AND THEIR CULTURE. 149 



Tamdonio, Zucc, and Spae. (eximium, Horfc. olim ; Bronssartii, 

 MoiTen, Mem. Acad. Roy. Brux., Feb., 1834, with figure; Vestalc, 

 Masters^ loc. cit.), is a variety which has white flowers' without dots. 



Teppo, Kroitzeri, Duchartre, has white very symmetrical flowers, 

 the segments of which are marked with streaks of green on the 

 outside, with green mid-ribs and gTeen star shaped eye in centre of 

 flower, and green stems. 



A native of Japan, long known through Ktempfer's drawing 

 published by Sir Joseph Banks, but not introduced to Europe till 

 1832. As every one knows, it varies greatly in the size and colouring 

 of the flower, but it is a most distinct plant, with no close aflinity 

 except to Aiiratum. Unfortunately it was first sent out into cultiva- 

 tion under a wrong name, Laacifoliuni* and a name when once put 

 into garden circulation, even when entirely erroneous, is very diflicult 

 to get changed. Let mc beg of all my horticultural readers who 

 have not done so already, to call this commonest and best known of 

 the Japanese Lilies, in their catalogues and on their labels, by its 

 correct name of " Speciosum." 



Confer the following extract from the Gardeners' Chronicle : — 



Some time since ilr. Barr submitted to us a considerable number of specimens of 

 Spcciosian, with a view to getting their nomenclature definitely settled. This was no 

 easy or satisfactory task, the degree of variation is considerable, the intemiediate stages 

 between one form and another numerous. To begin with, then, there are no absolute 

 limits laid down by Xature herself, and any that may be made, are therefore arbitrary 

 and liable to exception. Next, we have not sutticient evidence as to the constancy of 

 particular forms. What securitj' have we that the bulb, which this season produces 

 flowers of any particular colour and form, will in the forthcoming season produce the 

 same, especially if grown under different conditions. -Again, there is the difficulty that 

 with one or two exceptions, the varieties have not been authoritativel}' named. Neither 

 Duchartre nor Baker have attempted to characterise the varieties of this species. What 

 one grower calls Roscuui, another calls Uuhruui, and who shall decide which is correct ? 



It may be well then to state the method adopted in the following attempt to come to 

 some conclusion that may be serviceable to cultivators. 



In the first place, we studied the .s])ecimens individually, one by one, so as to become 

 acipiainted with their prominent characteristics ; next, the several specimens were 

 compared with each other, in order to see which marks were peculiar, which were general. 

 This done, the next step was to look into the literature of the subject, and especially to 

 compare the coloured figures that have been given, and to endeavour to ascertain whether 

 any of the specimens before us conformed to the description or figure, and if so, to follow 

 the botanist's rule of taking the oldest or first imposed name as the correct one, unless 

 there be some special reason for deviating from the "law of priority." 



All this demanded a consideralile outlay of time and labour, and involved an amount 

 of "detail" of which we do, not think the cultivator would thank us to lay before him 

 more than is al)solutely essential for his purpose. 



In brief, then, there is mucli variation in the colour of che stem, foliage, and par- 

 ticularly of the flower ; there is a good deal of variation in habit, and in the form of 

 the leaf. There are also great differences in size and vigour, but these latter we may pass 

 over as probably accidental. It may save time to put the results of our examination of 

 ^Ir. Barr's specimens into a tabular form, thus : — 



LiLiUM SrECiosuM, Tlutn. (car. Hortenses). 

 A. Stems fasciated. 



,, browni-sh FAsriATUM r.unr.uji. 



,, green fasciatum alb'JM. 



•* The true Lancifolium (Thunb.) is a miniature form of Thunlergianum. 



