72 LAPAGEKIA ROSEA. 



The leaves of scalra are remarkable for their roughness, and under the microscope 

 this is seen to be owing to hairs of a stellate form, which are supported upon a 

 short stem, the whole presenting a mush-room like appearance. According to the 

 Dutch Botanist Ksempfer, the wood of this species is much prized by the Japanese 

 cabinet-makers for making pegs of the finest quality, it being very hard and tough. 

 And if, gentle reader, you may chance to be of the fair sex, it will perhaps interest 

 you to know, that when Orange blossoms are scarce, the flowers of the same species 

 may be employed as a substitute in the formation of the Bridal wreath — a hint for 

 which we expect nothing less than a pair of white gloves. 



To complete our sketch of these interesting shrubs, we have only to add, first, that 

 gracilis, and most of the species are natives of Japan and China ; corymbosa and 

 staminea are from the Hiinalayah ; secondly, that the not very euphonious generio 

 appellation was conferred in honor of a Dutch patron of Botany, John Deutz, of 

 Amsterdam. 



LAPAGERIA ROSEA. 



Hose-coloured Lapageria. 

 Linnean Class — Hexandria. Order — Monogynia, Natural Order — Smilaceje. 



In presenting our readers with a figure of this princely member of the vegetable 

 kingdom, we must accompany it with an expression of regret, that its rarity and 

 consequent high price will probably for some little time confine it to the collection 

 of the wealthy amateur. If, however, it be true, as is sometimes held, that the 

 pleasures of anticipation are scarcely inferior to those of fruition, we run no risk of 

 incurring the reproach of prematurely embellishing our pages with a faint reflection 

 of this beautiful plant ; it will at least originate a hope, and give a definite form 

 and character to those imaginings which the description of new accessions to our 

 garden treasures is so calculated to excite. 



The first question which will naturally occur to every one with regard to this 

 gem, will be, ' Is it hardy ? ' and on this point our information, as far as it goes, 

 is, we think, satisfactory ; though, as may be supposed, there is at present an 

 indisposition to risk so valuable a plant in those experiments which can alone decide 

 its hardiness. Messrs. Veitch and Son of Exeter, who were amongst the earliest 

 importers of the Lapageria, have had a plant exposed two winters without any 

 other protection than that afforded by a north-west wall, and in spite of the severity 



