This magnificent shrub is a native of the Nepal mountains, 

 and was introduced into this coimtry in 1817. In the Flora 

 Exotica it is said to have been first discovered by Captain 

 Hardwicke on a tour to Sireenagur in 1796, growing in the 

 mountainous tract called the Sewallc Chain, which separates 

 the plains of Hindostan from the Hinnnaleh mountains : it is 

 called by the natives the Boorans. Its wood is used for 

 making stocks of matchlocks, or conniion muskets of Hindo- 

 stan. 



This species, upon its first introduction, was treated as a 

 hothouse plant ; but is now fully proved to bear the severity 

 of our winters. Sir James Edward Smith, P.L.S., has a spe- 

 cimen in his garden which has stood in the open ground four 

 years ; and it has been of late treated as a hardy tree in many 

 collections. 



Placed alone upon a lawn, this shrub will appear to great 

 advantage ; or mixed with the purple and pink hues of the 

 various American species of this genus, its deep crimson blos- 

 soms will appear with additional splendour. Beautiful as this 

 shrub is, it was rarely to be met with until within these few 

 years ; but as it is now more generally dispersed, and as it 

 flowers early in the summer, there is reason to expect that the 

 seeds may be perfected in this country, though probably it 

 may be propagated by layers, like the other species of Rho- 

 dodendron. We have to acknowledge the kindness received, 

 in being allowed the use of the specimen from which the 

 accompanying delineation was copied. This specimen was the 

 first that flowered in the open ground in this country : it was 

 presented by Mrs. Beaumont of Bretton Hall, Yorkshire, to 

 the Linnean Society, and exhibited at their meeting on Tues- 

 day, June 7, 1825. Thanks are also due for the assistance 

 rendered by Mr. Don, Librarian of the Linnean Society, in 

 obtaining this delineation, from whose Prodrovms Flora; Ne- 

 palensis the specific characters of this plant are quoted; in 

 which work this shrub is fully described under the natural 

 order EricecB. 



REFERENCE TO THE PLATE. 



Pistil: showing the germ, style, and stigma. 



