Plate 82. 
PUCHSIAS BIANCA AND VOLUNTEER. 
Fuchsia hybrid a, var . 
There are few flowers which more strikingly exemplify the 
changes which from time to time are produced by care and 
cultivation, and indeed we may say sometimes by what seems 
mere chance, than the Fuchsia, whose slender and drooping 
branches, and graceful and elegant blooms, have combined to 
make it a general favourite; for, although perhaps not grown 
so extensively in collections as some florists’ flowers, there are 
few greenhouses in which some of the many varieties are not 
cultivated with success. 
Formerly only the dark varieties were known; but a sport, 
which we believe occurred with Mr. Cripps, of Tunbridge 
Wells, many years ago, produced in Venus Victrix , the parent 
of the varieties with white sepals and tube. In the meantime 
the dark ones were gradually assuming the Turk’s-cap form, 
which they now possess. Again, some few years ago, white 
corollas made their appearance; and latterly we have had 
introduced some double ones, in which the corolla, instead of 
being simple, is double. Advance in size has also been pro¬ 
gressive, and the substance of the flower greatly increased, so 
that now little is left to be desired, and considerable difficulty 
will be experienced in surpassing either the varieties now 
figured, or those lately sent out, especially Minnie Banks , 
which, taken altogether, may be regarded as the finest of ail 
the white-sepalled varieties. 
We are fortunate in being close neighbours to the gentleman 
to whom the fuchsia-loving world is indebted more than any 
one else, for the great improvement which has taken place in 
this flower, Edward Banks, Esq., of Sholden Lodge ; and it may 
give some idea of the difficulty of raising new varieties, when we 
