286 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 
color, abruptly broken into many irregular, obtuse points. 
Some florists are of the opinion that the central stripes 
or blotches do not contribute to the beauty and elegance 
of the Tulip, unless confined to narrow stripes exactly 
down the center, and that they should be perfectly free 
from any remains of the breeder or original color. It is 
certain that such appear very beautiful and delicate, 
especially when they have a regular, narrow feathering 
at the edge; but the greatest connoisseurs in this flower 
unanimously agree that it denotes superior merit, when 
the Tulip abounds with rich coloring, distributed in a 
distinct and regular manner throughout the flower, 
except in the bottom of the cup, which, it cannot be dis- 
puted, should be a clear, bright white or yellow, free 
from stain or tinge, in order to constitute a perfect 
flower. : 
These views are from the highest standpoint of the 
florists’ skill and taste; we give them to show the 
thought that has been given the Tulip in the way of 
selection, without, for a moment, departing from our 
original opinion, that the most natural form is the most 
beautiful form. And then, again, are not the florists’ 
forms simply a selection of natural forms, so long as 
they are normal; that is, capable of reproduction by 
nature’s own processes? The Late Flowering, or Show 
Tulips are classified as follows: 
Bybloeemen.—This has white ground, lined, marked, 
striped or variegated with violet or purple, only of vari- 
ous shades, and whether feathered or flamed, is distin- 
guished by the same characters and marks as the Bizarre 
Tulip. 
Bizarre.—Distinguished by yellow grounds, marked 
with purple or scarlet of different shades. It is called 
“‘flamed,” when a broad, irregular stripe runs up the 
middle of the petals, with short, abrupt, projecting 
points branching out on each side; fine narrow lines, 
