232 Account of the Genus Dahlia. 



varies, their diameter being sometimes only three, in other 

 cases full six inches. The shape and expansion of the indi- 

 vidual florets of the rays, are also very different ; some are 

 broad, others narrow, the former being much the best ; some 

 have their ends terminated by a point, others are broken into 

 two or three divisions ; in some each separate floret is quite 

 flat, in others they are hollowed or cupped ; others again are 

 ridged, or ribbed ; and I have seen a few, with the rays tubu- 

 lar, the florets being united at the edges, a state, perhaps 

 more singular than elegant, but it is not constant, for the plant 

 which produces tubular rays in one season, will have them 

 fully expanded in the next. In another class, the rays of the 

 flower are not regularly or evenly shaped, being lengthened 

 out and bent obliquely sideways, assuming a character very 

 different to the view, from the other kinds. The rays some- 

 times are turned backwards, or recurved, sometimes they 

 incline forwards, but most commonly are flatly expanded. 



The white varieties of the Dahlias, with one exception, are 

 very similar in their flowers, which are below the average 

 size ; they have been sought after with more eagerness than, I 

 think, they deserve, their chief merit, consisting in their sin- 

 gularity ; a collection is not, however, complete without some 

 of them, and in the mass they form a fine contrast to the 

 darker coloured flowers ; the exception I have made, is a 

 plant, sent to the Society, by the Count Lelieur, the flowers 

 of which are equal in size, and grandeur of appearance, to the 

 best of the coloured varieties. I have lately seen a plant, the 

 flower of which has its rays white, with the slightest dash of 

 purple diffused through it ; it is one of the most striking 

 varieties I know. 



