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THE PROPERTIES OF THE CAMELLIA JAPONICA. 
CAMELLIA JAPONICA, Var. DRYSDALII. 
Nat, (h'dcr, Ternstromiace.e, \ Camellie/e. 
Generic Character. — Camellia, Litni. — Calyx Tvitbout 
bracts, 5-9 scpalled, sepals imbricated in 2-3 rows, the interior 
by degrees larger, deciduous. Corolla with 5-7 hypogynous, 
imbricated petals, the interior larger. S/amens numerous, hy- 
pogynous, in several rows, often adhering to the bottom of the 
petals, more or less coherent together at the base ; ^filaments 
subxdate ; anthers incumbent, 2-celled, oblong, with a ratber 
thick connective, cells bursting longitudinally. Oranj free, 3-5 
celled ; ovules 4-5 in a cell, inserted alternately on the central 
angle, pendulous ; style 3-5 toothed ; stigmas capitellate. Capsules 
3-5 celled, indehiscent or loculicidally 3-5 valved, the valves 
beai'ing the septa in the middle, central axis persistent, the 
faces bearing the SQe6.s.—{EndUcher Gen. Flatit.) 
Camellia japonica. — Linn, Leaves ovate, acuminate, acutely 
serrate, flowers terminal, sub-solitaiy. Varies with flowers 
simple or double ; red, white, yellow, and variegated. 
Var.— Drysdalii. Drysdale's Camellia. — A rose and white 
striped, full-double variety. 
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WISTORY. — This vei-y beautiful and fiuely-formed rose striped Camellia is a seedling raised 
^ several years back, by Messrs. Drysdale & Co., um-serjancn of Glasgow, in whose hands the 
entire stock of jjlants is at the present time. We understand it is a very free blooming kind, 
and, being distinct, will no doubt be found au acquisition to every choice collection of these 
beautiful plants. A full detail of the proper method of cultivating the Camellia would occupy 
more space than we can spare in this place ; we therefore introduce a summary of the points 
which constitute a perfect Camellia. 
THE PROPERTIES OF THE CAMELLIA JAPONICA. 
By Mr. G. GLENNY, F.H.S. 
¥E cannot perhaps at a better time offer a few remarks on this subject, than when the portrait of 
Messrs. Drysdale's new variety is given to the floral world ; for, although we have not seen the 
original, the ai'tist's sketch induces us to believe that it is a step m the right dh-ection, and, at all events, 
pictures a new and distinct variety with many good qualities. We do not attempt to copy the words of the 
volume published under the title of " The Properties of Flowers and Plants," nor, indeed, have we the 
book to refer to, but when we reflect, that not a law is there laid down, that is not founded on pruiciple, 
we cannot err, though we describe in other words, or, perhaps, from habit, something like the same, 
those points which, acording to our notion, constitute perfection. The Camellia japonica is, perhaps, 
one of the most beautiful of flowering evergreen shi-ubs, a favom-ite with everybody, interesting in all 
its stages of growth and bloom, and, beyond description, magnificent, when well grown and flowered. 
The most awkward and imperfect of the varieties and species is noble in some stage — for instance, when 
the buds are opening, and before they are forwai'd enough to disclose then- imperfections ; bat we are 
every year enriching the family with new varieties, which of late j'ears have become favomites or 
otherwise, in proportion as they advance towards the desired model. The standard we desue to see 
attained, comprises the following important features : — 
First. The flower should be perfectly round in its outline, and form half a globe on the face. 
Second. The petals should be smooth on the edges, free from the shghtest indentm-e or serrature, 
and thick as well as flrm m texture. 
Third. They should imbricate, that is, the centre of one petal should cover the part where the two 
under petals lap or cross each other, and this should continue to the centre, each row of petals rising 
siiificient above the other to form a globular face. 
Fourth. As a consequence, there should be perfect symmetry, uniformity, and order, prevailing 
throughout the flower. 
Fifth. The plant should be short-jointed, so that the growth would be shrubby and compact, the 
blooms shoidd be at the ends of all the shoots fafrly beyond the fohage which should hide the stems 
that are beneath it, and present a bright surface of dark green. 
Sixth. Although large flowers are desirable with large foliage, small blooms would be as valuable 
when the leaves are small in proportion, therefore no size can be defined as preferable. 
Seventh. As regards colour, taste must have its enjoyment ; but, whatever shade it may be, it should 
be dense and decided, from pure white, through all the grades of rose-colom-, to deep scarlet, the pre- 
ference being given, on this point, to novelty, where other claims are equal. 
Eighth. With respect to variegated flowers, whether blotched or striped, the colours should be well 
defined and positive, with even edges where they meet, and not clouded or shaded into one another. 
Ninth. The plant should be bushy, and the fohage close, down to the rim of the pot, no bare stem 
should be seen, and the specimen should be all round alike, that is, all sides should be close and good. 
We may be told that all these points are not easily attained, but, if the artist has been fortunate in 
\ a likeness of Mr. Drysdale's novelty, we have a very near approach to some very important features 
