BIOTA. 



Jlabitat. — The Old Ileniispliere. 

 Cones. — Subglobular, with thick scales, 



ligneous at maturity. 

 Seeds. — Ovoitl, or conical, or scarcely 



compressed, bard, always unfurnished 



with winery. 



Fie 3. 



TnUTA. 



Habitat.— l!\iQ New World. 

 Cones. — Elongated, subcylindrical, with 

 thin, dry, and almost cork-like scales. 

 Seeds. — Slightly comjtresscd, almost 

 cork-like, always furnished with a 

 membranous wing. 

 Lastly, if we compare the characteristics of vegetation, we shall find that the 

 species of these two genera are very readily classified, 

 and that botanists were correct in separating them 

 generically. 



Fructification is, undoubtedly, the most important 

 of all characters in establishing the generic differences 

 of plants, and that which leads to a most exact and 

 critical classification. The Taxus adpressa (Fig. 3) 

 is a manifest proof of the truth of this remark. Con- 

 sidered by some as belonging to the genus Cephalo- 

 taxus, and, by others, as a Taxus, it, in this way, wan- 

 dered between two genera, although intelligent horti- 

 culturists had practically recognized its relations with 

 the common yew, of which, perhaps, it is only a pecu- 

 liar form. This degree of affinity, or i)arentage, had 

 been developed by engrafting. In fact, when the 

 CepUalo-iaxus is engrafted on the Taxus, it either 

 does not take, or if it does, languishes, and lives but 

 a short time. But, if this pretended Cephalo-taxus is 

 inserted in a yew, it takes readily, and may flourish 

 for years. This mark of organic affinity refers it 

 most evidently to the Taxus, and the accompanying 

 figure leaves no doubt on the subject ; the Cephalo-taxus adpressa of our nurseries 

 should, therefore, most certainly bear the name of Taxus. Carriere. 



THE LOYE OF NATURE. 



BY C. L. SPENCER. 



Beautiful sentiments, expressed in fitting language, take a strong hold upon 

 the heart, and are never entirely obliterated from the memory. The opening 

 Hues of our own Bryant's Thanatopsis, beautiful and truthful, as every lover of 

 nature must acknowledge, furnish food for cheerful thought and heart-ennobling 

 reflection : — 



" To liim wlio ill the love of nature holds 

 Communion with her visible forms. 

 She speaks a vai-ious language." 



