A list of the species, and the most striking of what may be called the "botanical" varieties, is given below. DAHLIA arborea (tree-like). A synonym of DAHLIA excelsa anemonaeflora. DAHLIA bidentifolia (bidentate-leaved). A synonym of DAHLIA coccinea. DAHLIA coccinea (scarlet). fl.-heads with scarlet ray-florets and yellow disk; outer involucral bracts five, reflexed; inner series numerous. Autumn. l. pinnate, scabrous. h. 3ft. to 4ft. SYNS. DAHLIA bidentifolia and Georgina Cervantesii. (B. M. 762.) DAHLIA crocata (yellow). A synonym of DAHLIA variabilis. DAHLIA excelsa (tall). fl.-heads pale lilac-purple, 4in. across. l. doubly pinnatipartite, 2 1/2ft. long by about 2ft. broad. Stem perennial, very thick, becoming woody, growing to the height of 20ft. and upwards, less branched, and assuming more the aspect of a tree than any other species. (B. 88.) DAHLIA excelsa anemonaeflora (Anemone-flowered). fl.-heads 4in. across; ray florets soft lilac, flat; disk of lilac or yellow, tubular florets. l. large, bipinnate; petioles broadly connate. h. 12ft. to 20ft. Mexico, 1883. This variety requires to be grown in a cool conservatory. (B. ii. 88; G. C. n. s., xix., p. 60.) SYN. DAHLIA arborea. DAHLIA glabrata (smooth). A synonym of DAHLIA Mercki. DAHLIA gracilis (slender). fl.-heads brilliant orange-scarlet; involucral bracts small, narrow. Summer and autumn. l. bipinnate, glabrous; leaflets ovate, coarsely crenate. h. 4ft. to 5ft. (R. G. 861.) DAHLIA imperialis (imperial).* fl.-heads white, tinged with lilac, and streaked with blood-red at the base, drooping, bell-shaped; disposed in large spreading panicles, 3ft. to 5ft. across. h. 10ft. to 12ft. Mexico, 1863. This remarkable and beautiful species, from its not flowering till late in the autumn, does not fully perfect itself out of doors, and should, consequently, be removed to the greenhouse or conservatory early in October. (B. M. 5183.) DAHLIA Juarezii (Juarez's).* Cactus Dahlia. fl.-heads brilliant scarlet; florets overlapping each other, and varying in length, thus giving the flower an irregular appearance. h. 3ft. A form which originated under cultivation in Mexico. Very distinct and remarkable; well worth the most extensive cultivation. DAHLIA Mercki (Merck's). fl.-heads white and yellow, or lilac and yellow, small, with a good outline. October. h. 2ft. to 4ft. 1839. SYN. DAHLIA glabrata., for which we are indebted to Mr. T. S. Ware. (B. M. 3878.) DAHLIA Mercki Decaisneana (Decaisne's). fl.-heads purple, with a golden disk, small, numerous. l. pinnate, divided. h. 3ft. (R. H. 1864, 31.) DAHLIA superflua (superfluous). A synonym of DAHLIA variabilis. DAHLIA variabilis (variable). fl.-heads very variable. August and September. 1789. This is probably the first species introduced, and whence by far the majority of forms now very common, have originated. In the wild state, the central, or disk florets are said to be yellow, small, and tubular, and the marginal, or ray florets, only conspicuous and highly coloured in some shade of scarlet. SYNS. DAHLIA crocata, DAHLIA superflua. DAHLIA viridiflora (green-flowered). fl.