34 ABEL1A UNIFLORA. 



The calyx, or at least its free portion, is also a noticeable feature in this plant. 

 Its tube adheres to the seed-vessel through its whole length, producing what is 

 termed an inferior ovary, which is fluted, and slightly hairy ; and at its base will 

 be observed three small leaf-like bodies termed bracts; the limb or spreading 

 portion consists of two broad wing-like sepals, nerved, and of a reddish-brown 

 colour ; in a few of the flowers they are three or four in number. The fruit is a 

 three-celled dry berry, one of the cells containing only a single seed, the others 

 being polyspermous ; this peculiarity is common, however, to several genera of the 

 Order. In the other species of Abelia it is only the solitary seed which ripens, 

 those of the many-seeded cells being abortive ; but we are unaware whether it is 

 the same in the present plant. 



This pretty shrub is another of the Chinese importations of Messrs. Standish and 

 Noble of Bagshot, to whom it was sent by Mr. Fortune. Some of the specimens 

 at Bagshot have borne exposure three winters uninjured, and it may therefore be 

 looked upon as perfectly hardy ; at all events the question will be speedily settled, 

 for the present rigorous season will subject it to a severe test, and we will endeavour 

 to keep our readers informed of the result. 



Its cultivation is unattended with any difficulty; it thrives in peat and loam, 

 and may be increased by cuttings of the half- ripened wood; like the other Abelias, 

 it is benefitted by occasional ' stopping.' In the open ground it flowers about July. 

 The exact height it will ultimately attain we cannot state, but it will probably not 

 exceed three or four feet. Although so recently introduced, it will shortly be 

 obtainable at a very moderate price, but such plants will be, of course, of somewhat 

 diminutive size. 



Most of our readers are acquainted with the A. floribunda, a Mexican species, 

 with long narrow tubular blossoms of a rosy-crimson, generally cultivated in the 

 greenhouse, where it flowers for some weeks during the spring and summer ; 

 although less hardy than the A. uniflora, it would probably bear our mild 

 winters in dry soils; this species is also known under the name of Yesalia 

 floribunda. 



There are three other species; but only one of these, the A. rupestris, is, Ave believe, 

 yet in cultivation. It is a nearly hardy plant, of weak trailing habit, with pink 

 and white flowers of an agreeable fragrance ; we believe it will be found hardy in 

 the southern countries. 



Of the two remaining species, one, the A. serrata, is said to be nearly related to 

 the A. uniflora, but at present only dried specimens are known in this countiy ; 

 the other, A. triflora, from India, is supposed to be distinct, but our information 

 on this plant is scanty. 



The Abelias are named in honour of Dr. Abel, a physician, who accompanied 

 Lord Amherst on his memorable embassy to China. 



