Plate 251 . 
HYBRID TEA ROSE; MRS. OPIE. 
For many years after the introduction of what are commonly called Tea-scented Roses to 
this country from the East, the prevailing colours of their flowers were white or yellow; and 
if now and then pink or rose-colour was present in the flower, it was intimately blended with 
the yellow pigment, the result being different shades of orange or salmon-colour. Within 
the last few years, however, several hybrid varieties have been obtained, doubtless by cross- 
fertilisation, either with some Noisette or China varieties, in which the soft shades of orange 
or salmon-red have been heightened into carmine or deep rosy purple, of which “ Duchess of 
Edinburgh ” and “ Cheshunt Hybrid ” are examples, both having been illustrated in this work. 
The variety we now figure was exhibited last season at the Crystal Palace Rose Shows, and 
elsewhere, and is another welcome addition to the carmine tinted or deep rosy Tea-scented 
varieties. It has been obtained by Messrs. Bell and Son, of ^Norwich, and, when better 
known, cannot fail to be largely cultivated for forcing, either in pots or planted out; as well 
as for cutting in the bud state for decorative purposes. 
Plate 252 . 
ROMNEYA COTTLTERI. 
This singular Californian Poppywort is found on the borders of streams near San Diego, 
and is a strong-growing, much-branching plant, with lobed, glaucous foliage. The flowers 
are large, nearly equalling in size those of the White Water Lily ; colour pure white ; the 
stamens are very numerous ; anthers golden yellow. This must be a very showy plant in its 
own country, as it is apparently very floriferous ; but it is doubtful if it will be so valuable in 
these isles, where the summer heat is not sufficiently powerful for perfecting its growth, and 
fully developing its flowers before our early autumn chills affect it. A plant which opened 
its first flowers in the open border at Glasnevin, in October, 1876, was about 4 ft. high, and 
8 ft. through, with numerous lateral branches, each, as well as the terminal branches, bearing 
a flower-bud at the point ; it was received by Dr. Moore, in March of the same year, and was 
then, we belive, a mere cutting. A specimen also flowered in Mr. Thompson’s collection, 
at Ipswich, in July of last year, and he thus describes the treatment his plants 
received:—“They were raised from seed during the summer of last year, and were 
kept in a cool-house during the winter, though they are capable of resisting a few 
degrees of frost in dry soil. Under glass the plant is almost, if not quite, an evergreen, and 
when turned out into the open border in May, the stems soon reached a height of 2% ft. to 3 
ft., producing a single flower at the summit of each, which developed somewhat slowly, and 
expanded about the middle of July. The petals, six in number, arranged in two series, are 
of the purest white, broadly fan-like in form and slightly fragrant, the flowers being 
quite 4 in. across, and continuing expanded throughout the day. Notwithstanding the 
heat of the weather, they remained open from three to four days, proving that they are 
somewhat less fugacious than many plants of the same Order. This Romneya is a true 
perennial, and may doubtless be easily preserved from year to year in a cold frame. I 
do not think it can be successfully treated as a perfectly hardy perennial.” The plant 
was first described, and the genus founded, by the late Dr. Harvey, Professor of Botany 
in Trinity College, Dublin. A description is given in the “ Botany of California,” vol. i. 
p. 20, and an uncoloured figure appeared in “ Hooker’s Journal of Botany,” vol. iv. t. 3. 
Analysis : (After Hooker) section of ovary enlarged; lateral view of a detached sepal, showing the pro¬ 
jecting wing behind similar to that of some Acers and other samaroid fruits. 
