i873-] RHODODENDRON AUCKLANDIL 281 



The plant referred to was bought by Mr M'Kelvie some years ago, 

 a seedling without name, and he had it planted out into a border in 

 one of his vineries. Since then it has grown apace, and is now a 

 sturdy tree of 5 feet high by 3 wide. It has borne seven clusters of 

 blossoms this spring, and has attracted numerous visitors to admire its 

 beauty since its flowers opened. The single blossoms average 4 inches 

 in diameter, and are of the softest and purest white, texture solid and 

 silky. The base of the interior is dimly marked star-shape in white, 

 the points of which disappear into a zone of delicate green suffused 

 with canary yellow. Its cup at top is divided into five deep rounded 

 segments, that to some extent overlap each other at the point where 

 they unite. The opening is much expanded, but suddenly contracts 

 at the base of the segments, and gradually tapers to a point beneath. 

 The flower is perfection after its kind, so far as form is concerned. 

 These adding to its other property — namely, its delightful fragrance — 

 constitute E. Aucklandii one of Nature's choicest gifts. Anent habit, 

 I think it must be less favourably spoken of, being, irregular in its 

 mode of growth, resembling in this more a Nerium than a Rhodo- 

 dendron. The shoots are produced long and straight, without much 

 conformity to order. The foliage is handsome, of the deepest glossy 

 green, thickly freckled with minute specks of brown, pretty regularly 

 disposed over the entire upper surface, while beneath they are a green 

 of pale delicate hue, prominently overspread by the veins ; in outline 

 the leaves are linear-lanceolate. 



Besides this Rhododendron, Mr M'Kelvie and his gardener, ]\Ir 

 Finlay, have many other plants they have reason to be proud of in the 

 extensive glass structures here. A goodly list of the very cream of 

 Rhododendrons are fostered and cared for, among which we noticed 

 half-a-dozen good plants of Falconerii ; about the same number of 

 Dalhousiana — splendid plants loaded with equally splendid flowers ; 

 the beautiful R. Javancum, showing its deep yellow pips among the 

 rest ; Edgeworthii, another noted white fragrant sort, and others too 

 numerous to mention. Of Camellias, there is a long list planted out 

 in excellent health. Of Ferns, a few Todeas are the most conspicuous 

 in size, health, and number. The Vines in two or three houses are 

 pictures of health, and promise fine fruit. Some of the Peach-houses 

 also promise fair for fruit. 



Amaryllis seem to be a favourite family here, and they are both 



select and well grown. There are at this time about two dozen sorts 



in bloom, some of them scented, others exceedingly fine in quality of 



bloom. A. K. 



[The specimen referred to AA-as magnificent, and is truthfully described by 

 our correspondent ; but at present we will not undertake to settle the dispute. 

 —Ed.] 



