88 NAT. ORDER. RANONCULACRE. 



Three varieties of these survived the voyage, and were rapidly pro- 

 pagated and distributed in British collections. Since 1820 many 

 additional varieties have been introduced into this country, with 

 other rare Chinese plants, and among them our present subject. 



Propagation and Culture. The Moutan, or Tree Peony, and its 

 numerous varieties, are much esteemed for the beauty of their 

 flowers. They are quite hardy, but as their blossoms are apt to be 

 injured by the cold blasts of spring, glass frames to answer the size 

 of the plants should be placed over them, under which they will 

 blossom in great perfection. A rich loamy soil suits them best. — 

 Cuttings taken off in August or September, with a part of the wood 

 of the preceding year attached, and planted in a sheltered situation, 

 will root freely. They may be also increased by layers : the shoots, 

 before they are laid down, require to have a longitudinal slit made 

 on the under side ; however, in this way they are longer in emitting 

 roots than the cuttings. The hardy herbaceous species are amongst 

 the most showy of border flowers. They thrive best in a rich 

 loamy soil, and are easily increased by dividing the plants at the 

 roots, taking care to leave the bud to each slip, or by seeds : by the 

 last method many new varieties may be raised. 



Medical Properties and Uses. This plant has never been used 

 extensively as a medicine, but more in former years than at present. 

 Dioscorides celebrates this plant as useful in promoting natural dis- 

 charges, when deficient, and restraining some of them when too 

 abundant. Cullen says, " its sensible qualities, in its recent state, 

 promise some virtues. But these qualities are very inconsiderable, 

 and at the same time very transitory, so that in the powdered root, 

 the form in which it is most frequently employed, I can hardly per- 

 ceive them to exist. In the frequent employment of them, I could 

 never perceive any effect, either in epilepsy or other spasmodic affec- 

 tions." It is now discarded from the Materia Medica. 



