Ericacece Rhododendron. 283 



In addition to the above hardy or almost hardy species there 

 are many others of more recent introduction, generally termed 

 Sikkim Rhododendrons, which are even more strikingly beau- 

 tiful both in foliage and inflorescence ; but unfortunately they 

 are tender, requiring protection in ordinary winters. Another 

 objection to planting them in the open ground is the early 

 flowering season of most of the species, and consequent greater 

 liability to injury from frost. Some of these species have 

 tubular corollas with a rotate limb, while others have them 

 broadly expanded and of immense size, more resembling those 

 of a Camellia. Though these are more suitable for the tempe- 

 rate house, we cannot omit to notice some of the better known 

 species. 



Rh. Windsori, a small shrub from Bootan, where it grows 

 up to an elevation of 8,000 to 9,000 feet. Leaves coriaceous, 

 obovate-lanceolate. Flowers from a deep purple to nearly 

 white. Rh. Gampbellioe, a tree from 30 to 35 feet high in 

 its native country, the Sikkim Himalayas. It is very near Rh. 

 arboreum, differing in its more coriaceous leaves, which are 

 cordate at the base and rusty beneath. The crimson spotted 

 flowers are in dense clusters. Rh. argenteum, a tree of 

 about the same dimensions as the last, with noble foliage a foot 

 or more in length, silvery beneath. The campanulate flowers 

 are very large, rose or white with a purple blotch at the base. 

 Rh. Falconeri : this species is even finer than the last, if we 

 only consider its large shining leaves, which rival those of the 

 Magnolia grandifldva ; but its white flowers are comparatively 

 small. Rh. Hodgsoni, a shrub of about half the stature of 

 the preceding, but with equally large glabrous leaves. The 

 campanulate nearly regular rose-coloured flowers are united in 

 clusters of fifteen to twenty, and have eight rounded lobes and 

 about sixteen stamens. ^-Rh. Nuttdllii, a noble tree attaining 

 a height of about 25 feet, with large coriaceous oval leaves 

 shining and glabrous above and covered with brown scales 

 beneath. But what renders this species remarkable is the 

 enormous size of its gorgeous flowers, which are deeply cam- 

 panulate and 6 or 7 inches in diameter, white tinged with rose 

 and bright yellow in the centre. This is perhaps the grandest 

 of all Rhododendrons. Rh. Maddeni^ a shrubby species 

 about 6 feet high with erect slender branches, which, as well 

 as the under side of the leaves, are clothed with a rusty 

 tomentum. The flowers are pure white, tubular, from 4 to 5 



