146 
GLEANINGS AND ORIGINAL MEMORANDA. 
416. Dammaua obtusa. Lindley, A greenhouse Couiferous tree^ with very blunt oblong 
leaves. Native of the New Hebrides. Introduced by Mr. C. Moore. (Fig. 209.) 
Of this remarkable species a plant has been received alive. It was found on the island of Aniteura, one of the new 
Hebrides, by Mr. Moore, who describes it as a tree similar in appearance to the Kauri of New Zealand (Dami^iara Australis) , 
from which it is distinguished by the size and form of both 
leaves and cones. It grows to a great size, and produces a 
valuable timber, which is much used for ships' spars. The 
leaves are nearly four inches long by one and a quarter 
broad, very exactly oblong, with the end rounded off, without 
the least trace of point. The cone which I have received, 
and which seems to be full-grown, is three inches long by 
one and three quarters wide, somewhat cylindrical, with 
the ends rounded. The ends of the scales are convex, 
about four times as broad as long, and quite different in 
that respect from the spreading points of the New Zealand 
Kauri. — Journ, qj HorL Soc.y vol, vi. 
41 7 • Geissois RACEiLOSA. LubUlardiere. A 
magnificent hothouse tree with long racemes of 
crimson flowers. Inhabits New Caledonia. Belongs 
to the Order of Cunoniads. Introduced by Mr. 
C. Moore. 
This is, probably, the finest stove plant that has been 
introduced for several years. One plant has reached the 
Garden in good health. Mr. Moore describes it as '^ a native 
of the east coast of New Caledonia, in bare, exposed situa- 
tions. Leaves woolly and slightly serrated when young, 
entire and glaucous when the plant arrives at a flowering 
state. It is a small tree, bearing the flowers, which are of a 
crimson colour, on the old wood in great abundance." The 
dried specimens sent home have opposite trifoliolate leaves 
of a firm leathery texture, with obovate, very obtuse leaflets, 
from 6 to 7 inches long, and between 3 and 4 inches broad. 
Between each pair of leaves is a sessile, amplexicaul, smooth, 
roundish, leathery stipule. Tlie racemes of flowers are from 
8 to 12 inches long, with stalks even longer than themselves, 
and bearing a pair or two, or an additional whorl, of great 
glaucous stipules hke those belonging to the leaves. The flowers are rich crimson, packed closely like a Combretum, with 
globular buds, 4 leathery ovate sepals, shaggy with hairs in the inside, and 8 stamens with crimson filaments nearly an inch 
long. When in flower these must produce a gorgeous effect, at least equal to that of Comhretum yrandljlomm. From the 
above slight description, the botanical reader will see that this plant does not quite agree with Labillardiere's figure and 
description ; but I am unable to say that Mr. Moore's is a distinct species of Gcis&ois without the opportunity, which I do 
mstitutmg 
Jou7m. of Jlort. Soc, vol. vi. 
418. Acer circinatijm. FursL A most beautiful hardy deciduous tree from Oregon, with 
purple and white flowers, and leaves rich crimson in the autumn. Introduced by the Horticultural 
Society. (Fig. 210.) # 
There is probably no hardy tree in this country more eminently beautiful than this, if tree it can be called, for it seems 
rather a bush. In the spring, when its leaves unfold, they are preceded by long crimson leaf-scales, from two to four to 
each twig ; the leaves when Ujey first come are thin, semi transparent, and a clear light green ; at the same time peep out 
little tufts of purple flowers, witli white petals ; and in the autumn tlie plant seems on fire with the rich red of the 
foliage, more rose-coloured, and not less intense, than that of the most scarlet of Oaks. 
Sir William Hooker tells us that the species is found wild on the Great Rapids of the Columbia River, and is 
common along the north-west coast of North America, between lat. 43' and 49^ Mr. Douglas observes that it is 
forms aim 
skirts 
st impenetrable thickets. The branches are pendulous and crooked, often taking root, as is the case with 
many species of the genus Ficus. Bark smooth, green when young, white when fully grown. The wood is fine, white, 
and close-gramed, very tough, and susceptible of a good polish. From the slender branches of this tree the native tribes 
I 
