JUNE. 127 



on the upper petal, too much undulated to be of good shape, foliage 

 and habit of growth good. 



Sect. II. White Grounds. 



Variegata and Exquisita are well known, distinct, and most 

 beautiful varieties, which will find place in every collection where 

 Azaleas are cultivated ; both thrive best when grafted on stocks of a 

 more vigorous habit. No. 17 and the two following I have not yet 

 seen in flower, and place them in this section from the figures and 

 account given in the Florist. They will be valuable additions to this 

 division, at present very limited in number. 



Sect. III. Purples. 



In this section Nos. 20 to 24 have more blue in the tint than the 

 four following, in which the tendency is to a redder shade. 20 and 

 21 are very nearly alike, both in habit and flower; both are very 

 large, and very finely marked. 22 is perhaps the largest in flower of 

 any variety extant. I have just been measuring one of its blossoms, 

 and find it full four inches across, which gives a foot for the circum- 

 ference. The flowers of Prince Albert (No. 31) are equal to it in 

 diameter, but are more deeply divided, more star-like ; while those of 

 Conspicua are well filled up, presenting a round disk slightly indented 

 and undulated ; but it does not produce these fine flowers in the 

 luxuriant profusion common to most of the varieties of this beautiful 

 family ; there is seldom more than one at the extremity of the shoots, 

 and from the viscous tenacity of the envelope, they seem unable to 

 burst it, and perish immaturely amidst the young shoots which spring 

 around them ; they also shrivel early at the edges before the rest of the 

 blossom shews symptoms of decline ; but their great size and beauti- 

 ful marking render them worthy of a place in every collection. 23, 

 a blue-lilac variety, similar in hue to the Rhododendron bearing the 

 same name. 24, this is very tall growing, and one of the finest of 

 its colour ; the flowers deeply divided, but very large and abundant. 

 25, habit dense and shrubby, flowers abundant, and of a redder lilac 

 than the two preceding. 26, very like 21 in flower, but of a redder 

 tint. 27, one of the most beautiful of the double varieties, flowers 

 large, profuse, of a rich crimson-purple, and bright lively foliage. 

 28, splendid large lilac. 



Sect. IV. Reds. 



I have adopted the term red as being the most comprehensive ; 

 but, as I have observed, the prevailing tendency in the Azalea is to 

 the scarlet hue. No. 29, Exserta, is one of the exceptions to this 

 remark, being of a deep maroon or mahogany colour. The flower is 

 large, undulated, and though not so lively in hue as the generality, is 

 well worth cultivation as a distinct and striking variety. 30, Tinc- 

 toria, is much lighter in colour, with a dash of crimson in the tint, a 

 fine, round, well-opened flower. 31 is the largest and richest red of 

 any. I have made some remarks on this before. 32 and 33 are 

 very nearly alike, and very fine ; the former is darker in colour, and 