-heads pure self-green, Pompone size, double, and full-petalled. A curious monstrosity, of garden origin. VARIETIES. Subjoined is a large selection of the best garden Dahlias cultivated at the present time, including many of the new ones distributed in 1884. As good varieties are numerous, and additional improved forms in some way obtained annually in each section, it is more than likely that others of equal merit have been omitted. The varieties with single flowers being now so numerous, a classification has been arranged and adopted by Mr. T. S. Ware, of Tottenham, who makes these plants a speciality (and to whom we are indebted for Figs. 607 to 611), for grouping them into four sub-divisions or classes, according to the shape of the flowers. Fig. 607 represents two varieties of the section with Stellate or Star-like flowers; these are rather small, but very floriferous, and of a dwarf bushy habit. Another form is shown in Fig. 608, where the flowers are Flat. Fig. 609 shows those with beautifully Reflexed flowers, that are invariably solid and massive, and well adapted for exhibition. The fourth, and last, group is represented in Figs. 610 and 611, where the flowers are only Slightly Reflexed; these come between the Flat and the Much Reflexed sections, and include some fine varieties for exhibition. The figures are only intended to represent the classification of the flowers according to their shape, and do not refer to the colours, as a great diversity of these is included in each group. Many are self-coloured; others, which are edged, blotched or striped, are termed Fancy varieties of the Single-flowered class. Show Varieties. ACME OF PERFECTION, primrose-yellow; ALEXANDER CRAMOND, maroon, shaded crimson, good; ARBITRATOR, delicate fawn; AURORA, golden-buff, distinct; BESSIE, lilac, full; BURGUNDY, dark puce, suffused light purple, good; CARDINAL, rich scarlet, full, of fine form; CHARLES LIDGARD, deep yellow, edged crimson; CHARLES TURNER, yellow, edged and tipped crimson; CHARLOTTE DORLING, large white, tipped; CONDOR, peculiar colour, buff, shaded orange; COUNTESS OF LONSDALE, rosy-lilac; CREAM OF THE VALLEY, cream tinged salmon, fine form; CRITERION, bright rose, good; CROWN PRINCE, pale buff, full; DAUNTLESS, dark orange, shaded; DELIGHT, creamy-white, edged purple; DEWDROP, deep primrose; DUKE OF ALBANY, rich crimson, fine form; EDWARD PURCHASE, bright crimson; ETHEL BRITTEN, blush-white, edged purple; FLAG OF TRUCE, white, tipped lilac; FRANK RAWLINGS, purplish-magenta, fine flower; GEORGE RAWLINGS, dark maroon, finely cupped; GOLDFINDER, yellow, tipped red; GRAND NATIONAL, yellow, very fine, new; HERBERT TURNER, white, tinged lilac; HOPE, bright rosy-lilac, large; H. W. WARD, yellow, heavily edged with crimson; IMPERIAL, deep purple, shaded lilac, fine form; JAMES COCKER, large, purple, very fine; JAMES VICK, purplish-maroon; JOHN COCKER, glossy black; JOHN NEVILLE KEYNES, fine yellow; JOHN WYATT, deep scarlet; JULIA WYATT, creamy-white, large and good; LEAH, golden-yellow; LILLIE WARD, white, tinged pale rose; MAJOR CORNWALLIS WEST, scarlet, shaded orange; MRS. GLADSTONE, delicate soft pink, new and very fine; MRS. HARRIS, white, edged pale lilac, good; MRS. HENSHAW, white, large and full; MRS. P. WYNDHAM, yellow, edged rosy-purple; MRS. W. HASKINS, fawn, distinct and good, new; MURIEL, fine clear yellow, new; OVID, rich