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P L A T E XXV.
CAMELLIA JAPONICA. Far. Flore alio plena.
Double white Camellia.
C L A S S XVL ORDER V.
MONODELPHIJ POLYANDRIJ. Threads united. Many Chives.
E S S E N T I A L GENEEIC CHAEACTEK.
CALYX imbricatus, polyphyllus: foliolis interioribus
majoribus.
EMPALEMENT tiled, of many leaves; the inner
leaves the largeft.
S P E C I F I C CHAEACTER OF VAR.
Camellia floribus ampliffimis, plenis albidis. |{ Camellia with large double white flowers.
THOUGH it may be conlidered by ibme, as deviating from the botanical rule we prefcribed to ourfelves,
at the outfet of this work, not to figure any flower, but what could be fyftematically afcertained;
double flowers, &c. having loft tliofe conftituent charafters neceflary to the Sexual Syftem; yet having
feen this moil delightful plant in bloom laft year, the temptation was too powerful to be relifted,
for giving a figure of it in the Botanift's Repofitory. This fine variety of the Camellia, was firft imported
from China about the year 1793, by Captain Connor of the Carnatie Eaft-indiaman, for the
gardens of the late I. Slater, Efq. a gentleman of moft indefatigable fpirit, for the introduaion of newplants
to this kingdoms indeed, it is to him we owe moll of the plants received from China within
thefe few years; he having procured a catalogue to be printed of all the defcribed Chinefe plants in
that language, with the defcriptions tranflated, and by various hands tranfmitted it to that country.
The fineft plants in this kingdom, of the double white Camellia, are now in the colleftion of Sir
Jofeph Banks, Bart. P. R. S. This, like the others of this genus, we may confider of fufficient hardinefs
to refill our winters; being a native of the Japanefe ifles, where, as well as in China, it was
feen by Thunberg. As yet (from its fcarcity) that cannot be afcertained; but from the eafy method
by which it is propagated by cuttings, we are in hopes it foon may. It is at prefent cultivated as a
hot-houfe plant, where certainly it will be always feen in the greatefl: perfeftion; the flowers being
of fo delicate and brilliant a white, their beauty is eafily deftroyed, even by watering. Flowers in
the autumnal months, and thrives beft in rich loam.