Assa fœtida grows naturally near Gilan in Persia; and from seeds sent from thence to the Academy at St. Petersburgh plants were obtained, two of which were sent to Dr. Hope at Edinburgh, by Dr. Guthrie, to whom they had been presented by Professor Pallas, in whose herbarium we have seen specimens of it, but without fructification. One of these plants flowered and ripened seeds in the Botanic Garden at Edinburgh, and is described by Dr. Hope in the lxxvth vol. of the Philosophical Transactions, and a figure annexed, the only one hitherto published of the species; the Assa fœtida of Kæmpfer being undoubtedly a different plant. Our specimens were obligingly communicated by Dr. Williams from the Botanic Garden at Oxford; which, with that of Edinburgh above mentioned, the Cambridge Garden, the Physic Gardens at Chelsea, and Mr. Dickson’s private collection at Croydon, are the only gardens in Britain, as we are informed, that yet possess the plant. The gum exudes from the roots, which are tuberous and perennial, on the slightest incision being made; and every part of the plant, even to the extremities of the leaves, smells strongly of it. It is hardy enough to bear our climate, and even ripen its seeds in mild seasons. It is not improbable that at a future time we may be furnished with this valuable article of the Materia Medica, of English growth. The long list of its virtues mentioned by Dr. Woodville we need not here enumerate; its reputation as a cordial for low spirits alone, in these days, entitles it to notice. [Illustration] PLATE DLIX. CAMELLIA JAPONICA, _semi-duplex_. _Semidouble-flowered Camellia._ CLASS XVI. ORDER VI. _MONADELPHIA POLYANDRIA._ Threads united. Many Chives. ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER. CALYX imbricatus, polyphyllus: interioribus majoribus. EMPALEMENT tiled, many-leaved: the inner ones the largest. SPECIFIC CHARACTER. CAMELLIA floribus semi-duplicibus, staminibus divergentibus in petalos. CAMELLIA with semi-double flowers, the stamens growing into petals. REFERENCE TO THE PLATE. 1. The empalement. 2. The stamens growing into petals. 3. Seed-bud and pointals. 4. A transverse section of the seed-bud. * * * * * This Camellia with semi-double flowers was communicated to us by Mr. Davey, nurseryman and florist in the King’s Road, Chelsea; who informs us it was a cutting from a plant brought by a gentleman from the coast of China, and regarded as distinct in its flowers from all those in cultivation with us. It certainly has a very different appearance; and as every variety in this short but splendid genus is particularly admired and sought after, this one, which possesses parts of its botanic character entire, will doubtless be considered by the amateurs of plants in general as a variety equally interesting. [Illustration] PLATE DLX. VEREA ACUTIFLORA. _Pointed-flowered Verea._ CLASS VIII. ORDER IV.