London Horticultural Society, where one plant, on a wall exposed to the east, grows vigorously without any protection, and flowers freely in warm summers. On the whole, it is a very desirable species. It grows best in "a loamy soil, and is readily multiplied by layers.” (D. Don.) App. i. Doubtful Species of Clématis. In Sweet's Hort. Brit. are enumerated C. terniflòra Dec., said to be introduced (from what country is uncertain) in 1826; C. biternáta Dec., from Japan, in 1825; C. dahùrica Dec., from Dahuria, in 1822; C. diversifòlia Dec., of uncertain origin; C. japónica Dec., from Japan, in 1826; C. semitriloba Dec., from Spain, in what year is uncertain; C. viornoides Jac. (which we have considered as a synonyme of C. campaniflòra), in 1826. These species, or names, will be found followed by specific characters in De Candolle's Prodromus, and in Don's Miller; but, as they are not now to be met with in the gardens about London, we have deemed it not advisable to occupy our pages by describing them. App. ii. Anticipated Introductions. On recurring to the lists in the historical part of this work, and comparing the names there given with those of the species described in the foregoing pages, it will be found that we are already in possession of all the species of Clematis which are considered to be natives of Europe. Of those of Asia, C. nepalensis, pubéscens, vitifolia, and Buchananiana, according to the list in p. 173., may be expected from the Himalaya. From China, C. intricata (mentioned p. 176.) may be expected; and, from North America, there are the names C. holosericea, Walteri, and Catesbyàna, which are not in our Catalogues as already introduced. There are probably other species in the mountainous regions of Asia, and in China, which will endure the open air in England; and, as the seeds of the genus are light, not bulky, and very tenacious of life, the probability of their growth will amply repay travellers for the trouble of collecting them. GENUS II. ATRA'GENE L. THE ATRAGENE. Lin. Syst. Polyandria Polygýnia. Identification. Lin. Gen., p. 615.; Willd. Baum., p. 45.; Dumont, 4. p. 426.; Hayne Dend., 118.; Don's Mill., 1. p. 10. Synonymes. Clématis Lam, and Dec.; Atragene, Fr. and Ger. Derivation. The name of Atragene appears to be taken from two Greeks words; athros, pressed, and genos, birth; alluding, as it is supposed, to the manner in which the branches press against or clasp the trees that support them. It was first used by Theophrastus, and was by him applied to Clematis Vitálba L. Gen. Char. Involucre none. Sepals 4, somewhat induplicate in the bud. Petals numerous, shorter than the sepals. Cariopsides (carpels) terminated by a bearded tail. Cotyledons approximate in the seed. Climbing deciduous shrubs, with variously cut opposite leaves. (Don's Mill., i. p. 10.) Perhaps no genus was ever distinguished from another on slighter differences than those extant between Clématis and Atrágene. These are, the presence of petals in the flowers of the latter genus; though this is scarcely the case in A. ochoténsis; and, in the double-flowered variety of C. Viticélla, the metamorphosed stamens, which give the flower its fulness, are considered to be petals. Hence De Candolle regards the different species of Atragene only as a section of the genus Clématis (§ iv. Atrágene, Prod., i. p. 9.); but, as the genus is retained in Don's Miller, and is current among British and German cultivators, we have thought it best to preserve it. On the same principle (that of simplification), we prefer retaining the genera Mahònia, Sórbus, Malus, Abies, Làrix, Cèdrus, and others; though, in a strictly scientific point of view, they may not be valid. Description. The atragenes differ from the clematises in producing leaves and one flower from the bud contemporaneously; whereas in most clematises the flowers are produced upon wood developed previously to their appearance, and during the same season. Hence the winter buds of Atrágene are larger than those of Clématis, from their including the flower as well as the leaves of the year