PEONY. 77 



*' Tliere are several rare and well scented flowers 

 which grow in these parts, that arc unknown to 

 those of Europe. 



*' In the province of Suchue (Suchew), near to 

 Chungking (Chongking,) grow certain flowers called 

 Meufamj (Moutan), in high esteem amongst them, 

 and therefore called the Kinc: of Flowers. It differs 

 very little in fashion from the European Rose, but 

 is much larger, and spreads its leaves further abroad : 

 it far surpasses the Rose in beauty, but falls short 

 in richness of scent : it has no thorns or prickles, 

 is generally of a white colour, mingled with a little 

 purple ; yet there are some that are yellow and 

 red. This flower grows upon a bush, and is care- 

 fully cherished and planted in all gardens belonging 

 to the grandees, for one of the most choice flowers.'* 

 —Page 250. 



Even after this description of the plant it re- 

 mained unknown to Europe, until the late Sir 

 Joseph Banks, whose mind had expanded itself 

 beyond that of men in general, by travel and the 

 study of nature, ever alive to benefiting the world 

 by scattering its blessings and its beauties over the 

 remotest quarters of the globe, gave instructions to 

 several merchants trading to Canton, to inquire for 

 the Moutan, the name by which the Peony is 

 known in China : in consequence of these applica- 

 tions, numerous specimens were sent to this country 



