Page 146 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

CHINESE PORCELAIN.
ii4
Convolvulus.—" Middle Kingdom," vol. i. p. 287 : " This
contains beautiful of
large family many species Ipomoea, culti-
the
vated for their flowers, especially found
Ipomosa quamoclit,
about the houses even of the poorest people. The convolvulus
is often around the of tanks and on
reptans planted edges pools,
the confines of the villages and fields, for the sake of its succulent
leaves."
"
Oleander.— Middle Kingdom," vol. i. p. 287: "The
narcotic of Apocynese contains several beautiful flower-
family
two of which, the oleander and are
ing plants, plurneria, highly
for their milkweed and the
prized fragrance ; while the yellow
red periwinkle are less conspicuous, but not unattractive,
members of the same group."
Azalea. — " Middle Kingdom," vol. i. p. 288 : " In the north-
eastern provinces the hills are adorned with azaleas of gorgeous
around and in Chusan. '
hue, especially Ningpo Few,' says
'
Mr. Fortune, can form any idea of the gorgeous beauty of
these azalea-clad hills, where on every side the eye rests on
masses of flowers of dazzling brightness and surpassing beauty.
Nor is it the azalea alone which claims our admiration—
clematises, wild roses, honeysuckles, and a hundred others
mingle their flowers with them, and make us confess that
China is indeed the " central flowery land." The azalea is a
great favourite, and the skill of gardeners has multiplied the
varieties almost as numerously as the camellia."
Kose Nos. 360, 361). — Both the wild and the cultivated
(see
are well known in China, the latter being largely employed by
the women in the decoration of their hair.
" "
Middle Kingdom," vol. i. p. 283 : The rose is a great
favourite among the Chinese, as with other nations, and is
cultivated. are mentioned, together
extensively Twenty species
with many varieties, as natives of the country."
Poppy. — Is grown for its flower, as well as for the pro-
duction of
opium.
"
Cockscomb.— Middle Kingdom," vol. i. p. 282: "The
cockscomb is much admired by the Chinese, whose gardens
furnish several splendid varieties."
In addition to these, we find on porcelain hydrangeas,
passion flowers, the house-leek, various water plants, ivy leaves,
and other is of old
creepers. Ivy symbolical age.