By Joseph Sabine, Esq. 



27,") 



so frequently seen, it has lost much of its estimation ; yet 

 we may judge how highly it was prized when first produced, 

 since Camerarius informs us that the first plant introduced 

 into Antwerp, near 259 years ago, was sold for twelve crowns. 



The double flesh-coloured Peeony, (P. officinalis carnescens) 

 opens of a deep rose-colour, progressively becoming paler, 

 and at length turns to a flesh colour ; the centre and bottom 

 of the petals remaining red in stripes or rays, whilst the edges 

 are nearly white, which circumstance has caused it to be called 

 by some gardeners the Variegated Paony. 



The double-white Pceony, ( P. officinalis albicans), opens of 

 an uniform flesh colour, and undergoing a change similar to 

 the preceding, the whole flower at length becomes perfectly 

 white. 



The alteration which the inflorescence of these two last 

 plants undergoes, has occasioned many accounts of further 

 varieties. I have heard of flesh-coloured flowers which do 

 not change, and of white flowers, which were so at the first 

 opening ; but I have sought for and purchased the plants so 

 named in vain. 



A detailed description of the above three is unnecessary ; 

 they all flower in the end of May, they have but little scent, 

 and that not agreeable ; the outside petals of the flowers are, 

 in shape and size, like those of the single plants ; the inside 

 petals, which are the converted stamens, are narrower, and fill 

 up the whole internal space, except what is occupied by the 

 sterile germens. The plants are easy of cultivation, and will 

 succeed in any situation except that of deep shade, but do 

 not like frequent removal ; the only particular to be attended 

 to in planting them is, that their tuberous roots should not 



