half an inch long-, quite smooth, and slightly channelled on the upper 
side; otherwise they are round, and of the same yellowish-green colour 
as the midrib. 
Flower buds oval, and much pointed, covered with seven or eight 
roundish-cordate, pale green, pubescent scales, which generally become 
brown, and drop when the flower is fully expanded. 
The flowers are freely produced, and open in the winter and early 
spring months, with those of the double Camellias. They are from 
one and a half to two inches in expansion, and are composed of five, 
sometimes seven, roundish or roundish-cordate petals, each of which 
is about an inch in diameter, imbricated and connected together at 
the base, but opening so as to have an upright bell-shaped appearance. 
They are of a bright rose or red colour, and veined with darker coloured 
lines. In the centre of the flower rise the stamina, which are filiform, 
thick and fleshy at their base, and united to the petals as well as to 
one another, thereby forming a kind of cylindrical cup, of a yellowish- 
white colour. The anthers are large, and of a deep yellow. The styles 
are generally three, closely connected together, excepting at the point, 
which is of a greenish colour. They are about the same length as the 
stamina. The seeds frequently come to maturity, and are contained 
in a woody pear-shaped capsule, slightly furrowed, having as many 
divisions as there are styles or furrows, with one or two perfect seeds 
in each, and several small imperfect ones; the former resemble a small 
brown nut, but are somewhat angular, and indented on the side next 
to the axis. 
From this species has originated nearly the whole of the double 
varieties, which it is our object in this Work to illustrate and describe. 
Being of free growth, and easily increased by cuttings, it is of great 
value to the cultivator, as it affords an excellent stock whereon to 
inarch or graft the other Camellias, for which purpose it is extensively 
cultivated in the neighbourhood of London. 
