CHAP. VIII. BERBERA CEH. MAHO‘NIA. 309 
characters ascribed to this genus, and those ascribed to Bérberis, as ex- 
hibited in p. 229., are not sufficient to keep them separate as genera; yet 
the habits of the species of one, as to the mode of growth, foliage, and in- 
florescence, are so distinct from those of the other, as to induce us to adopt 
Mahénia. The species in British gardens are all of comparatively slow 
growth, and admit but of slow multiplication by layers, and scarcely at all 
by cuttings. Some of them, however, seed freely, and are readily propagated 
in that way. Four species have been introduced, and they are described 
by Dr. Lindley, in the Penny Cyclopedia, as being included in a section of 
the genus Bérberis. 
a J). M. rascicuta‘ris Dec. The crowded-racemed Mahonia, or Ash Berberry. 
Bl Tro Hook. Fl. Bor. Amer., 1. p. 28.; Dec. Prod., 1. p. 108., and Syst., 2. p. 19. ; Don’s Mill., 
Satanic Bérberis pinnata Lag., Bot. Reg., t. 702., and Bot. Mag., 2d edit. vol. 1. t. 88. ; B. fascicu- 
laris Pen. Cyc. In the same work it is stated that Mahdnia diversifdlia is the same as this 
species ; though it is figured and described by Sweet, as a species from Monte Video : see Swt. Br. 
Fil.-Gar., 2d series, t. 56. 
Engravings. Ker. Bot. Reg., t. 702.; Kth. Nov. Sp. Amer., 5. p. 71. t.434.; Bot. Mag., t. 2396.; and 
our fig. 56. 
Spec.Char.,§c. Leaves 
of 3—6 pairs with 
an odd one, the low- 
est pair near the 
base of the petiole. 
Leaflets ovate-lan- 
ceolate, rather dis- 
tant, one-nerved, 
spiny-toothed, with 
4 or 5 teeth on 
each side. Racemes 
nearly erect, much 
crowded. Filaments 
bidentate. (Don’s 
Mill., i. p. 118., 
adapted.) A very 
handsome tall ever- 
green shrub, which 
attains, in British 
gardens, especially 
if against a wall, the 
height of 8 or 10 ft. 
and produces its 
yellow flowers in 
abundance, from the 
middle of March to the middle of May. “ Perhaps the most showy of all 
the family.” (Bot. Mag., 2d edit. vol.i. p.48.) It is found in the moun- 
tainous parts of California and Mexico. It is readily distinguished at a 
distance from the other mahonias, by the glaucous green and subdued tone 
of colour of its leaves; those of all the others being of a darker green, and 
more or less shining. The plant is rather too tender to be treated as a 
bush, unless some slight protection be given to it during very severe frosts ; 
but it will grow freely against a wall with scarcely any protection. There 
is a fine specimen of it in the London Horticultural Society’s Garden, more 
than 8 ft. high. In the nurseries, plants are at present rather scarce, and cost 
from 5s. to 7s. each. 
# 2. M. Aquiro‘tium Nutt. The Holly-leaved Mahonia, or Ash Berberry. 
Identification. Nutt. Gen, Amer., 1. p. 212. ; Dec. Prod., 1. p. 108.; Don’s Mill., 1. p, 118. 
S yme. Bérberis Aquifdlium Ph. and Pen. Cyc. 
ravings. Pursh. Fl. Amer. Sept., 1. t.4.; Bot. Reg., t. 1425. ; and our fig. 57. 
Varieties. One variety, M. A. nutkdna Dec., is mentioned by De Candolle (Prod.,i. p. 108.) ; 
and another, found at the junction of the Portage river with the Columbia, by G. Don, (Don's 
Miil., i. p. 118.) P 
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