8 INTRODUCTION TO THE TRANSLATION. 



burst almost immediately on immersion and project their granules, this be- 

 ing their process when they adhere to the pistil j should this action not be 

 observed the pollen is either inmature or has already become useless; it 

 ripens however very soon after the valves of the anther open. The offspring 

 of the red and white being generally variegated is too evident to require 

 remark, as also that the largest and brightest coloured flowers whose forms 

 are finely developed should be chosen for this purpose. 



There are besides many other minutiae, and delicate operations in regard 

 to color, form and manipulation which will readily suggest themselves to 

 those who delight in these experiments, but which at present would not be 

 of sufficient interest to detail. 



The study of the foliage, so as to distinguish each variety when out of 

 flower, is of more consequence than may appear at the first glance, and is 

 of much value to aid the judgment in the purchase of plants during that 

 period. 



The beautiful order of Ternstrsemiacese to which the Camellia belong 

 has two representatives indigenous in the Southern States, the Stuartia Vir- 

 ginica, a native of the swamps in the lower counties of Virginia and South 

 Carolina, and the Gordonia lasianthus or loblolly bay which lines the sea 

 coast from Virginia to Florida. Both these plants produce handsome flowers, 

 and although they will not bear comparison with the camellia in its culti- 

 vated state, yet do not fall very far short when contrasted with the single 

 white as it may be imagined in its native wilds, and are extremely interesting, 

 as the resemblance and affinity between them and the camellia is at once 

 striking. They are to be found in some greenhouses in this vicinity, but are 

 rare, and like many other beautiful flowers from the same latitudes are wait- 

 ing patiently until the diffusion and love of horticulture shall introduce them 

 to the admiration of the inhabitants of the north. J. E. T. 



Boston y Nov. 1838. 



