PLATE VII. 
MICHELIA CATHCARTIH, ay 7. 
Nat. Ord. MaGnoLraces. 
Arbor excelsa, foliis oblongo-lanceolatis acuminatis utrinque secus costam pilosis caterum glabris, floribus terminalibus 
amplis, sepalis cum petalis novem, staminibus gynoecium fere superantibus, carpellis dense spicatis.—LHook-. fil. et 
Thoms. Flora Indica, v. 1. p. 79. : 
Has. In sylvis Himalayz orientalis exterioris, regione temperata: Sikkim, alt. 5-6000 ped. 77. April. 
This is a very common tree on the outer range of the Sikkim-Himalaya, from 5-6000 feet, beyond 
which elevation it rarely ascends. It is conspicuous in April from the abundance of blossoms with which in 
some years the branches are covered, appearing as if snowed upon; as is the case with its allies, however, 
the trees flower much more freely at some seasons than at others. The leaves are only partially shed in 
winter, the new ones being put forth during or immediately after flowering, in April and May. It¢ has 
hitherto been found nowhere but in Sikkim, and bears the name of Mr. Cathcart, around whose residence at 
Leebong, near Dorjiling, some fine trees of it stood; these were about sixty feet high, and had straight 
trunks, and rather short branches. The wood is good, and used for household purposes by the Bengali 
carpenters, who give it the name of Champa, which is also commonly applied to several other species of 
Magnoliacee. 
The Michelia Cathcartii is well adapted for a large conservatory, being almost an evergreen, and always 
leafy ; it is not, however, so showy nor hardy as the I. excelsa, which is the common white-flowered species 
of Dorjiling, and is also found in Nipal and the Khasia mountains. MM. excelsa forms a tree as lofty as 
Magnolia Campbellit, bears white fragrant flowers, four to five inches in diameter, and is almost leafless in 
winter ; it would probably prove hardy in England. In the spring of 1849 it flowered so profusely when still 
almost leafless, that Sinchul mountain appeared for many days as if a snow-shower had fallen across a belt of 
1000 feet in height, just below the summit. The other six Indian species of Michelia are chiefly tropical or 
subtropical trees. 
Puate VIL. Fig. 1. Stamens. 2. Pollen. 3. Gynecium. 4. Carpel :—all magnified. 5. Ripe fruit :-—natural size. 6, 
7, 8. Seeds :—natural size. 9,10. Longitudinal sections of seeds. 11. Section of albumen. 12. Embryo :— 
all magnified. 
