222 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



tender for otir climate, but in rich soils, and where sheltered, it 

 succeeds fairly well. The dark bronzy tint of its foliage in winter 

 makes it a great acquisition wherever it thrives. 



C.japonica (the Japan Cedar). — Introduced in 1844. Habitat, 

 Japan and China. Produces timber of an excellent quality, as 

 was shown in the exhibits from Japan at the Edinburgh Forestry 

 Exhibition, and attains a height of 100 to 150 feet. C. j. Lohbi 

 is an effective vai'iety, forms a very pretty tree, and is moder- 

 ately hardy. There are scvei-al other fine varieties, which, though 

 generally rather tender, ai-e worthy a trial by the collector. 



The Japanese Cypress. 



Retinospora Jilifera (the Thread-like Retinospora). — Habitat, 

 Japan ; where it grows to a height of 50 feet in sheltered hollows. 



R. obtusa (the Japan Cypress). — Introduced in 1861. Habitat, 

 Japan; growing to a height of 60 to 100 feet, with a girth of 

 15 feet near the base. It is a most useful timber tree in Japan, 

 and furnishes a light, white, and smooth-grained wood in general 

 demand for a great variety of j^urposes. It is quite hardy in 

 this country, and should be extensively planted as an ornamental 

 tree ; but its timber has still to be tested, and is not likely to 

 supei'sede any of our forest trees. 



R. pisifera (the Pea- fruited Retinospora). — Introduced in 1861. 

 Habitat, Japan ; where it attains a height of 50 to 80 feet. 

 Its timber is of great value, and much used in Japan. It is per- 

 fectly hardy, and thrives well in this country, and forms a very 

 attractive small tree. 



All of the Retinospoi'as ai-e of a hardy nature, and to me appear 

 the most lovely of conifers. There are numerous distinct 

 varieties of several of the species, but they are of less value com- 

 mercially, though more so ornamentally, than the normal types. 



The Ginkgo. 



SalishuHa adiantifolia (the Maiden-Hair Tree, or Ginkgo).- — - 

 This remarkable conifer seems to unite the pine and oak tribes 

 in the singular form of its leaves. It was introduced in 1754. 

 Habitat, Northern China. Height, 70 to 100 feet. Its timber is 

 very close grained, receives a fine polish, and resembles citron-wood. 

 A valuable timber tree; quite hardy in Britain, and rather unique 

 as a coniferous tree, and should be in all collections. 



