AND THEIR CULTUEE. 149 



Tametomo, Zucc., and Spae. (eximium, Horfc. olim ; Broussariii, 

 Morren, Mem. Acad. Roy. Brux., Feb., 1834, with figure ; Vestale, 

 Masters, loc. cit.), is a variety which has white flowers without dots. 



Tepjjo y Krcetzeri, Ducharcre, has white very symmetrical flowers, 

 ISblae segments of which are marked with streaks of green on the 

 outside, with green mid-ribs and green star shaped eye in centre of 

 flower, and green stems. 



A mat-ive of Japan, long known through Ksempfer's drawing 

 published by Sir Joseph Banks, but not introduced to Europe till 

 1832. As every one knows, it varies greatly in the size and colouring 

 of the flower, but it is a most distinct plant, with no close affinity 

 except to Auratum. Unfortunately it was first sent out into cultiva- 

 tion under a wrong name, Land folium* and a name when once put 

 into garden circulation, even when entirely erroneous, is very difficult 

 to get changed. Let me beg of all my horticultural readers who 

 have not done so already, to call this commonest and best known of 

 the Japanese Lilies, in their catalogues and on their labels, by its 

 correct name of " Speciosum." 



Confer the following extract from the Gardeners' Chronicle : 



Some time since Mr. Barr submitted to us a considerable number of specimens of 

 'JSpeciosum, with a view to getting their nomenclature definitely settled. This was no 

 easy or satisfactory task, the degree of variation is considerable, the intermediate stages 

 between one form and another numerous. To begin with, then, there are no absolute 

 limits laid down by Nature herself, and any that may be made, are therefore arbitrary 

 and liable to exception. Next, we have not sufficient evidence as to the constancy of 

 particular forms. What security have we that the bulb, which this season produces 

 flowers of any particular colour and form, will in the forthcoming season produce the 

 same, especially if grown under different conditions. Again, there is the difficulty that 

 with one or two exceptions, the varieties have not been authoritatively named. Neither 

 Duchartre nor Baker have attempted to characterise the varieties of this species. What 

 one grower calls lioseum, another calls Rubrum, and who shall decide which is correct ? 



It may be well then to state the method adopted in the following attempt to come to 

 some conclusion that may be serviceable to cultivators. 



In the first place, we studied the specimens individually, one by one, so as to become 

 acquainted with their prominent characteristics ; next, the several ^specimens were 

 compared with each other, in order to see which marks were peculiar, which were general. 

 This done, the next step was to look into the literature of the subject, and especially to 

 compare the coloured figures that have been given, and to endeavour to ascertain whether 

 an) 7 of the specimens before us conformed to the description or figure, and if so, to follow 

 the botanist's rule of taking the oldest or first imposed name as the correct one, unless 

 there be some special reason for deviating from the "laAv of priority." 



All this demanded a considerable outlay of time and labour, and involved an amount 

 of "detail" of which we do not think the cultivator would thank us to lay before him 

 more than is absolutely essential for his purpose. 



In brief, then, there is much variation in the colour of die stem, foliage, and par- 

 ticularly of the flower ; there is a good deal of variation in habit, and in the form of 

 the leaf. There are also great differences in size and vigour, but these latter we may pass 

 over as probably accidental. It may save time to put the results of our examination of 

 Mr. Barr's specimens into a tabular form, thus : 



LILIUM SFECIOSUM, Thun. (var. HOKTEXSES). 

 A. Stems fasciated. 



,, brownish ... ... ... FASCIATUM RUBPOJM. 



,, green FASCIATUM ALBUM. 



* The true Lancifolium (Thunb.) is a miniature form of Thuiibergianum. 



