U1I0D0DENDU0N LANATF/M. 119 



part of the stupendous Himalayan range, which here reaches, in the peak of 

 Kinchin-junga, the altitude of 28,000 feet; though the average height above the 

 level of the sea does not, perhaps, exceed 8 or 9,000 feet. 



Here, exposed to the alternate influences of a prolonged tropical summer and the 

 snows of a Himalayan winter, were found the magnificent Rhododendrons, the 

 discovery of which has conferred such well-merited fame on Dr. Joseph Dalton 

 Hooker. This gentleman, whilst employed on a Government Botanical Mission, 

 detected in the Sikkim Himalaya no fewer than thirty-two distinct and undescribed 

 species, of most of which he has published figures in a superb atlas of plates, which 

 must be regarded as a perfect triumph of art, though the price at which it is issued 

 necessarily places it out of the reach of all but the wealthiest patrons of horticultural 

 science. 



With a view to aid in making these beautiful shrubs still more extensively 

 known, we have selected one of the most interesting species, though the It. lanatum 

 has been chosen less for the size of its flowers, which are exceeded in their 

 dimensions by those of several other species, than for their yellow tint, which is, 

 as our readers are aware, uncommon in the genus. Several of the species produce 

 flowers of such magnitude, that a single blossom would require more space than 

 we can afford to the entire figure : those of Dalhousice and Edgeworthii are four 

 or five inches across, and those of Thomsoni are but little less. 



' By whatever standard of floral beauty we judge of them, they rank very high. 

 Every quality which can possibly render plants attractive is combined in them. 

 Beauty of form, richness and diversity of colour and fragrance, are possessed by 

 them individually or collectively ; and in foliage, too, they are equally diversified. 

 Falconeri, a tree thirty feet high, found at an elevation of 10,000 feet, has leaves 

 twelve or eighteen inches long, by six inches wide. Argenteum, growing to a similar 

 height, has leaves equal in size, and with large compact globular heads of pure 

 white flowers. Then there is Ilodgsoni, with noble foliage and aspect, having 

 large ovate heads of pale purple flowers, beautifully and symmetrically arranged. 

 Others contrast widely with these. Setosum, a small and elegant shrub, with 

 flowers resembling a Rlwdora, and evergreen box-like foliage ; and the interesting 

 pumilum and elaagnoides, with delicate blossoms not more than one inch across, 

 will serve as examples. And between these extremes there is a great diversity 

 in the character of the several species, in height, foliage, and flower. The colours 

 of the latter vary from pure white, or with the faintest tinge of rose-colour in 

 Maddeni, Dalhousice, and Edgeworthii — to the richest and deepest crimson, in 

 Thomsoni and fulgens. The latter is especially attractive, from the intensity of 

 colour and polished appearance of its blossoms. The flowers of DaUiousirv are 

 remarkable for their thick leathery texture, and for the length of time they 

 continue in perfection, as well as for their delightful fragrance. For the often- 



