^totiob^nliron ^ocutp Mottd 
surmised. In the case of other species the scales are always treated as 
an important character, and properly so ; but with R. Edgeworthii it is the 
rugosity of the leaves, the profusion of tomentum, so that in breeding between 
it and R. formosum, for instance, it might have been inferred from the books 
that a cross had been effected between a scaleless and a scaly species. 
Nevertheless, on carefully rubbing away the tomentum from the under¬ 
surface of a mature leaf, and placing the leaf under a microscope, I found plenty 
of scales ; and further on examining the young leaves of seedling plants, I found 
also scales on the upper surface. When I come to describe the hybrids raised 
from this species, the importance of these facts will be apparent. 
But first, a few more words of description for the species itself, which bears 
a name classical for Englishmen. It is in fact named, not after the weU-knowTi 
authoress herself, but after her brother,* an Indian civilian of botanical tastes 
and acquirements, whose book on pollen and other writings are probably known 
to my readers. The character of the foliage of R. Edgeworthii has already 
been partly indicated. The leaves are comparatively small, rugose or wrinkled, 
covered underneath with a thick rusty tomentum, which spreads to the stalks 
and branches. 
They have been compared to those of R. pendulum (? Camelli.eflorum) 
and R. rugosum, and are highly ornamental as well as the flowers. These last 
are very large for a plant of so dwarf a habit, as large or nearly so, as those of 
R. Dalhousi^, and more strongly and deliciously scented. The tube of the 
corolla is not so long, and the general shape more open and cuplike. There is an 
excellent illustration in Hooker’s Sikkim Rhododendrons, and a very inferior 
one in the Botanical Magazine. The tinge of colour in the white is generally 
rose instead of yellow, as in R. Dalhousi^. Although also an epiphyte, but 
growing generally upon Pines, its habit is unlike, and the character of the root 
seems different from that of R. Dalhousi^, which resembles in this respect 
the Bornean and Javan races as described by Mr. Low. It is a species which 
ought to be grown in many greenhouses, requiring just the temperature suiting 
Indian Azaleas, or a cooler one. 
I have grown plants out-of-doors, and they have survived several wdnters, 
but not comfortably. Small plants are easily procured from the nurseries, but 
larger ones are scarce. In fact, it is only of late that the taste for Sikkim 
Rhododendrons has revived. I have lately seen at Messrs. Williams’, of 
Holloway, a fine large plant (among other fine Rhododendrons), naturally 
grown, winch shows that it need not be tortured and twisted round a wire trellis 
in the usual horrible way. There is a very interesting plant also at Kew, under 
the trusty care of Mr. Binder in the Temperate-house. It stands in a bed at 
the north-east corner, and is all the more interesting because surrounded by the 
most unlikely congeners, almost a pigmy among giants, and so different in 
appearance and habit. There, behind it, stands the stately R. arboreum, a 
forest tree ; R. barbatum and Aucklandii, tall saplings ; mighty bushes of 
R. calophyllum and R. Jenkinsii of two or more types ; R. Maddenii, larger 
still; and R. formosum, of goodly proportions. Further on is seen R. Fortunei, 
♦Michael Pakenham Edgeworth, born 1812, died 1881. 
78 
