64 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



amplexicaule-ovate acute leaves with a whitish velvety tomentum on the 

 under surface. 



In the Ericaceae Rhododendron is represented by the largest number 

 of species, and some are of striking beauty. Space will not permit me to 

 mention more than two of them : Rhododendron auriculatum, the largest- 

 flowered, and Rhododendron micranthum, the smallest-flowered species 

 in the collection, are perhaps the most interesting. 



Rhododendron auriculatum is a shrub, 10-30 ft. in height, with 

 entire coriaceous leaves, obovate in outline, 8 in. long by 2f in. broad, 

 prolonged at the base into auricles, or ears, from which peculiarities it 

 takes its specific name. The flowers are large, funnel-shaped, 3 in. in 

 depth, expanding 4- \\ in. at the mouth, pure white or rosy pink in colour, 

 and of striking appearance. (Fig. 25.) 



Rhododendron micranthum would not readily be recognised as a 

 Rhododendron, but that it belongs to that genus is evident on close 

 examination. It occurs on cliffs, north of the Yangtsze, at elevations 

 above 5,000 feet, where it forms a bush from 4-20 ft. high. The leaves 

 are small, obovate, acuminate at base, 1^ in. long by § in. broad, dark 

 green on the upper surface, covered with ferrugineous scales beneath. 

 The infloreseence is a simple erect raceme, 2 in. long, terminating the 

 branches and composed of numerous small white flowers which are about 

 \ in. in diameter and broadly funnel-shaped with exserted stamens 

 situated on pedicels, \ in. long. The dried specimens show that in a 

 wild state this species is very floriferous ; and although the individual 

 flowers are small, their pure- white colour and abundance should render 

 them attractive. 



Primula ovalifolia makes but a disappointing specimen when prepared 

 for the herbarium, losing both colour and shape of flower ; yet in the wild 

 state it is one of the most beautiful of the genus. Its native habitat is 

 in moist shady woods, high up on the mountains, where it flowers very 

 freely as soon as the snow disappears, making quite a carpet of bloom, in 

 this respect resembling our common Primrose. In colour the flowers 

 approach nearer blue than do those of any other known member of the 

 genus. They are large and borne in a dense umbel on a scape about 6 in. 

 high, springing from a tuft of oval or obovate radical leaves. 



Like many other Primulas,, the seed of this species when first sent 

 home failed to germinate, but some plants arrived in a weakly condition 

 •m<l ha\e developed into healthy specimens from which it is hoped flowers 

 will be produced. 



The natural order Olcacece is represented in the Chinese flora by many 

 Useful garden plants, and the present collection includes several, com- 

 prisiug species belonging to the genera Olea, Lujustrum, Jasminum, 

 /■'rn. mi us, Ac. Of these the most important is Jasminum primulinum 

 (the Primrose-flowered Jasmine). It was first discovered by Mr. Hancock 

 'jrowing in hedges and copses in Yunnan, and from his specimen Mr. 

 Hemsley described it in the " Kew Bulletin" for 1895. The habit and 

 i/encni] appearance of the plant simulate Jasminum nudijlorum; the 

 1 tranches are four-angled and the leaves trifoliate. 



The Mowers are bright golden yellow, produced, usually in pairs, in the 

 of tin • leases, along the whole length of the previous year's growth. 