purple, extra good; ROSETTA, large purple; RUBY GEM, ruby-crimson, small yellow tip, new; SHIRLEY HIBBERD, dark crimson; STATESMAN, purplish-crimson, new; SUNBEAM, bright clear buff, good form; THOMAS GOODWIN, dark maroon; WALTER H. WILLIAMS, bright scarlet, large and fine; WILLIAM RAWLINGS, rich crimson-purple. Fancy Varieties. ALDERMAN, lilac, striped and spotted purple, new; ANNIE RAWLINGS, pure white, striped lake; ARABELLA, buff, scarlet and crimson stripes, new; BARNABY RUDGE, fawn, spotted crimson; BEAUTY, yellow, tipped rose; CHARLES WYATT, rose, flaked crimson; CHORISTER, fawn, striped crimson and rose; DRAGON, yellow, striped bright crimson; DUCHESS OF ALBANY, pale orange, rich crimson stripes, new; FANNY STURT, red, tipped white; FLORA WYATT, orange, flaked red; FREDERICK SMITH, lilac, striped purple; GEORGE BARNES, pale lilac, striped crimson; HENRY GLASSCOCK, buff, striped crimson; HERCULES, yellow, striped crimson; HUGH AUSTIN, orange-scarlet, striped dark red; JAMES O'BRIEN, yellow, crimson and rose stripes; JESSIE McINTOSH, red, distinct white tips; JOHN FORBES, fawn-colour, striped maroon, fine; JOHN LAMONT, maroon, striped black; LADY ANTROBUS, red, pure white tips; LOTTY ECKFORD, white, striped purple, fine form, new; LUCY FAWCETT, pale yellow, spotted crimson; MADAME SOUBEYRE, rosy-lilac, striped carmine; MANDARIN, yellow, mottled crimson; MISS L. LARGE, puce, striped and spotted with crimson; MONARCH, deep crimson, tipped white; MRS. SAUNDERS, yellow, tipped white, extra fine; ORACLE, deep yellow, striped crimson; PEACOCK, dark maroon, tipped white, large; PROFESSOR FAWCETT, dark lilac, striped chocolate; QUEEN MAB, red, tipped and edged white; R. DEAN, yellow, flaked crimson; REBECCA, lilac, striped crimson, new; REGULARITY, blush-white, striped crimson; REV. J. B. M. CAMM, yellow, flaked red, large; ROBERT BURNS, lilac, flaked dark crimson; SAM BARTLETT, blush, striped crimson; WILLIAM ADY, lilac, striped purple, fine; WIZARD, fawn, striped maroon, tipped white. Bedding and Bouquet or Pompone Varieties. CAMELLIAE-FLORA, pure white, rather large; COMTE VON STERNBERG, yellow, tipped white, small; CRIMSON BEAUTY, maroon-crimson CUPID, white, suffused with rose; DORA, primrose and white, good habit; DOVE, white, tipped rosy-lilac, pretty; E. F. JUNGKER, amber, compact flower; FAIR ELLEN, white, shaded purple; FLORA MACDONALD, pale primrose; GEM, rich scarlet; GEORGE THOMPSON, pure yellow, free; GERMAN FAVOURITE, crimson-lake, deep edge; GOLDEN NUGGET, bright golden-yellow; HEBE, blush, edged rose; JOHN SANDY, buff, tipped red; LADY BLANCHE, pure white, small, fine for cutting; LEAH, yellow, good; LITTLE ARTHUR, bright orange-scarlet; LITTLE BEAUTY, lilac, tipped white; LITTLE DEAR, blush white, tipped rose; LITTLE WONDER, scarlet; MDLLE. VALENTINE FACONET, white and purple, striped; NEMESIS, maroon, tipped white; NORTHERN LIGHT, scarlet, showy; PRINCE OF LILIPUTIANS, deep maroon, very fine; PURE LOVE, pale lilac, extra good; THE PET, dark maroon, white tip; TITANIA, small yellow, free, and good for cutting; TRIUMPH, scarlet; WHITE ASTER, white, free and good. Single Varieties, including a selection from all the various-shaped flowers. ARGUS, deep magenta, shaded