THE CAMELLIA. 383 



attainment of which artificial fertilisation was directed. 

 In the Transactions of the Royal Horticultural Society, vol. 

 vii., p. 545 (1829), four Camellias are figured, which appear 

 to be all of the Anemone-flowered type. While not wish- 

 ing to disparage these we should judge that they were 

 selected from the botanist's rather than from the florist's 

 point of view. At that date, indeed (1829), the florist had 

 probably paid but little attention to this plant. Later on 

 we find, by the new varieties introduced, that the " double 

 white " was considered the more desirable type of flower ; 

 but even now it would be taking a very narrow view of the 

 value of this plant to exclude the Anemone-flowered kinds. 

 In our judgment the floriculture of the Camellia admits 

 of at least three types, which we shall describe, with the 

 view of guiding the cultivator in the improvement of 

 varieties : 



1. The Imbricated Form of Flower. Example, Double 

 White. The flowers here should be full, and the petals, 

 whether pointed or round, regularly arranged, thick, 

 smooth, and clear in colour. 



2. TJte Anemone-flowered Example, Press' Eclipse. 

 The outer petals here should be large, thick, smooth, and 

 well rounded ; the centre being made up of a series of 

 small thickly-set petals, leaving a broad margin of the 

 outer petals. 



3. The Large-petalled kinds. Example, Conspicua. 

 The petals here should be few, but large, thick, and 

 smooth. 



This is our idea of the three distinct types or strains of 

 flower that are open to development at the hands of the 

 florist. They all belong to C. japonica ; but if he choose 

 to extend the area for improvement he may set up 

 separate ideals for the other species, especially C. re- 

 ticulata and C. Sasanqua, but these do not at present 

 seem to present so fair a field for the exercise of his 

 ingenuity and skill, or to promise so remunerative a re- 

 turn for his labour. 



