152 NEW PLANTS, ETC., 



bodies with a wing on each side, a minute superior four-toothed 

 calyx, and a pair of short-spreading stigmas (Fig. 4) ; as the 

 most remarkable genus found by Mr. Fortune during his Chinese 

 expedition, it is proposed to give it the name of its indefatigable 

 discoverer. 



Whether or not it will be hardy is uncertain ; at present the 

 seedlings have been kept in the greenhouse ; but the climate of 

 the Chusan Hills and Ningpo leads to the hope that it may prove 

 an arboretum plant, at least in the South of England. 



26. Azalea obtusa.* 



Sent to the Garden by Mr. R. Fortune, July 26, 1844, as 

 an Azalea, from Shangliai, with fine deep red flowers. 



This charming shrub may be regarded as the gayest of all the 

 red Chinese Azaleas in cultivation. It is a little bush, with very 

 blunt leaves, both smaller and narrower in proportion than we 

 find upon the species already in our gardens,, and also smaller 

 flowers, of the most glowing red. The latter have uniformly 

 5 stamens only, the characteristic mark of the genus Azalea, 

 and thus seem to show that the additional number hitherto re- 

 marked in the Chinese species is a mere result of cultivation. 

 The segments of the corolla are nearly oval and sharp-pointed ; 

 the upper one is not much smaller than the others, and is faintly 

 blotched with purple. 



Its high northern latitude would seem to indicate that this 

 plant may be hardy, but it has hitherto been treated as a green- 

 house shrub. 



It will doubtless prove to be very useful, in consequence of its 

 being a free flowerer, and of a dwarf habit. 



Feb. 28, 1846. 



27. Azalea SQUAMATA.f 



From the mountains of Hong Kong, whence it was sent 

 by Mr. Fortune, as a fine and distinct species. 



With the habit common to all the Chinese Azaleas this 

 presents the following peculiarities : — In its natural state it blooms 



* A obtusa ; foliis pilosis oblongis obtusis cum mucronulo basi angustatis, 

 floribus solitariis pentaudris, sepalis patulis triangularibus villosis, corolla; 

 laciniis acutis baud imbricantibus J. L. 



t A. squamata ; foliis junioribus ferrugineo-pilosis vetustis ovalibus acutis 

 subcoriaceis breviter petiolatis calvis nunc basi angustatis, floribus 8-10- 

 andris solitariis ante folia e squamis numerosis ferrugineis imbricatis pilosis 

 erumpentibus, pedunculo squamarura longitudine villoso, calyce obsoleto 

 5-dentato, corollse breviter campanulatae petalis obtusis quinto multo minore. 

 — J. L. 