succeeding. In atragenes the leaves are less divided than in many of the species of Clématis, and they are always divided ternately. All the species of Atragene described in this work have petioles which not only clasp objects like those of Clématis, but maintain the prehension effected for more than the season, like the vine. All the species are extremely interesting from the beauty of their blossoms. Geography, History, &c. The hardy species are found in the south of Europe, one in Siberia, and one in North America. They are not numerous; and it appears to us doubtful, whether, in reality, more than two hardy species have been yet discovered. This genus is comparatively of recent introduction into British gardens; but, as it is ornamental, plants of it may be procured in most nurseries. The culture is the same as in Clématis, and generally by layers. 1. ATRA GENE ALPINA L. The Alpine Atragene. Identification. Lin. Sp., 764.; Willd. Baum., 45.; Dumont, p. 426.; Hayne Den., p. 116.; Don's Mill., 1. p. 10. Synonymes. Clématis cærulea Bauh.; Atragene austriaca Scop. and Bot. Mag.; Atragene clematides Crantz; Clématis alpina Mill. Dict., No. 9.; C. alpina Dec. Prod., 1. p. 10.; Atragène des Alpes, Fr.; Alpen Atragene, Ger. Engravings. Bot. Rep., t. 180.; Bot. Mag., t. 530.; and our fig. 25. Spec. Char. Peduncles 1-flowered, longer than the leaves. Leaves biternate; leaflets ovate-lanceolate, acuminated, serrate. Petals somewhat spathulate, blunt. (Don's Mill., i. p. 10.) Austria, Flowers blue. May to July. 1792.. Height 8 ft. Varieties. De Candolle mentions its varying with white flowers; and A. sibírica Lin., described below as a species with yellowish white flowers, appears to us nothing more than a variety of A. alpina. Description. The stems are numerous, branching, weak, forming knots at the joints where the leaves and flowers are protruded. One flower on a longish scape springs from between the leaves; the sepals are twice the length of the petals, and are blue on both sides. The petals are of a dirty white colour, and, in general, 12 in number. Geography, History, &c. Native of the mountains of the south of Europe, from the height of 2400 to 6000 feet, especially on a calcareous soil, in Austria, Carniola, Piedmont, Dauphiné, the Eastern Pyrenees, Hungary, &c. It ap pears to have been first remarked by Allioni and Jacquin, in Switzerland. The species is very ornamental, and is to be had in most nurseries. The price, in London, is 1s. 6d. a plant; at Bollwyller, ?; and at New York, ?. 2. A. SIBI RICA L. The Siberian Atragene. Identification. Sims, Bot. Mag., t. 1951.; Don's Mill., 1. p. 10. Synonymes. Atragene alpina Gmel. Sib., 4. p. 194., Pall. Flor. Ross., 2. p. 69.; Clématis sibírica Mill. Dict., No. 12., and Dec. Prod., 1. p. 10, Engravings. Sims, Bot. Mag., t. 1951.; Pall. Fl. Ross., 2. p. 69. t. 76., and our fig. 26. Spec. Char. Peduncles 1-flowered, almost equal in length with the leaves. Leaves biternate; leaflets oblong-lanceolate, acuminated, serrated. Petals emarginate at the apex. (Don's Mill., i. p. 10.) Siberia. Flowers white. June or July. 1753 Height 12 ft. Variety. A blue-flowered variety of this species is mentioned, in Bot. Mag., t. 1591. Description. There is a considerable similarity in this to the last, in foliage and habit of growth; but it is less robust and less branchy; its branches are more ligneouslooking, and the segments of the leaves longer. The calyxes of the flower are white, longer, and with the tips rather connivent than spreading. The whiteness of the calyxes seems to be partaken of by the bark and foliage, as these are of a lighter colour than in A. alpina, the calyxes of which are of a blue colour. The flowers of A. sibírica are longer than those of A. alpina and perhaps less numerous. Geography, History, &c. Found in the mountainous districts of Siberia, as far as the Eastern Ocean, covering the shrubs and underwood, much in the same 26 manner as Clématis Vitálba does in England. Pallas observes that it flowers profusely in June, and that in autumn it delights the eye with its clusters of white feathery seeds. The plant is not very common in British gardens, and has been chiefly cultivated by Messrs. Loddiges. 