274 
several fine examples in the south-west, but I have seen none to 
equal the one here. Its head of branches is over 50 ft. high and 
about 40 ft. in diameter, and its trunk, which branches low down, 
measures 9 ft, in girth 18 in. from the ground. 
Near the greenhouses is a Black Italian poplar (Populus sero- 
tina), whose immense trunk is 18 ft. 2 in. in circumference; it is 
one of the largest in the kingdom. There are also some fine grey 
poplars (?. canescens), in the Arboretum. 
At the lower part of the garden there is a remarkable lime tree 
with very slender, pendulous branches, some of which are 20 ft. 
in length, yet no thicker at any part than a man’s finger. This 
character is most developed on the lower part of the tree, which is 
a lofty one with a trunk 14 ft. in girth. 
In the colfection of oaks founded 70 to 80 years ago there are 
now many notable specimens. Among evergreen species the rare 
Quercus acuta from Japan is a bush 12 ft. high and 18 ft. an 
diameter; it was introduced by Maries in 1878. Its ally, Q. 
glabra, also rare and Japanese, is 20 ft. high, 20 ft. through, with 
the main stem 2 ft. 2 in. in girth; both this and the Q. acuta are 
probably as large as any in the country. Of several forms of 
Holm oak (Q. Zlew), the most striking is the big-leaved variety 
latifolia, with leaves 54 in. long and 2} in wide; the tree itself 
has a trunk 10 ft. 10 in. in girth. Another variety here called 
**Q. crassifolia,’ but probably Q. Zlex var. Genabii, has rounded 
leaves not so long as those of var. latifolia, but 3 in. wide. fine 
Lucombe oak is 15 ft. in girth of trunk. Of the common oak 
there are many fine trees at Bicton; the noblest of them, which 
unfortunately collapsed some months ago, had a trunk 25 ft. 2 in. 
in girth at 3 ft. from the ground. There is also a fine speci- 
men of the pendulous Q. pedunculata. 
A snowdrop tree (Halesia carolina), of notable size has a trunk 
girthing 5 ft. Some interest has recently been taken in the living 
specimens of the tea plant (Camellia Thea), in this country (see 
“ Gardeners’ Chronicle,’’ Aug. 18, 1917); there are at least three 
at Bieton which have long been grown in the open air, the largest 
a bush 8 ft. high and 12 ft. through. A camphor tree (Cinna- 
momum Camphora), is 35 ft. high. 
Colletia cruciata is a remarkable shrub from Urueuay which 
assumes two distinct forms; one is armed—in fact, almost consists 
of—flat triangular spines 1} in. wide at the base; the other form 
has rather bodkin-shaped, comparatively slender spines } to 1} in. 
“pas The large-spined form was first raised at Bicton, and by 
aindley was named (. bictoniensis. A bush there is now 25 ft. in 
diameter. 
t would be possible to go on namine m: int 
trees and shru a such, i Shikisian aes Peis Bie ee 
high and in perfect health; ine 
18 ft. in diameter, much the largest I 
Euonymus pendulus, 8 ft. high and in 
with fragrant leaves and wood and 
