Plate. 
DELPHINIUM, TRIOMPHE DE PONTOISE. 
The changes which have been effected by the skill and 
energy of the horticulturist, in the entire character and 
appearance of the various plants which have been the subjects 
of his enterprise, are such as to startle those who are unac¬ 
quainted with them, and who can hardly credit the marvels 
which he has to point to in proof of the success of his efforts. 
Few could imagine that the magnificent double Dahlias, which 
year after year seem to attain to still greater perfection of 
form than before, are the progeny of the single variety which 
used, many years ago, to be considered merely as a greenhouse 
plant, and few we think would recognize, in the curiously 
beautiful subject of our Plate, any affinity to the Larkspurs, 
which either as annuals or perennials have been so long 
cultivated in our gardens. Such at least were our own thoughts, 
when, on visiting Mr. Fraser’s garden, at Lea Bridge, in the 
summer of the present year, we perceived the plant growing 
amongst a collection of Delphiniums of home and foreign pro¬ 
duction, from which it was remarkably distinguished in many 
respects. Some years ago, a variety, which received a first-class 
certificate, named AJopecuroides , was exhibited by Messrs. 
Wheeler, of Warminster, but it was very different from Triomphe 
de Pontoise , being very confused, and of much deeper colour; 
it also, however, was a curious departure from the normal 
form, but we have not heard of any further advance upon it. 
Triomphe de Pontoise is distinguished by the great regularity 
and button-like appearance of the individual flowers, the florets 
being regularly laid over one another so as to present a semi- 
globular appearance, and they are sufficiently numerous to 
present the appearance of a good spike of bloom without being 
