98 NOTES ON NEW OR RARE PLANTS. 



whence it reached England in 1795. It was then sold at a very liigh 

 price by the London nurserymen. Like the Roses of China, the 

 Chrysanthemum soon escaped from tlie confinement of conservatories, 

 and rapidly spread through every part of tliis country, displaying its 

 beauty alike in the parterre of the opulent and the window of the 

 cottager. 



Some of tlie kinds have very aromatic foliage, as well as floM'ers of 

 a similar odour, shedding a very agreeable perfume. Tlie great diver- 

 sity, too, in the form of the flower adds to their beauty. Some have 

 strap-shaped petals, others quilled, spoon-shaped, tasselled, &c. ; some 

 flowers are flat, others conical, globular, &c. : and much diversity is 

 now apparent in tlie size of the flowers and habit of the plant. Much 

 attention has been paid during the last ten years to the raising of seed- 

 lings ; and by proper attention in hybridizing the best-formed varieties 

 a vast improvement has been effected, and each successive season addi- 

 tional beauties have appeared. 



The nurserymen and florists of France, Belgium, and Germany liave 

 recently paid particular attention to the improvement of this flower ; 

 and M. Lebois, a florist, has been the successful raiser of the very 

 beautiful and interesting varieties which we figure in full size in our 

 present plate. They merit a place in every conservatory, greenhouse, 

 sitting-room, or flower garden. Being of a dwarf liabit, they occupy 

 little space ; and blooming profusely, are charming ornaments. 



The Chrysanthemums are highly valuable autumn and early winter 

 flowers ; and in the language of flowers they signify, " Do not leave 

 me ;" and this meaning is more significant than many things expressed 

 by floral symbols, as they are the latest blossoms of the year. On this 

 account, too, it may properly be presented as the symbol of cheerftdness 

 under adversity — a blessing which is not possessed by all when in 

 adverse circumstances, yet it is even more desirable than to find plants 

 that reserve their beauties to enliven the months so adverse to the reign 

 of Flora. 



NOTES ON NEW OR RARE PLANTS. 



Adamia versicolor. — The Changeable Adamia. 



Is belonging to the natural order of Hydrangeads. A native of China, 

 wliicli was introduced into this country bj'^ the Horticultural Society, 

 through Mr. Fortune, in 1846. He found it in Hong Kong, growing 

 in ravines about half way up the granitic mountains of that island. It 

 is considered to be a greeiihouse bushy shrub, having the liabit of the 

 Hydrangea. Tlie flowers are produced in large pyramidal -shaped 

 terminal panicles. Flowers in six or seven parts with about twenty 

 stamens. Each blossom is about three-quarters of an inch across. 

 When in bud they are white ; more ad\anced it becomes a violet and 

 ultramarine colour ; and when fully expanded a rich blue. The 

 contras-ted colours produce a very pretty effect. In order to cultivate 

 it successfully, it is stated in '• Paxton's Flower Garden " that it re- 

 quires the climate of the open air in Devonshire during its season of 



