Rheum. 1 79 



being deeply cut into lobes. It is scarcely so ornamental 

 or imposing as the fuller-leaved kinds, but is an inter- 

 esting plant. I have seen it grown in some Irish gardens 

 for culinary purposes, but do not remember to have 

 noticed it in English kitchen-gardens. When well grown 

 in deep and rather light and well-drained earth, the 

 flowering-stem of this species attains a height of about 

 nine feet. It is a native of Tartary, and well deserves a 

 place. Rheum Ribes is a somewhat delicate species, a 

 native of Southern Persia, which may be seen in one or 

 two of our botanic gardens, and more frequently in those 

 of France ; but we fear it is not hardy enough to thrive 

 well in these islands. The most remarkable known 

 species is the Himalayan (R. nobile), which has its flower- 

 stems beautifully clothed with large straw-coloured and 

 pink-edged bracts, so as to form what may be termed a 

 pyramid of leaves ; but, as this species is not in cultiva- 

 tion, we need not describe it further. It would prove a 

 very welcome addition to our collection of hardy plants. 

 The common rhubarbs are said by some of our au- 

 thorities to have chiefly sprung from Rheum Rhaponti- 

 cum^ and some of them have also come from the wavy- 

 leaved Rheum (R. undulatum). In any case, some of the 

 garden varieties of rhubarb are worth planting for orna- 

 mental purposes. They have been so planted in Hyde 

 Park, but in masses not the proper way to employ them. 

 Kinds deserving of notice are R. australe, R. compactum, 

 R. rugosum, R. hybridum, Victoria rhubarb (a garden 

 variety, with very large leaves and long red stalks), 

 Hyatt's Linnaeus, and Prince Albert (also garden vari- 

 eties, and splendid ornamental plants). Mr. Shirlev 



