Gkimllia JJcxpontCCl. Natural Order: Camelliacece — Tea Family . 
APAN is the original habitat of this shrub, whence its name in 
part — Japonica, Japanese; while the first part is derived from 
II the German botanist, Kamel, Latinized into Camellus. It is a 
native of China, as well as of Japan, where it grows to a large 
tree. It is graceful and handsome as one could desire for any 
place or occasion. Its blossoms are among the loveliest that nature 
yields, but lack the fragrance of those of its rival, the rose, which 
they much resemble; they are, however, more stately, the petals 
being much thicker, more waxy and symmetrical. There are, it is 
‘said, now nearly a thousand varieties, chiefly derived from seed. 
In order to perpetuate the same variety in color, they are propa¬ 
gated from slips. 
J^crfrrl Jnwlituss. 
AT E’ER shall thy dangerous gifts these brows adorn, 
1 ’ To me more dear than all their rich perfume, 
The chaste Camellia’s pure and spotless bloom, 
That boasts no fragrance and conceals no thorn. 
O HE, the gayest, sweetest blossom, 
^ Smiling ’neath the summer skies, 
Glorious lips and swelling bosom, 
Golden hair and sparkling eyes, 
-— Wm. Roscoe. 
Softly breathing amorous sighs, 
While the doves around are cooing, 
And the simple lovers wooing, 
Holds the moonbeams in surprise. 
—Carlos D. Stuart. 
T^ACH ornament about her seemly lies. 
c 
v By curious chance, or careless art, composed. 
— Tasso. 
T'HE fairness of her face no tongue can tell, 
For she the daughters of all women’s race. 
And angels eke, in beautie doth excel, 
Sparkled on her from God’s own glorious face, 
And more increast by her own goodly grace, 
That it doth far exceed all human thought, 
Ne can on earth compared be to aught. 
— Spenser. 
69 
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