88 FLORA HISTORICA. 



ticular process of culture, by which the common 

 herbaceous Paeony has been converted into this 

 magnificent shrub, which is said to reach the 

 height of eight or ten feet in the province of Lo- 

 yang, where the soil and climate seems particu- 

 larly favourable to the growth of this plant. 



Some of the Chinese authors tell us, and per- 

 haps with more correctness, that the Moutan was 

 first discovered growing among the mountains in 

 Northern China, whence it was brought into the 

 southern provinces, and there cultivated with the 

 same mania as Tulips have been in Europe, 

 since we are told that some choice varieties of 

 the Moutan have been sold in China for a hun- 

 dred ounces of gold. It is propagated in China 

 principally by seed, and by w^hich process such 

 numerous kinds have been raised, that they now 

 enumerate no less than two hundred and forty 

 species as they call them, some of which are 

 said to be of delightful fragrance. 



The Tree Pseony sold for high prices when 

 first it got into the hands of the nurserymen in 

 the vicinity of London, but it is already become 

 moderate in price, since it proves of so easy a 

 cultivation and of a much hardier nature than 

 w^as at first expected. 



When these plants were first known in France, 



