MAY. 133 



essential generic character. The outline of the frond in L. dilatata 

 is generally triangular, and the plant altogether forms a beautiful 

 object when seen growing at the roots of old trees in damp shady 

 iiituations. 



L. RECURVA (of some authors, I believe). This is really a 

 splendid monstrosity ; indeed, few Ferns can claim a more attractive 

 appearance ; and may be recognised at first sight by the curled 

 appearance of the pinnules, their less spinulose margins and shorter 

 stripes, than in any of the other forms. It cultivates readily under 

 the same treatment as the others. 



I believe there are recorded several other species (?) in this 

 group ; but as I am not fortunate enough to comprehend to which 

 of the forms their names are applied, I can say but little respecting 

 them ; neither, to my knowledge, have I ever seen them. I hope, 

 however, ere long, that we shall be able to reduce the whole group 

 into something like a generally understood thing, although the diffi- 

 culty at first sight may appear almost insurmountable. I cannot see 

 at present that L. rigida can really be mixed up with the L. spinosa 

 group, as supposed by some. 



Nursery, Foot's Cray, April 1850. Robert Sim. 



ILLUSTRATED WORK ON CAMELLIAS. 



I FEEL confident that I shall confer a great pleasure on all who 

 cultivate or who admire the Camellia, by making known to them, 

 through the Florist, the illustrated work now in the course of pub- 

 lication by Mr. Alexander VerschafFelt of Ghent. As he is con- 

 sidered to be the most extensive cultivator of Camellias on the con- 

 tinent, to him rightly belongs the honour of editing the work it is 

 proposed briefly to notice. 



It is published in monthly issues, each number containing four 

 plates of Camellias, with descriptive letter-press ; twelve numbers 

 forming the yearly half-volume, while twenty-four numbers, or the 

 numbers of two years, constitute the volume. The work will be 

 completed in five volumes ; it being proposed to give plates of 500 

 of the most beautiful, or new, or perfect kinds of Camellias. 



It is scarcely possible, great as is the art of flower-painting in 

 England, for any thing to exceed the style and beauty, and what is 

 of yet greater moment, the truthfulness of the plates. The letter- 

 press is confined to a full description of the flower, the habit of the 

 plant, and its history; as, by whom, the period, and the manner in 

 which the variety was obtained, or raised and introduced. Such a 

 work as this confers vast advantages on those who cultivate, or who 

 may wish to cultivate, the Camellia, inasmuch as it presents to the 

 view all the most beautiful and desirable sorts ; so that the amateur 

 is hereby enabled to make his selection as well as if he were at the 

 trouble and expense of making a personal inspection. As Mr. Ver- 



