26 



PAXTON'S FLOWER GARDEN. 



We are glad to reproduce a figure of this plant, — firstly, for the sake of making a highly 

 interesting species better known ; and, secondly, for the sake of removing the error of supposing that 

 what is called R. Rottissonii is some hybrid form. It is nothing whatever except the wild Tree- 

 Rhododendron of the Cingalese Hills. As far as our information now goes, it seems to be found 

 nowhere else. 



As a species, tins differs manifestly from the other Indian Tree-Rhododendrons in its very peculiar 

 leaves, which, instead of being long and narrow, and more or less flat, are broad and short, very 

 obtuse, and even heart-shaped at the base, wavy, excessively wrinkled, and remarkably rolled back 

 at their edge. The hairiness of their under-side is like neither the coarse brown shagginess of the 

 Cinnamon Rhododendron, nor the close silvery surface of the Scarlet Tree-Rhododendron, nor the 

 short pale-brown starry pile of the Campanulate Rhododendron. On the contrary, the fur, although 

 copious, is of a pale-brown dull colour, and so close that it would not be taken for hairiness without 

 a minute inspection. 



There are now in general cultivation five very distinct races of Indian Rhododendrons, concerning 

 which a few observations require to be made. 



Firstly, we have the Old Scarlet Tree-Rhododendron (R. arboreum) with rich blood-red 

 flowers, and long flat leaves, silvery underneath. Whether there is really any white variety of this, 

 is uncertain. 



Next, there is the Cinnamon Tree-Rhododendron (R. cinnamomeum), so well known by its long, 

 flat, deep green, wrinkled, narrow leaves, covered beneath with a coarse, shaggy, rusty wool. This, 

 originally published in 1824 by Dr. Wallich, and afterwards in 1837, as a variety of the Scarlet Tree- 

 Rhododendron, in the Botanical Register, t. 1982, is chiefly known as a white-flowered plant. 

 Nevertheless it varies to Rose colour, as is proved by the Neilgherry Rhododendron (R. Nilaghericum) 

 which is figured in the Botanical Magazine, t. 4381 ; and winch is absolutely identical, except in 

 colour. We ought to state that this last was introduced by Messrs. Lodcliges, and not by Lucombe 

 and Pince of Exeter, to whom belongs no other credit than that of flowering it. Whether the R. nobile 

 of Wallich, which we have not seen, is tins or the Ceylon Tree-Rhododendron, is uncertain. 



Then, there is the Bearded Tree-Rhododendron (R. barbatum), little known at present, but 

 long since dispersed by Messrs. Loddiges, and which is remarkable for the coarse stiff hairs of 

 the leaf-stalks. 



After this species follows the Campanulate Rhododendron (R. campanulahim) with its broad 

 flat leaves, cordate at the base, and short stellate rusty down ; and finally we have 



The Ceylon Rhododendron (R. Rottissonii), the subject of this article. 



We are the more anxious to make this clear, because the wondrous discoveries of Dr. Hooker, 

 and the new things come or coming from the islands of India, will render the Garden Botany of 

 Asiatic Rhododendrons very difficult a few years hence. Nor can we say that it appears to be clearly 

 understood even now. 



