268 
THE RHODODENDRONS OF SIKKIM -HIMALAYA. 
pansion. The corolla consists of five obovate 
cucullate petals, which are reflexed ; these 
are hairy at the back, and the lower half of 
them is bright yellow, the rest white. The 
clusters of numerous stamens project con- 
siderably from the point of the insertion of 
the petals. Enveloping the base of the 
stamens, is a series of five petaloid scales or 
nectaries ; these are white, beautifully mot- 
tled with red ; their form is ovate-acuminate, 
cucullate at the base, and bifid at the apex. 
The flowers, which are numerous, are pro- 
duced for a considerable time in succession 
through the summer months, in season de- 
pending upon the period of sowing. The 
branches, stems, and leaves, are clothed with 
stinging hairs. 
The species is a native of Chacapoyas, in 
the Andes of South America. It was sent to 
England by Mr. W. Lobb, by whom seeds 
were forwarded to Messrs. Veitch of Exeter. 
From these seeds, plants were raised, which 
came into bloom in December, 1848. 
This plant may be grown as a half-hardy 
annual ; that is to say, it should be sown in 
April, in a frame or pit, and by the end of 
May, planted out in the flower garden. There 
is reason to believe, that it will make a pretty 
plant for bedding. The gracefully disposed 
blossoms, yellow and white with a red eye, 
make it very attractive, when there is a pro- 
fusion of them together. 
Of course, such a plant is increased by the 
seeds, which in these Loasas are generally 
produced very abundantly. 
There is one peculiarity in many, perhaps 
all, of these Loasas, which is worth pointing 
out. The stamens, which are usually seen 
to be standing together in a bundle, projecting 
from the centre of the blossoms, at first lie 
in five sets along the hollow of each petal. 
When the stigma has about attained maturity, 
the stamens spring up erect, each set in its 
turn, in order to fertilize the stigma, and 
when this is completed, they relapse again into 
their former position. 
Rhododendron Dalhousiw. 
THE RHODODENDRONS OF SIKKIM-HIMALAYA.* 
The kingdom of Rhododendrons, has, so 
to speak, not escaped intact in these days of 
commotion and revolution ; at least, this may 
* " The Rhododendrons of Sikkim-Himalaya ; being 
an Account, Botanical and Geographical, of the Rho- 
dodendrons recently discovered in the Mountains of 
be said to be the case in respect to the popu- 
lar notions respecting it. A few years since, 
the horticulturist, not being also a botanist, 
Eastern Himalaya, &c." By J. D. Hooker, R.N., M.D., 
F.R.S., &c. Edited by Sir W. J. Hooker, K.H., D.C.L., 
&c. &c. London : Reeve, Benham & Reeve. 
