288 On the herbaceous Pmonies, 



All the above species and varieties have smooth leaves: the 

 foliage of the following kinds is pubescent underneath. 



P. peregrina. — This is a tolerably pretty species, with single, 

 shaded purple, blossoms; the plant has a dwarfish habit, and dis- 

 plays its flowers among the first of the season, on which account 

 it is a desirable species. In perfection from the 1st to the 6th 

 of June. A native of the Levant. 



P. peregrina var. Grevillu. — Similar to the last in its flowers 

 and habit, the former of which are single pale purple, with yel- 

 low stamens. Flowers early, from the 1st to the Sth of June. 



P. peregrina var. compacta. — Densely dwarf and compact in 

 its mode of grov/th, and is interesting, from the small stature of 

 the plant, which produces numerous small, single, pale purple, 

 flowers, at the same time as the last variety. It is ornamental 

 in the border, and although its flowers, like all the single ones, 

 are very fugitive, it is a desirable variety. 



P. paradoxica. — One of the handsomest of the single kinds, 

 blooming early and abundantly, with large, deep purple, flowers 

 and yellow stamens, contrasting elegantly with the color of the 

 petals. It is the first peeony in bloom, opening about the 28th 

 of May, and going out of flower about the Sth or 10th of June. 

 It is a native of the Levant, and is an ornamental species. 



P. paradoxica var. fimbriata. — A very fine double variety, 

 with the petals somewhat jagged, from whence its name, as some- 

 times called, the fringed psony. The flowers are rosy pur- 

 ple, and large; the habit of the plant is nearly the same as its 

 parent. In perfection from the 10th to the 20th of June. For 

 beauty it must be classed with the albiflora var. Whitleji, &c., 

 and cultivated in all gardens where these are grown. 



-P. decora. — Produces large, single, deep crimson flowers: 

 plants under the middle size: in bloom early, from the 1st to the 

 Sth of June. 



P. decora var. Pallasu. — In habit and character similar to 

 the decora: the flowers are single, of a deep bright purple, with 

 small yellow stamens. In bloom from the 2d to the Sth of June. 

 A pretty variety. 



P. decora var. elatior. — Like the last in almost every respect, 

 both as regards its habit, time of flowering, and size and color 

 of the blossoms. 



P. arietina. — With single, pale purple, flowers, produced from 

 the 1st to the Sth of June; plant middle sized. Not very at- 

 tractive. 



P. arietina var. oxoniensis (?) — Another of the family, with 

 large, single, pale rosy, flowers, and bright yellow stamens; one 

 of the earliest in bloom, opening about the close of May. Tol- 

 erably pretty. 



P. humilis. — With handsome, rich rosy purple, flowers, of a 



