are represented as 
red. From the golden-flowered M. nepalensis (t. 5585), 
which is far the tallest and handsomest of the genus, UM. 
Wallichii differs in size, the smaller flowers, and much 
shorter capsules. sar 2 
M. Wallichii, var. fusco-purpurea, was raised from Sikkim 
seeds by George Wilson, Hsq., F.R.S., who flowered it in 
his choice collection at Wisley Wood in July last, and — 
kindly sent it to me for figuring. —J. D. H. 
Fig. 1, Stamens ; 2, pistil ; 3, section of ovary ; 4, hair :—all enlarged. 
