262 ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART Ill. 
variety, introduced from Paris about (?) 1830; and there is a plant 
of it in Lee’s Nursery, and another in the garden of the London 
Horticultural Society, named M. g. pra‘cox André. The flowers 
are as large as those of any of the varieties, and they are produced 
from the end of May till the approach of winter. 
Other Varieties. In consequence of the great demand for this species in the 
nurseries, many slight variations have been noticed by cultivators, and 
named as distinct. In the garden of the London Horticultural Society are 
the following names: — MV. g. vera, M. g. latifolia, M. g. exoniénsis var., 
M. g. rubigindsa, and some others, 
Selection of Varieties. M. g. obovata deserves the preference for the mag- 
nificence of its foliage; and M. g. exoniénsis, because it flowers early and ~ 
freely ; and because, from the fastigiate form of the tree, it is less liable 
to be injured by a heavy fall of snow; it seems also to grow faster than 
any of the other varieties. Where the tree is to be trained against a wall, 
IM. g. pre‘cox deserves the preference on account of the largeness of its 
flowers, and because they appear early, and continue during the whole 
summer. MM. g. angustifolia deserves culture on account of its foliage, which 
is quite distinct from that of all the other varieties. The species sold in 
the nurseries as the common broad-leaved Magnolia grandiflora is fre- 
quently raised from American, French, or Italian, seeds; and, hence, the 
plants, though they grow freely, do not flower for 20 or 30 years after being 
planted out. For this reason, when it is desired to have plants of the 
Magnolia grandiflora which will flower early, those plants which have been 
raised by layers from flowering trees ought to have the preference ; or the 
oamiaatt variety should be made choice of, because it is always raised from 
ayers. 
Description. In its native country, the M. grandiflora is a tree varying from 
60 ft. to 100 ft., or upwards, in height. According to Bartram, its head forms 
a perfect cone, placed ona straight clean trunk, resembling a beautiful column ; 
and, from its dark green foliage, “ silvered over with milk-white flowers,” it is 
seen at a great distance. In Europe, except in some situations in Spain and 
Italy, and a few in the south of England, the M. grandiflora is chiefly to be 
considered as a wall tree. There are standards of it, in the neighbourhood of 
London, of 20 or 30 years’ growth; but these are not common; and, on ac- 
count of the snow breaking down their branches, they require protection 
during winter. The leaves vary from 9 in. to 1 ft. in length, and from 3 in. 
to 4 in, or more in breadth; they are always smooth and shining, and perfectly 
entire on the edges. They bear a strong resemblance to those of the common 
laurel (Cérasus Laurocérasus) both in form and colour; and to those of the 
orange tree in colour and glossiness, but not in size. In most of the varieties, 
they are of a rusty brown underneath; and one takes its name from this ap- 
pearance, though it varies in intensity so much with soil and situation, as to seem 
rather a variation, than a variety which may be continued by propagation. 
In America, the flowers appear in May; in England, seldom before June; 
and they continue in some varieties till they are destroyed by frost. The 
flowers are produced on the summits of the last year’s shoots, and are 
from 6 in. to 8in., or even 10in., across. It is remarked by Collinson, of 
the flowers of this species of Magnolia, that, unlike those of all the other 
species (unless we except M. glatica, when it is planted in moist situations), 
they are produced throughout the whole season ; whereas those of all the other 
species are produced comparatively at once, and last only a short time. The 
odour of the flowers is exceedingly sweet, and overpowering to some when 
near, though it is agreeable at a distance. The seed of the species has in only 
one or two cases been ripened in England; but it ripens occasionally in 
Italy and in the neighbourhood of Paris (Bonp/. Malmaison, p. 54.) ; and 
young plants are frequently raised from seed brought from North America. 
_ Geography. Found in the forests of America, from North Carolina to 
Louisiana. Of all the trees of North America, east of the Mississippi, it is 
observed by Michaux, and in the Sylva Americana of Brown, the big laurel 
