SMALL MAGNOLIA. 63 
The Magnolias are found in the class Polyan- 
dria and order Polygynia ; the Coadunate of Lin- 
neus and Magnolia of Jussieu.) /4)4.,, ee 
This genus has a calya of three leaves, a ¢o- 
rolla of six petals or more ; capsules two-valved, 
imbricated, forming a cone ; seeds berried, pendu- 
lous. 
The present species has oval leaves, glaucous 
underneath ; and obovate petals, narrowed at base. 
The bark of the young twigs is of a bright, 
smooth green, with rings at the insertion and scars 
of the Jeaves. The leaves are scattered, petioled, 
regularly elliptical, entire, and glabrous. Their 
under side, except the midrib, is of a beautifully 
pale, glaucous colour, by which the tree may be 
distinguished at a distance. When young, this 
surface is covered with a silken pubescence. Flow- 
ers solitary, terminal, on a short, incrassated pe- 
duncle. Calyx of three spatulate, obtuse, concave 
segments. Corolla of from eight to fourteen obo- 
yate, obtuse, concave petals, contracted at their 
base. ‘The stamens are very numerous and in- 
-gerted in common with the petals on the sides of 
a conical receptacle. Filaments very short; an- 
thers linear, mucronated, two-celled, opening in- 
wardly. Germs oval, collected into a cone, each 
one divided by a furrow and tipt with a brownish. 