rose; B. BARKWAY, deep scarlet, broadly edged orange, new; BEACON, flery-crimson, very fine BEAUTY OF CAMBRIDGE, flery-crimson, fine flower; BEDDING GEM, orange-scarlet, dwarf, very floriferous, new; BRIDAL WREATH, creamy-white; CETYWAYO, rich blackish-maroon, new; CHERRY, bright cherry, shaded rose; CHRISTINE, pale silvery-pink, good; DANGER, glowing scarlet, small flower DARKNESS, intense dark mulberry, distinct; DR. MOFFAT, dark maroon, margined crimson, new FRANCIS FELL, bright rosy-purple; FREEDOM, scarlet-lake, new and fine GEORGE CLARK, deep crimson, edged pale purple, extra fine HARLEQUIN, deep rose, centre band of purple in each petal; H. W. PETITT, bright purplish-rose, edged lilac; IMOGENE, primrose, shaded lilac; LUCY IRELAND, rich magenta, suffused crimson, very fine LUTEA GRANDIFLORA, rich yellow, large and free; MAGPIE, cerise, tipped white, new and distinct, good MAUVE QUEEN, rich mauve, fine large flower; MILLIE GIBBS, white, edged pale yellow, new; MRS. BOWMAN, purple-magenta extra fine, new; MRS. CASTLE, intense lake, a full circular flower, new; MRS. GOLDRING, rich rosy-pink, large flower; NEGRESS, dark maroon, almost black, distinct foliage; NELLIE WARE, purplish-crimson, good form, new; PARAGON, deep maroon, good old variety; SCARLET DEFIANCE, rich scarlet, fine flower; TERRA-COTTA, distinct colour, like terra-cotta; THALIA, rich amaranth, dwarf; T. S. WARE, orange-scarlet, large circular flower, new; UTILITY, orange, suffused scarlet VICTOR STRANDBERG, rich scarlet, dark centre, new; WHITE PET, small flower, white, suffused pale rose, fine for cutting WHITE QUEEN, white, tinged rose, very free; WHITE STAR, white, slightly shaded rose, fine form; WILLIAM CULLINGFORD, rich yellow. Cactus and Semi-Cactus Varieties, of which DAHLIA Juarezii is the type. ANNIE HARVEY, scarlet-crimson, small flowers, very effective, new; COCHINEAL, rich crimson, very fine for cutting, new; CONSTANCE, pure white, free-flowering, most useful; FIRE KING (Glare of the Garden), dazzling scarlet, very floriferous; PARROT, intense orange-scarlet, small, good for cut flowers. Varieties. The Dahlia has been greatly improved during the last few years--in fact, the progress lately made has been astonishing. Since Vol. I. was published quite a transformation has been effected in the Cactus and Semi-Cactus varieties. The single varieties have also become very popular. The following are selected lists of the new varieties in the various sections: Show Varieties. BENDIGO, purplish-crimson; COLONIST, chocolate and fawn, distinct colour; CRIMSON KING, rich crimson-scarlet; DEFIANCE, deep scarlet; DIADEM, crimson; ECLIPSE, orange-scarlet; ETHELWIN, dark purple, constant; FLORENCE, deep yellow, handsome form; GOLDEN EAGLE, yellow, tipped scarlet; ILLUMINATOR, dark red, shaded orange; KING OF PURPLES, rich purple, well-formed flowers; LUSTROUS, scarlet-crimson shade, good form; MAJOR CLARKE, dark chocolate, good form; MRS. EDWARD MANLEY, primrose; MRS. FOSTER, fawn ground, shading to salmon and mauve, large flowers; MRS. JAMES GRIEVE, yellow, finest form; MRS. PETER MCKENZIE, yellow ground, carmine shaded and edged; NELLIE CRAMOND, cerise, with purple; NELLIE TRANTER, clear yellow, excellent form; PRIMROSE