and frequently upwards of four inches in diameter. When they begin
to open, they are bell-shaped. The outer petals are all nearly of one size
and form, generally from twelve to sixteen in number, and ranged in
two distinct rows. They are each roundish cordate, about an inch broad
in the widest part, rather deeply divided at their extremity, and taper
to a narrow, thick, fleshy base. Tlie centre petals are numerous and
very peculiar. They are of the same deep red colour as the large outer
petals, but scarcely exceed h a lf their length, and rise upright in the
centre of the flower in a dense mass, o f'ab o u t an inch in diameter.
Each of them has the same sort of small rvhite tip, peculiai' to the centre
petals of the Wa ra táh; those a t the outside of the tuft, or mass, are
wedge-shaped, slightly incurved, and rather shorter than those in the
centre: the latter are very often faintly striped with white, and irregular
in their form, being b u t p artly converted into petals. Upon the whole,
however, we may safely say, that, in point of size, and brilliancy of
colour, the flowers of the present variety will vie with any which has
been introduced.