j&temMm 
LITERARY NOTICES. 
able time longer, but they present a more dense body of colour or of white, as the case may be, while 
thin petals are naturally washy and transparent. 
The Indian Azalea has but 
one petal, in five divisions, 
that is to say, it is what bo- 
tanists call monopetalous with 
a five parted limb. In the old 
varieties the divisions are 
comparatively narrow and 
pointed, whereas they should 
be broad and obtuse, so as to 
form a complete circle by the 
indentations being concealed 
by the divided parts folding 
over each other, the edges 
being perfectly smooth. As 
colour is a matter of taste, 
there is only one condition 
that can enhance the value of 
a flower on that account, and 
that is novelty ; but whatever 
be the colour it should be 
dense, as if the petal were 
made of coloured matter 
throughout, and not as if it 
were washed over with it. 
All variegations, whether 
spots or stripes, should be de- 
cided, well defined, well con- 
trasted, and distinct, not 
shaded into one another. As 
the quantity of bloom is an 
object, the flower should be 
large, cupped a little, and 
abundant. 
The foliage should be bright green, the plant short-jointed, the habit therefore close, whether a 
bush, a pyramid, or a standard tree ; so that, when in flower, there will be a surface of flowers with 
the bright green obtruding occasionally to give effect. 
As these plants are the most important of all at our Horticultural Exhibitions, it may as well be 
mentioned that to show them in perfection, they must not be shown with the new growth pushing out 
beyond the flowers. If it be essential to preserve the new growth, keep the plant at home, if you show- 
it remove every shoot. It is the worst fault an Azalea can have, even if it be right in other respects, 
to have the new growth protruding beyond the flowers. 
To sum up, therefore, according to The Properties of Flowers, the flowers should be round, thick, 
smooth, cupped, and abundant ; colour dense, new. if we can get it. The habit close ; branches short 
jointed ; foliage bright green; surface covered with bloom, and no new growth on the plant. 
PERFECT INDIAN AZALEA. 
3 
'i 
LITERARY NOTICES. 
"Hooker's Species Filictim ("Paniplin). — This purports to be a description of all the Ferns known to 
the author, with figures of the more novel and least known kinds. The first volume was completed 
sonic two Or three years since, and we had feared the work was discontinued, which we are now glad 
tn Bee is init the case, the fifth part, or the tirst part of the second volume, having recently come to 
hand. Any book which, professing to bring together the scattered information on a particular 
subject, is produced with ordinary care, becomes useful; and we need therefore Boarcely say, that the 
work before us, must be, from Sir AY. J. Hooker's extensive acquaintance with this charming race of 
plants, a valuable contribution to botanical science. We can say this heartily, while, at the same 
time, wcniay not take precisely the same view with the talented author, as to the limits of genera, or 
eiP^ 
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