LATELY INTRODUCED INTO ENGLAND. 265 



females indicate distinctions, Fitz-Roya can be said to differ little 

 from Thujopsis, except in the 3 terminal glands of the cone, and 

 in 3 only of the scales being fertile. 



Saxe-Gothcea conspicua, Fitz-Roya patagonica, Lihocedrus 

 tetragona, and Podocarpus nubicola are, no doubt, the four 

 mogt interesting Conifers for this country, after Araucaria imbri- 

 cata, which South America produces. 



4. FAGUS OBLIQUA, Mirbel 



This is, probably, a hardy evergreen tree. Mr. Lobb says, — 

 " It inhabits the slopes of the Andes, from the level of the sea 

 to the line of perpetual snow. It in general attains the height 

 of 40 to 50 feet, with a stem as straight and as smooth as the 

 Pine." According to Captain King, as quoted in Hooker's 

 ' Flora Antarctica,' this sort of Beech tree grows to a consider- 

 able size. The plant in cultivation grows freely in the open air 

 at Exeter, and lias a graceful appearance. In some respects the 

 foliage is more like that of a Hornbeam than a Beech. The 

 leaves are between lozenge shaped and lanceolate, serrated, with 

 strong straight veins, and are of a beautiful pale green colour. 



5. DESFONTAINEA SPINOSA, Ruiz and Pavon. 



There is so much resemblance between this plant and a common 

 Holly, that if its leaves were not opposite, it might be mistaken 

 for one when not in flower. Its blossoms, however, of which 

 one has been produced in Messrs. Veitch's Nursery, are almost 

 2 inches long, cylindrical, with a scarlet tube and a yellow 

 border. As it naturally produces a great abundance of these 

 brilliant blossoms, it must be a most charming plant when in 

 fine condition. According to Dr. Hooker, the plant extends 

 from the Andes under the equator, at the elevation of 12,000 

 feet, to the level of the sea, in Staten Island, in latitude 53° 

 south. According to Mr. Lobb, it seldom grows more than 5 

 feet high ; and, from the places in which it is found, he thinks it 

 may be hardy. It will be better, however, to consider it, in the 

 first instance, a plant that requires protection in winter. 



6. PHILESIA BUXIFOLIA, Lamarck. 



Among evergreen non-coniferous shrubs, this is probably the 

 finest which Messrs. Veitch have imported, even although it should 

 require a greenhouse. Dr. Hooker enumerates it " among the 

 handsomest plants of the Antarctic American Flora ; occurring 

 along the coast, from the Strait of Magalhaens to Valdivia." Mr. 

 Lobb writes of it thus : — 



