PÆONIA caule suffruticoso ramoso: folia alternatim bipinnata, subtus glauca: petiolis longis, canaliculatis, amplexicaulibus: floribus semi-duplicibus, albis, ad basin eleganter purpureo radiatis: capsula orbiculata, continens sex loculamenta, in quibus singulis sunt duo semina. PÆONY with a shrubby stem branching beneath: leaves alternately two-winged, and glaucous beneath, with long footstalks, channelled, and embracing the stem. Flowers semi-double, white, but elegantly radiated at the base with a purple colour: capsule orbicular, containing six cells, with two seeds in each. REFERENCE TO THE PLATE. 1. The seed-vessel. 2. The same cut transversely. For this beautiful species of Pæonia we are indebted to Lady Hume, in whose select collection at Wormley-bury, Herts, it flowered for the first time in this country. When we figured the fine purple variety, we little thought of having so soon to compare it with a rival of such magnitude, and of equal beauty. The bright radiated purple at the base is a great relief to the surrounding whiteness of the petals, that would otherwise stand in much greater need of the assistance of art for a strength of shadow, that would unavoidably injure their delicacy. The more we become acquainted with this attractive genus, the greater latitude of growth we find attached to it, which appears to defy all systematic rule, varying in some species from Digynia, or two pointals, up to six or more. The present one differs more than all the rest, having six pointals and seed-buds attached together, and enshrined within a globular exterior, resembling a Poppy, and from whence we have drawn its specific title; for, as a distinct species it may certainly be considered with great propriety; and most likely the distinction will by some be thought of sufficient consequence to license a generic division: but in a genus so mutable, were the alteration still greater, whilst it could be recognised as a Pæony, we should regret to meet it under any other title. [Illustration] PLATE CCCCLXIV. DIOSMA OVATA. _Oval-leaved Diosma._ CLASS V. ORDER I. _PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA._ Five Chives. One Pointal. ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER. COROLLA 5-petala. Nectaria 5 supra germen. Caps. 3. s. 5, coalitæ. Semina tecta. BLOSSOM. Five petals. Five nectaries above the seed-bud. Seed-vessels 3 or 5, joined together. Seeds covered. SPECIFIC CHARACTER. DIOSMA ovata, foliis alternis, oppositis, odoris, supra glabris, infra punctatis, patentibus: floribus plerumque duobus, axillaribus, in medio ramulorum, albis. Caulis erectus: ramis simplicibus. DIOSMA with oval leaves, alternate, opposite, and full of scent, smooth above, dotted beneath, and spreading. Flowers grow mostly two together from the axillæ of the leaves, about the middle of the branches, and are white. Stem upright. Branches simple.