378 THE CAMELLIA. 



the Natural Order Ternstromiaceae (Theads), between the 

 genera Pyrenaria, Blum, and Thea, Linn. It is there 

 remarked " The different species and varieties of Camellia 

 japonica are the glory of gardeners." In the Linnaean 

 system it belongs to the class and order Monadelphia 

 Polyandria. The genus is thus described in Don's General 

 System of Gardening and Botany : " Calyx imbricate, 

 surrounded by accessory bracteas or sepals. Stamens 

 monadelphous. Anthers elliptical, two-celled, bursting 

 lengthwise. Capsule furrowed, with a dessepiment in the 

 middle of each valve, separating from the free triquetrous 

 axis when ripe ; cells I two seeded. Elegant evergreen 

 trees and shrubs, with coriaceous dark green shining leaves, 

 and large flowers resembling the Rose, of various hues." 

 In this work, published in 1831, the number of species 

 given is eight ; of varieties introduced from China, twenty- 

 six ; and of seedling varieties raised in the gardens of 

 Britain, fourteen. 



In Paxton's Botanical Dictionary (edition 1849) seven 

 species only are enumerated and thus described : 



1. C. euryoides. A greenhouse evergreen shrub, native 

 of China, producing white flowers in May. Introduced in 

 1824. 



2. C. hybrida. A greenhouse evergreen shrub, from 

 Liege. 



3. C. japonica. A greenhouse evergreen shrub, native of 

 China, producing red flowers in May. Introduced in 1739. 



4. C. Kissi. A greenhouse evergreen shrub, native of 

 China, producing white flowers in May. Introduced in 

 1823. 



5. C. oleifera. A greenhouse evergreen shrub, native 

 of China, producing white flowers in May. Introduced in 

 1819. 



6. C. reticulata. A greenhouse evergreen shrub, native 

 of China, producing red flowers in April. Introduced in 

 1824. 



7. C. Sasanqua. A greenhouse evergreen shrub, native 



