a i 
Tas. 5320. 
OREODAPHNE CALIFORNICA. 
Californian Mountain- Laurel. 
Nat. Ord. LAURINEZ.—ENNEANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Gen. Char. Hermaphrodite v. dioice v. polygame. Perianthium 6-partitum 
v. 6-fidum, subzequale; limbo demum evanescente. Stamina 9; anthere oblonge 
in filamentis angustatee, locelli quaterni, per paria unus super altero positi, an- 
therarum trium interiorum reversi. Staminodia quarti ordinis v. 0, v. subulata, 
aut saltem minus completa. Bacca perianthii tubo in cupulam profundam cras- 
samque converso truncatoque, magis v. minus inversa.—Inflorescentia paniculata 
». racemosa, plerisque densa, multis etiam brevis et thyrsoidea, axillaris v. umbel- 
lulata. Nees, Syst. Laur, 462. 
OREODAPHNE Californica ; foliis glaberrimis anguste oblongis oblongo-lanceola- 
tisve subacutis supra reticulatim venosis subtus glaucis, pendunculo com- 
muni axillari solitario cano-pubescente, floribus umbellulatis, umbellulis 
involucro globoso tectis, floribus viridibus pedicellis validis basi strigosis. 
OREODAPHNE Californica. Nees, 1. c. 463. 
TETRANTHERA (?) Californica. Hook. and Arn. Bot. Beech., p. 159. 
This fine evergreen and hardy tree is described by David 
Douglas as forming the greater part of the forests of Califormia, 
where it marks the transition between the gloomy pine-forests of 
North-West America and the tropical-like verdure of California. 
He further states that it is a tree 30-100 feet high, with a 
trunk 2-17 feet in circumference, smooth bark, and spreading 
branches. Douglas states further, that the whole plant is so 
strongly aromatic, that even during violent hurricanes he has 
been obliged to remove from under its shade—the odour (a most 
powerful camphor-like smell) being so pungent as to produce 
violent sneezing. ‘The hunters make a decoction of the leaves, 
which imparts warmth. The first discoverer of the species was 
the late Mr. Menzies, surgeon and naturalist to Vancouver’s Ex- 
pedition, from whom I received specimens collected upwards of 
half a century ago. 
JUNE lst, 1862. 
