consist of ten or twelve large outer petals, arranged in two rows round
a great number of smaller ones, th a t rise in the centre of the flower, in
an erect irregular mass. These outer petals are each of a roundish cordate
form, varying from an inch to an inch and a half in breadth.
They are a t fii*st slightly concave, b u t gradually spread open, u n til they
become almost flat. In some flowers they are entire, and recurved at
the edges; generally, however, they are indented, or partially divided,
and undulated. Their colour is pure white, excepting for about a third
of their length, nearest the base, which is deeply tinged with red, as
well as a small stripe up the centre; the la tte r very often extends the
whole length of the petal, and diminishes in brightness towards the
edges. The centre petals are very different from those we have ju st
described, and approach, in some respects, those of the Waratáh. although
by no means arranged with the same regularity as in the flowers
of th a t variety. They are all closely united a t the base, and rise nearly
erect, so th a t the centre of the flower is considerably elevated. Some
of them are more elongated than the rest, and have a tubular appearance,
from th e ir edges being rolled back, and compressed together.
The greater part, however, are nearly of equal height, and, for half their
length, are of a roundish oblong form, ending in a very narrow minute
point. They are seldom coloured, unless it is one or two of the large
tubular-like petals, which have the same blush tinge as those a t the
extremity of the flower. Occasionally, a few perfect stamina may be
observed, as well as the three united greenish styles; and from its seeds,
which sometimes attain maturity, some good varieties have been raised.
It is well represented in the works we have referred to, b u t in
neither of them is it stated when it was first introduced. In the list
inserted on the authority of th e late Mr. Lee, of Hammersmith, a t the
end of Mr. Curtis’s splendid Monograph, it is mentioned as having been
introduced for the Kew Garden, in 1812; b u t it undoubtedly was
known before th a t time, as it is one of the sorts enumerated in the last
edition of the Hortus Kewensis.