204 Description of Varieties of the Magnoli a glauca. 



flower ; the three outer petals envelope the others before the 

 flower opens, and the whole expands well in warm seasons, 

 and has a very delicious scent. The colour of the petals is 

 not of so clear a white as the former, being at first more 

 tinged with the apricot or light brown hue. This tree I ob- 

 served in the Nursery garden of Mr. Thompson, at Mile End, 

 where it was planted together with several of the two pre- 

 ceding varieties, (and an abundance of curious exotic trees 

 and shrubs, which are now in the highest state of beauty and 

 perfection), by the late Mr. James Gordon, between sixty 

 and seventy years ago. 



The fourth variety was pointed out to me by Mr. Milne, 

 in the Garden of Messrs. Whitley, Brames, and Milne, 

 at Fulham. It was left there by their predecessor, Mr. 

 Burchell, who obtained it from America ; but whether as 

 a young plant, or by means of imported seed, is not remem- 

 bered. The plant being a stool in the Nursery, does not 

 shew its natural habit ; but as its shoots are very vigorous, T 

 conclude it is more free in its growth than the common sort. 

 The leaves, on an average, are nearly six inches long, and 

 three inches wide, much exceeding those of the common sort 

 in magnitude ; in other points, they exactly correspond. The 

 iiowers are very fragrant, but do not open freely ; the petals 

 have the appearance of being crumpled together, they are 

 nearly two inches and a half long. The flower bud is thick, 

 pointed, and hard to the touch, and besides the calyx leaves, 

 which greatly resemble petals, consists of about twelve regu- 

 lar petals. It is very probable, should this plant be placed 

 in a situation suitable to it, that its flowers would expand 

 well, in which case its large leaves and superior scent would 