3. A. OCHOTE'NSIS Pall. The Ochotskoi Atragene. Identification. Don's Mill., 1. p. 10.; Sweet's Hort. Brit., p. 2. Synonymes. Atragene violacea Pall.; Clématis ochoténsis Poir.; and Dec. Prod., 1. p. 10. Spec. Char. Peduncles 1-flowered. Leaves biternate; leaflets oblong-lanceolate, acuminated, serrated. Petals few, linear. (Don's Mill.) Siberia. Flowers violet. From May to July. 1818. Height 12 ft. Description. The plant bears a strong resemblance to A. sibírica, of which it is probably only a va. riety. The flowers have four ovate mucronate sepals, which are downy in the margin. Petals none, or sometimes with the outer stamens abortive, a little elongated, and linear. Filaments velvety, a little shorter than the sepals. (Don's Mill., i. p. 10.) Geography, History, &c. Native of Siberia, towards the Ochotskoi Sea; and of Kamtschatka, between Ochotsk and Kantsch. It appears to have been introduced into England in 1818, but we have not seen it in cultivation. 4. A. AMERICA'NA Sims. The American Atragene. Identification. Sims, in Bot. Mag., t. 887.; Swt. Hort. Brit.; Don's Mill., 1. p. 10. Engravings. Bot. Mag., 887.; E. of Pl., 7965., and our fig. 27. Spec. Char. Peduncles 1-flowered; leaves whorled, in fours, ternate; leaflets stalked, cordate, lanceolate, acuminated, entire or somewhat lobed or serrated. Petals acute. (Don's Mill., i. p. 10.) North America. Flowers purplish blue. May to July. 1797. Height 15 ft. Variety. A. a. 2 obliqua Douglas MS. The oblique American Atragene.-Leaflets bluntly serrated. (Don.) Description. This species is distinguishable from all the other Clematídeæ described in this work, by the peculiarity of its leaves being disposed, not oppositely, in alternately decussating pairs, but in whorls of four. This is an anomalous characteristic, which De Candolle has expressed by his specific epithet verticillàris. flowers are large, of a palish purple, and less showy than those of A. alpina.. The Geography, History, &c. Found in North America, in shady places, on the sides of rivulets, climbing and creeping among loose rocks; at New York and in Pennsylvania; near the foot of the Blue Mountains; on the eastern declivity of the Rocky Mountains; and at Cape Mendocina, on the north-west coast. Douglas's variety is found on the eastern declivity of the Rocky Mountains, in valleys; and at Cape Mendocina, on the western coast. The species appears to have been introduced into England in 1797: it is found in some gardens and nurseries. The price, in London, is ls. 6d. a plant; at Bollwyller,?; and at New York, 1 dollar. 5. A. OCCIDENTA LIS Horn. The Western Atragene. Identification. Sprengel's Syst.; Swt. Hort. Brit.; Don's Mill. Spec. Char. Leaves opposite, ternate; leaflets nearly entire, shining; sepals ovate-lanceolate; flowers somewhat bell-shaped. (Don's Mill., i. p. 10.) Native country, and colour of the flower, unknown. 1818. Description, &c. We have never seen this species, nor is any thing stated in books respecting it, further than what we have given above. THIS section, or tribe, is the only one contained in De Candolle's second of his two divisions of Ranunculaceæ, namely, in Ranunculaceæ spùriæ, and is identical with that division. It is at once distinguishable from the other division, named Ranunculaceæ vèræ, by the character of the anthers opening to admit the escape of the pollen on the side next the ovaries. In the other, the anthers open on the side outward to the ovaries. De Candolle has questioned (Prod.) whether the Ranunculàceæ spùriæ, or Pæoniaceae, may not be a proper order. They differ from Clematídeæ in the character named, and, besides, in having the æstivation imbricate, and the carpels from one-seeded to many-seeded. The ligneous species are included in two genera, Pæònia and Xanthorhìza, and of the characteristics of these the following are contrasting ones: PEO`NIA L. Sepals 5, persistent. Petals 5 or more, orbicular, without claws. Stamens