DAME, primrose-yellow; PURPLE PRINCE, rosy-purple, large; QUEEN OF THE BELGIANS, pink, with cream; ROBINA, deep rose, very bright; ROYALTY, pale yellow, tinged with purple; R. T. RAWLINGS, clear yellow, good form; SUNLIGHT, bright scarlet, large; THE AMEER, dark maroon, shaded rosy-purple; VICTOR, dark maroon, constant; WALTER, deep crimson and maroon; WILLIE GARRETT, cardinal-red, well-formed flowers. Fancy Varieties. DOROTHY, fawn, flaked deep maroon; EDMUND BOSTON, orange, heavily flaked and striped crimson; FRANK PEACE, rose, striped crimson; HARTIE KING, orange, with scarlet and crimson stripes; MAGNET, densely striped rich purple; MARGERY, buff, striped crimson and purple; PLUTARCH, buff ground, striped crimson; PRINCE HENRY, lilac, striped purple, large. Bouquet Varieties. CHAMELEON, deep yellow, edged lake; DANDY, crimson-purple, small; DON JUAN, maroon, small, neat; ECCENTRIC, chestnut, splashed white, creamy-yellow and chestnut, variable; GAZELLE, pale yellow ground, edged rosy-magenta; GRACE, cerise, shaded lilac, very free-flowering; HECTOR, scarlet, very bright; IOLANTHE, orange and buff, tipped white; ISEULT, clear yellow, very pretty; JANET, salmon, distinct colour; LADY JANE, pale purple, good form; LEILA, reddish-buff, tipped white; MIGNON, crimson-scarlet; WILLIAM CARLISLE, blush, tipped rosy-crimson. Single Varieties. BRIGHTNESS OF SUNNINGDALE, scarlet-crimson; CHILWELL BEAUTY, yellow, striped scarlet; DINAH GRUILLEMANS, rosy-lake, lemon-scented; ECLIPSE, scarlet-crimson and orange; EXCELSIOR, white, lilac edge; FAUST, reddish-crimson, well-formed flowers; FLORRIE FISHER, deep mauve, white centre; HUNTSMAN, orange-scarlet; J. H. BRAZENDALE, chocolate, edged magenta; JOHN DOWNIE, crimson; LORD IDDESLEIGH, crimson-maroon, dark centre; LOTTIE HIGGINS, rosy-purple, lemon centre; MADAME CARNOT, yellow, striped crimson; MARIE LINDEN, scarlet, edged crimson; MAUDE MILLETT, pink, white centre; MISS BATEMAN, carmine-red; MISS GORDON, purplish-crimson; MISS HENSHAW, pale yellow, white margin; MISS JANSON, purplish-magenta; MISS LOUISE PRIOR, velvety-crimson, flaked lake; MISS ROBERTS, bright yellow; MONTE CRISTO, rosy-scarlet; MR. RILEY, purplish-magenta; MR. ROSE, bright rose, striped white; MRS. BARKER, buff, shaded red; MRS. CLEVELAND, terra-cotta red; MRS. DANIELS, white, edged crimson; MRS. JOHN LAMONT, white, purplish-rose edge; MRS. ABERY, pure white, edged crimson; NEW YEAR, rosy-lake; PENELOPE, rose-lake, shaded salmon-pink; ROBERT HUTCHINSON, crimson, purple tinge; ROBERT TODD, yellowish-buff, striped scarlet; VICTORIA, crimson; W. T. BASHFORD, rosy-purple; YELLOW GEM, clear yellow, fine form. Cactus and Semi-Cactus Varieties. CHARMING BRIDE, white, tipped pink; EMPRESS OF INDIA, crimson, shaded maroon; FLAMBEAU, scarlet, shaded orange; HENRY PATRICK, white, recurved petals; KING OF THE CACTUS, large, reddish-crimson; LADY ARDILAUN, scarlet and crimson, fine; LADY KERRISON, yellow, edged crimson; LADY M. MARSHAM, deep salmon; LILIAN ABERY, yellow, red edge, very pretty; SIR TREVOR LAWRENCE, cherry-red, purple shade; WILLIAM DARVILL, purplish-magenta; WILLIAN PEACE, bright yellow; WILLIAM RAYNER, salmon-buff; YELLOW A. W. TAIT, bronzy-yellow; YELLOW JUAREZII, pale yellow; ZULU, purple-maroon.