or Chinese tree Paeony, being a subject of far later 
introduction. It was obtained by Sir Joseph Banks, 
from China, only about forty years ago. The 
wonder-exciting tales of the magnificence, the cost- 
liness, and the heauty, of this plant had long been 
known to Europeans; though the plant itself had 
never been procured. The Chinese, themselves, 
were said to have sold plants of some of the choice 
varieties, at an hundred ounces of gold each ; and in 
France, on the first introduction of the Moutan, it sold 
at nearly an hundred pounds sterling. 
We now arrive at the introduction of another por- 
tion of this genus, the Paeonia edulis; or, as it is 
sometimes called, Paeonia albiflora, of which our 
figure represents one of the varieties. This, also, 
was introduced from China, but at a still later date, 
and like the old sorts, is herbaceous. The species 
includes varieties Avith both double and single flowers, 
and these also varying from almost white to a deep 
rose colour; hence the name albiflora, or white- 
flowered, becomes objectionable. The term edulis, 
or eatable, is certainly preferable, having been 
adopted on account of the uses made of the root and 
seeds, where some of the varieties are indigenous. 
Where ornamental gardens are tolerably exten- 
sive, or lawns are varied by moimts and shrubs, the 
Paeony jdelds a boldness of character which is pecu- 
liarly suited to their decoration. It flourishes in ex- 
posed or shady sibiations, and may be increased by 
diAasion of the roots. Many varieties produce seed; 
and this should be soAvn in autumn, where the young 
plants may remain undisturbed, at least tAvo or three 
years, as they slowly groAv to maturity. 
Hort. Kew. 2, v. 3, 316. 