numerous. Ovaries 2-5, girded by a fleshy disk. Carpels each containing several seeds. XANTHORHIZA L. Sepals 5, deciduous. Petals 5, truncately 2-lobed, narrowed into a pedicel. Stamens 5-10. Ovaries 5-10, not girded by a fleshy disk. Carpels each containing 1-3 seeds. GENUS I. PEONIAL. THE PEONY. Lin. Syst. Polyándria Di-Pentagýnia. Identification. The term Pædnia was applied by the Greeks to these plants, which have continued to bear that name ever since. Synonymes. Peony, Piony; Pivoine, Fr.; Gichtterrose, and Päonie, Ger.; Rosa del Monte, Span.; Peonia, Ital. Derivations. The term Pæònia is said to have been given by Hippocrates and Dioscorides, in commemoration of Pæon, the physician who first used it in medicine. Mr. D. Don has stated (Sw. Br. Fl-Gard., 2d series, 238.) that it is much more probable that it is derived from Pæonia, a mountainous country of Macedonia, where some of the species grow wild. Most of the other European names are mere adaptations of the classical one, except gichtterrose, Ger., which signifies the gouty rose, from the knobby, or gouty, appearance of the roots of the herbaceous species. Gen. Char. Calyx of 5 leafy, unequal, permanent sepals. Petals from 5 to 10, somewhat orbicular. Stamens numerous. Disk fleshy, girding the ovaries. Carpels follicular, from 2 to 5, large, many-seeded, terminated with thick bilamellate stigmas. Seeds rather globose, shining. Leaves biternate or bipinnate. Flowers large, rosy, or rosy and white, usually with a strong disagreeable smell. (Don's Mill., i. 65., with adaptation.) Height from 3 ft. to 10 ft. Description. There is but one ligneous species, P. Moútan; but there are several varieties of this: all are undershrubs, which never attain a great height, and the wood of which always retains a herbaceous character, with a large pith. The roots are ramose rather than tuberous. Geography, History, &c. The ligneous species is found in China and Japan; in a wild state in the north of China, and on the mountains in the province of Ho-Nan; and it is cultivated in most gardens in both countries. Its first introduction into England was in 1789. The species and varieties are all beautiful; they are in cultivation in first-rate gardens, and are propagated in the principal nurseries of Europe and America. Spec. Char. P. MOU'TAN Sims. The Moutan, or Tree, Peony. Segments of leaves oval-oblong, glaucous underneath. Carpels 5, villose. (Don's Mill., i. p. 65.) Height 10 ft. Identification. Anderson, Linn. Trans.; Dec. Prod., 1. p. 65.; Don's Mill, 1. 65. P. M. 1 papaveracea Andrews. The Poppy-flowered Identification. Andr. Bot. Rep.; Don's. Mill. Engravings. Andr. Bot. Rep., t. 463.; Lodd. Bot. cab., 547.; Introduced in 1806. Mr. D. Don has remarked 28 form of the species, as the late Mr. George Anderson suggested. P. M. 2 variegata D. Don. The particoloured-petaled Moutan Peony. A low-growing bushy kind, branching from the ground, and scarcely woody. Flowers about 6 in. across. Petals white, stained with a deep rose-colour in various parts; the base marked with numerous radiating streaks of violet and purple. Anthers yellow. The Earl of Mount Norris, whose successful culture of the tree peony has been rewarded by the production of several splendid varieties, far excelling any of those imported from China, has been so fortunate as to raise this fine variety also, which is remarkable for its dwarf and almost herbaceous habit. It was raised from seeds of the P. M. papaveracea, which the Earl of Mount Norris supposes had been accidentally fertilised by some of the herbaceous species. All the varieties raised at Arley were from P. M. papaveràcea, and not from P. M. Bánksi, as the gardener had inadvertently stated. (D. Don, in Sw. Fl.-Gar., 2d ser., t. 238.; G. M., vol. x. p. 284.) P. M. 3 Bánksii Andrews. Banks's Moutan Identification. Anders. Lin. Trans.; Don's Mill. Engravings. Bot. Rep., t. 448.; Bot. Reg., 379.; Bot. P. M. 4 Hùmei Ker. Sir A. Hume's Moutan Peony.- Flowers double. of long petals rising from the middle of the flower. (Don's Mill., i. Engravings. Bot. Reg., 379. |