JUNE. 
173 
ON SOME OF THE NEW AND SCARCE AURICULAS, AND 
THE WHITE-EDGED SECTION.- 
For one living lialf-way between London and Edinburgh, it is too 
early yet to make remarks on tiie Auricula bloom of the year; but as 
there is an advanlage in doing so, though imperfectly while the plants 
are yet in bloom, and may be compared with what is said of them, I 
take the liberty of sending you a part of what I have to say at once. 
As I am this day an exhibitor for the first time at the Botanic Gardens 
in London, I took the opportunity of sending half-a-dozen new ones 
besides the competitors, for public inspection merely; and more would 
have been added if the basket had been larger, and more still had it 
been a week later. Indeed, it was just that week too early for my 
prospect of a prize; but that may pass; the flowers themselves are 
with me the first prize. Those I sent for inspection are Lycurgus, 
Lords Clyde and Byron, Formosa, Pizarro, and Superintendent, to 
which, perhaps, may be added the two Uniques which were among the 
competitors. I hope Mr. Turner also sent North Star, Volunteer, and 
George Lightbody; this last I should myself have sent, but that it was 
only half opened, for it promises to be what I hardly expected, worth 
its grievously high price. On each of these I w^ould make a few 
remarks. 
Campbell's Pizarro, self. —Beyond reasonable question the gem of 
the new ones; the best of seifs, and the nearest approach to ideal 
perfection that has yet been achieved in the Auricula. Its colour is 
neither very bright nor new, being a deep rich brown, identical with 
that of Mary Gray, which is probably its female parent, and which it 
resembles in the form as well as the colour of the flower, and partly 
also in the foliage. But Pizarro is absolutely flat and throughout 
circular and proportionate, with good open orange eye and low anthers, 
and is a capital trusser. 
Smith's Lycurgus {Greeri). —Had I had another week for this to 
have opened slowly and perfectly, it would have been the chief attraction 
of my contribution. It is a most striking flower, with but one fault, 
a beaded margin to the edge, its green being otherwise pure and deep. 
The truss sent to London for inspection was not in full bloom, and its 
shape spoiled moreover by being forwarded in heat. ' 
Ljghtbodi/s Lord Clyde, self, very striking certainly; and Mrs. 
Sturrock looked so tame beside it that I withdrew the latter from the 
set to be exhibited, and substituted a Vulcan, Pizarro being a fortnight 
past its best, and besides being, I believe, not yet let out. But Lord 
Clyde has faults. It does not flatten, and its paste is angular and too 
narrow; its colour is a very dark crimson, but it is lively, a good 
* This paper was forwarded to me last month too late for insertion; its value, 
however, is not dependent on the time of its appearance, as it will be read with 
interest by all Auricula lovers. My good friend promises some observations on 
the other classes, which will be most acceptable, as no one has a keener eye, 
better taste, or a more varied collection.— I). 
