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LIMODORON TANKERVILLLE; 



OR, 



CHINESE LIMODORON. 



This beautiful plant was introduced into our gardens in 1778 by Dr. Fothergill, who obtained 

 the seeds from China. Its Latin specific name was given it in honour of the Countess of Tanker- 

 ville, a cultivator of flowers, the elegant and refined pleasure of virtuous and noble minds. Its 

 leaves are ensate, plaited, and often somewhat revolute. The flowers are elegantly disposed 

 upon the scape, three together at the base, then opposite, and clustered above. In their infant 

 state these are protected by a green spatha, which drops as the flowers advance; these then beau- 

 tifully unfold their five brooding petals, which are white above, but of a brown red beneath, 

 elegantly contrasting with a bell-shape nectary, exteriorly white at its base, but marked with a 

 dark purple at its mouth, and of a lighter tinge. The inside of the tube itself is of a dark purple, 

 but a pale line runs along its centre towards the horn : this conceals the organs of generation, 

 which are curiously fashioned, for as in the Orchis tribe, the anthers are twin, depending, and 

 lodged within cells, closely connected with the stigma, which is supported by a fleshy style, but the 

 germen is exterior. It comes under the class of Gynandria, Order Diandria, of Linn^us. 



Sweet Flower, whose modest beauties blow 



Deep in the green and silent vale, 

 Where willows, bending o'er the stream, 



Wave gently to the passing gale! 



So, in thy native Sina's shades, 



Like thee, sequester d and serene, 

 Soft smiling sit her pensive maids, 



Pleas'd with the solitary scene. 



There, list'ning to some magic tale, 



Of fabled bliss, or fancied woe, 

 They deck with art the silken veil, 



Or tend the flowers that round them blow. 



From moss-clad rocks and tangled shades 



The murmuring waters roll around; 

 Sweep through the gardens green arcades, 



And shine along the varied ground. 



On waving boughs the plumy race 



Sweet carol from the blossom'd spray ; 

 While, glittering in each pictur'd vase, 



The golden-scaled beauties play. 



Domestic cares and duteous love 



In turn their tender thoughts employ; 

 And form within their green alcove 



A happiness that cannot cloy. 



Shaw 







