CAMELLIA JAPONICA IMBRICATA.
Crimson-shell Camellia.
Camellia Japónica Im b r ica ta . H o r t ic u l tu r a l T ra n s a c tio n s , v o l. 7.
AT folio 12, we had occasion to mention this variety, which is unquestionably
one of the best th a t has lately been imported from China.
I t is of vigorous growth, with large, thick, dark green leaves, usually
four inches and a h alf long, and from two, to two and a half inches
broad, waved and tapering to a sharp p o in t; the serratures are shallow
and blunt, and in the old leaves scarcely discernible, especially towards
the footstalk. The midrib is prominent and strong, particularly on the
under side, and much paler th an the leaves. The footstalks are also of
a palish green, th ick and strong, usually about three quarters of an inch
in length, nearly round, excepting on the upper side, which is slightly
channelled.
The flower buds are almost round, and very large; the scales are
also round, slightly pubescent, and of a palish green, becoming a little
brown a t the edges, ^ the flower opens, and tinged with red.
The flowers are upwards o f three inches in diameter, and extremely
regular in the ir formation, the petals being ranged one above another,
and gradually diminishing in size towards the centre, exactly in the
manner of the double-white. The colour is a fine crimson red, aud remarkably
shewy. The outer petals are nearly round, and are each
upwards of an inch in diameter. Wlien the flower begins to open, they
are all cupped or concave; but, as it expands, they become quite flat,
and those at the extremity are a little recurved.
The centre petals are somewhat pointed, and rise upright. They are
so numerous, and laid over one another with so much regularity, th a t not
a single stamen can be observed. Some of the petals between the centre
and circumference of the flower, have a faint white stripe, extending