SCUTELLARIA JAPONICA. 
(Japan Skullcap.) 
Class. 
DIDYNAMIA. 
Order. 
GYMNOSPERMIA. 
Natural Order. 
LABIATE. 
Generic Character —See p. 99 of the last number. 
Specific Character.— Plant apparently a small 
evergreen shrub. Stems quadrangular. Leaves oppo- 
site, petiolate, somewhat spoon-shaped, serrated, ob- 
tuse. Flowers in terminal spikes. Corolla with a long 
tube, deep blue, spotted on the lower lip and in the 
throat. 
We figured last month a very interesting species of this genus, which was 
remarkahle for having brilliant deep scarlet flowers ; and we now bring forward 
another kind, which, though departing less from the usual character, produces 
extremely beautiful blue blossoms, is a pleasing dwarf object, and appears to be 
either hardy and fit for growing in the open borders, or nearly so, and requiring 
only the protection of a cold frame in winter. 
S.japonica is one of those pleasing little plants which grow only four or five 
inches in height, are of a partially trailing character, and bear a profusion of showy 
blossoms throughout the whole of the summer. The blossoms are produced in 
comparatively large spikes, at the end of the principal or lateral branches, and 
besides being of a handsome blue tint, are prettily spotted in the throat. They aro 
somewhat like those of a delightful little plant which is so common on our hedge- 
banks, and is therefore scarcely noticed—the Ground Ivy ; only they have a much 
longer tube, and are arranged with greater effect. 
As its name asserts, it is a Japan plant, and has been in the nursery of Messrs. 
Rollisson, Tooting, for three or four years. We had our drawing prepared there in 
June 1841. It is probably one of the many plants brought to light by Dr. Sie- 
bold, during his travels in Japan. From its native country, the probability is that 
it will be found hardy enough to endure our winters. 
At Messrs. Rollisson's it has been treated as a frame plant, and grown in a 
pot, amongst Alpines and such like species, being exposed through the summer 
