64 THE EHODODENDEON. 



slight protection, such as a winter covering of pine- 

 needles, as it never exceeds a few inches in height. 



The flowers are large, for the plant ; pale purple, 

 and very handsome. 



Figured in Pax. Mag. 3, p. 169 ; Bot. Mag. 14, 

 t. 488 ; Lodd. Cab. 1491. 



We now come to the most showy of the family, 

 the magnificent species of the Sikkim Himalayas. 

 Of these we can only briefly cite from English 

 authorities. We have had no experience in their 

 culture. They are all tender, — many true green- 

 house plants ; others will stand a few degrees of frost. 

 These latter are worthy of cultivation in a Rhodo- 

 dendron-house. 



The magnificent work of Hooker, on the " Rho- 

 dodendrons of the Sikkim Himalaya," from which 

 we derive most of our information, gives beautiful 

 colored figures of these noble species. We have 

 also given references to such figures as we have 

 been able to find in other illustrated works ; but our 

 notice of all these species must necessarily be 

 brief, and can only serve to call the attention of 

 the amateur to the wealth of floral beauty which is 

 within his reach. 



All the best species can now be obtained of Eng- 

 lish nurserymen, and many fine hybrids have been 

 originated within the last ten years. 



We also mention some of the tropical Rhododen- 

 drons: species of easy growth with stove-heat, 

 many of which are exquisitely beautiful, and some 

 deliciously fragrant. 



