HYBRID RHODODENDRONS. 



261 



particularly since its inability to withstand the rigour of this 

 climate had been ascertained, Lord Carnarvon became desirous 

 of producing a cross breed between it and the hardy species. The 

 pollen from B. arboreum was used early in the spring of 1826 

 in fertilising the flowers of this hardy species, which by previous 

 concert had been brought into contemporaneous bloom. The 

 result was the production of a number of capsules containing 

 good seed, from which were raised above 1,800 plants, which 

 have been extensively distributed to nurseries and private gardens 

 both in England and Scotland. The plants retained by Lord 

 Carnarvon showed flower-buds in small quantity late last autumn. 

 Some of the most perfect were removed into pots early in the 

 present season from the shrubberies, and, being placed under 

 glass in a cool conservatory, have flowered. The plants are 

 quite hardy, having never been damaged in the slightest degree 

 by the winters of this climate ; but they are very excitable, shoot 

 very early, and will therefore in early springs be liable to be 

 injured by late frosts. They make extremely vigorous growth, 

 and, judging from the analogy which I have ooserved to prevail 

 in hybrid production, I am inclined to believe they will attain to 

 the height of 20 feet and upwards. Their foliage is very orna- 

 mental." It was probably about 1854 to 1864 the species of 

 Himalayan Rhododendron were attracting attention, for in 

 those days Hooker, in the Botanical Magazine, figures some forty 

 species. 



EAST INDIAN SPECIES OF RHODODENDRON. 



The following species, of which the majority have been in- 

 troduced by Messrs. Veitch & Sons, are the origins of the hybrids 

 and crosses described in this paper. 



1. B. Brookeanum* (Low) var. gracile. — A lax shrub, 

 epiphytal, or growing on mossy limestone. Leaves, form 

 oblanceolate, 8 inches long ; apex acute ; base very tapering. 

 Corolla large ; tube somewhat funnel-shaped, about 1J inches 

 long ; limb 2 1 ? inches diameter ; lobes revolute ; colour straw. 

 There are two principal varieties, yellow and a rich red, said to 

 resemble Azalea indica lateritia, but richer. It is not used in 



* Journ. Hort. Soc. iii. p. 83, 1848. 



