Chap XIX. THE MOUTAN IX EUROPE. 327 



viously to 1786, Sir Joseph Banks engaged Mr. 

 Duncan, a medical gentleman attached to the East 

 India Company's service, to procure a plant for the 

 Eoyal Garden at Kew, where it was first received, 

 through Mr. Duncan's exertions, in 1787. 



" One of the largest tree-pseonies within ten miles 

 of London stood, till lately, in the grounds at Spring 

 Grove, where it was planted by Sir Joseph Banks. 

 It was 6 feet or 8 feet high, and formed a bush 8 feet 

 or 10 feet in diameter, in 1825. South of London 

 there are equally large plants at Rook's Nest, near 

 Godstone, Surrey, which were planted in 1818. 

 North of London the largest plant in the country is 

 at the seat of Sir Abraham Hume, at Wormleybury, 

 in Hertfordshire. It is 7 feet high, and forms a bush 

 14 feet in diameter, after having been planted thirty 

 years. It stands the winter, in general, very well, 

 but, if the flower-buds swell too early in February, it 

 becomes advisable to cover the plant slightly with a 

 mat. In the year 1835 this plant perfected 320 

 flowers ; but it has been known to bear three times 

 that number. In most parts of Scotland the tree- 

 pseony will grow without protection, and near the sea- 

 coast nearly as well as in England. The largest 

 plants are at Hopeton House and in Dalkeith Park. 

 In Ireland the plant attains a large size with little. or 

 no protection, as will appear by the notice of one 

 12 feet high at Lord Ferrand's." 



A few days after visiting the moutan district I 

 went to see the azalea gardens, which are equally in- 

 teresting. About five miles from the city there are 



