Tity¥; 211 
a highly recommended variety, and will, to his surprise, 
find it will answer the description given, at least, to a 
dozen other varieties of the same species; for that reason 
we have omitted descriptions of very many desirable 
named sorts. 
L. excelsum (testaceum) (Isabellinum) —This is 
a superb Lily, with a mixed history and a variety of 
names. It has been generally supposed to be a hybrid be- 
tween L. candidum and L. chalcedonicum. There is but 
little evidence to support the theory, and it is said to 
have first been seen in a bed of seedlings in Erfurt in 
1846. Dr. Wallace says of it: “It has been thought not 
to have a Japanese origin, because no bulbs of it have 
ever been traced as coming over from the Islands of the 
Western Sea, so productive of new and graceful forms; 
but we have seen, more than once, in Japanese drawings 
executed for us years ago by some of the best artists in 
Yeddo [Tokio], of all the Liles of Japan, forms rep- 
resented bearing a very strong resemblance to Excelsum. 
It is true that among these Lilies there are some most 
wonderful forms and gorgeous pieces of coloring, such © 
as would lead many to disbelieve in the veracity of 
the artist; but, on the other hand, we can point to 
other Lily forms which we know well, depicted therein 
with fair accuracy, while the birds and insects portrayed 
in some numbers, we recognize to have been truthfully 
delineated. Our own conclusion is that, as yet, we have 
scarcely touched the rich treasure of wonderful Lilies 
which Japan will one day send to us.” Whatever may 
have been the origin of Excelsum, how, or where, or 
when it was born, makes but little difference, and does 
not alter the fact that in grace, form, color and fra- 
grance it has but few equals, and no superior in this 
noble family of plants. It is, moreover, of easy culture, 
succeeding best in a loamy soil and in a partially shaded 
situation. It has often been asserted that this Lily had 
