6 



which the first resembles our wild Pasque flowers, and the 

 other looks like a Dahlia. 



Of Deutzia three species. 



Rhododendron Wetternichii, an alpine species, from the 

 north of Japan, resembling the R. maximum, but with purple 

 flowers. 



Pawlownia imperialism a tree like a Catalpa, with large 

 panicles of trumpet-shaped purple flowers ; it is called Kiri 

 in Japan, and is one of the most magnificent plants of the 

 country. 



Lilium cordifolium, a curious plant, allied to Wallich's 

 L. giganteum. 



Prunus Mume, a yellow-fruited Plum, used only for pic- 

 kles, like our Cucumbers, and producing many hundred varie- 

 ties ; also employed by the Japanese for dwarfing ; upon which 

 subject is the following curious statement. " The Japanese 

 have an incredible fondness for dwarf trees, and with reference 

 to this the cultivation of the Mume is one of the most general 

 and lucrative employments of the country. Such plants are 

 increased by inarching, and by this means specimens are ob- 

 tained which have the peculiar habit of the Weeping Willow. 

 A nurseryman ofifered me for sale, in the year 1826, a plant 

 in flower, which was scarcely three inches high ; this chef 

 d'csuvre of gardening was grown in a little lacquered box of 

 three tiers, similar to those filled with drugs, which the Ja- 

 panese carry in their belts. In the upper tier was this Mume, 

 in the second row a little Spruce fir, and in the lowest a 

 Bamboo, scarcely an inch and a half high." 



Benthamia japonictty a new species, smaller in all its parts 

 than the old species, and inhabiting the highest mountains 

 of Japan. 



Stachyurus prcecox, a shrub referred by Professor Zucca- 

 rini to Pittosporacege, cultivated by the Japanese for its copious 

 and beautiful early tails of whitish flowers. 



Corylopsis spicata and pauciflora, hazel-like bushes, be- 

 longing to Hamamelacese. 



Boymia rutcecarpa^ a powerful stimulant purgative and 

 sudorific medicine. 



Aralia edulis^ a species with roots having an agreeable 

 aromatic and bitter taste, eaten in the winter like Scorzonera. 



Schizophragma and Platycrater, two new genera, related 

 to Hydrangea, and with the same habit as that genus. 



