COMPARATIVE VALUE OP EXOTIC CONIFERS IN BRITAIN. 217 



ill leas congenial climates I question the wisdom of experimenting 

 with many of them. 



The Pine is pre-eminently the tree of the mountain, and being 

 an evergreen is always pleasing to look upon. When massed 

 together, or grown as single specimens among deciduous trees, 

 pines show to great advantage at all seasons of the year. 



The Araucaria. 

 Araucaria imhricata (the Chili Pine). — Introduced in 1796 from 

 Chili, where it grows in vast forests to a height of 100 to 150 

 feet, producing strong, beautifully-grained and durable wood. It 

 is one of the most popular of the ornamental conifers, and may be 

 seen on almost every lawn or pleasure ground. Its seeds, which 

 are very nutritious, are highly prized as food by the native Indians. 

 The Araucaria family are not exclusively Chilian, but grow also 

 in Polynesia and Australia. A. imhricata is, however, the only 

 hardy species in our climate, and delights in a friable, well-drained 

 soil, and open site, as it is found to bear exposure to the wind 

 better than most exotic conifers. 



The Ceuar. 



Cedrus atlantica (the Mount Atlas Cedar). — Introduced about 

 1841. Habitat, the Atlas Mountains, Algeria. A most useful 

 tree both as regards value and ornament, is perfectly hardy, and 

 grows luxuriantly in positions where the larch becomes blistered. 



C. Deodar (the Deodar, or Indian Cedar). — Introduced in 1831. 

 Habitat, Himalaya Mountains. This is a moderately hardy, 

 useful, and well-known ornamental tree, of common occurrence in 

 pleasure grounds. A valuable timber tree in India. 



G. Libani (the Cedar of Lebanon). — Introduced in 1676. 

 Habitat, Mount Lebanon, Syria. In Scripture and in history, 

 both ancient and modern, we find reference made to this tree. 

 Its outline is so well and generally known, that, as an object of 

 ornament, no description is necessary. Its wood is very valuable, 

 and is known to have lasted for centuries. 



The Cypress. 

 Cupressus Lawsoniana (Lawson's Cypress). — Introduced in 1855. 

 Habitat, California. Height, 100 feet. Unquestionably this is 

 the grandest and best known of all the American Cypresses. A 



