554 Description of the Species of Camellia and Thea. 



approaching that of the Myrtle-leaved. Before they open the petals are com- 

 pactly curved over one another in such a manner as to give to the flower the 

 appearance of a small Cabbage Rose ; a peculiarity which it is not unusual for 

 some of the flowers to retain in a greater or less degree until they drop ; generally 

 however the outer petals unfold and spread nearly flat. They are each roundish 

 cordate, about three-fourths of an inch in breadth, and sometimes have a faint 

 greenish stripe down the centre. The whole of the petals are similar in form, and 

 very evenly arranged, diminishing regularly in size towards the centre of the 

 flower, which is occasionally pitted and not so full of petals as in some of the 

 other varieties. 



It was imported for the Society in 1821, by Captain 

 Thomas Le Blanc, in compliment to whom it has received 

 its name. 



20. Camellia Japonica speciosa. 



Rawes's Variegated Waratah. 



This fine variety was imported by Captain Rawes in 1824, 

 and presented to his friend Thomas Carey Palmer, Esq. 

 in whose Greenhouse at Bromley it flowered in March 1826, 

 and an opportunity was kindly afforded me of describing it. 



The plant in general appearance is very distinct from any of the other im- 

 ported varieties, and like them may at once be distinguished by the leaves, which 

 are comparatively thin and of a bright vivid green. They are for the most part 

 nearly flat and ovate, broad at the base, and becoming somewhat narrower to- 

 wards the point ; sometimes a few of them are slightly recurved ; the serratures 

 are shallow, small, and sharp, becoming indistinct near the base of the leaf. The 

 midrib and veins are of a palish green, not very prominent, nor so strong as in 

 some of the other kinds ; the usual size of the leaves is about 3£ inches long, and 

 2\ inches broad. The petioles are roundish and slightly hollowed on the upper 

 side, generally half an inch long, and of the same colour as the midrib and veins. 

 Flower-buds oval with a blunt point ; the scales are dull green, roundish cor- 

 date, slightly pubescent, and at the edges which are thin, frequently have a 

 brownish tinge. The flowers are exceedingly handsome, and of a deeper red 

 than either Atro-rubens or Waratah, but approaches in some degree those of the 

 latter. They open very regularly, and when expanded are usually 4 inches in 

 diameter. The outer petals vary from an inch to an inch and a half in breadth, 

 and are sometimes slightly cordate, but most generally rounded at the edges, 

 a little recurved, and faintly veined. These large outer petals are from 10 to 

 12 or more in number, and are placed in two or three rows rather irregularly over 

 one another, with a few unequal blotches of white appearing on some of them 

 near the edges ; above these there is another row of small incurved petals like 



