comparative value of exotic coxifer.e ix britain. 223 



The Sequoia Tribe. 



Sciadojntys verticillata (the Umbrella Pine). — Tntroduced in 

 1861. Habitat, Japan. Height, 70 to 100 feet. Exceptionally 

 peculiar in the arrangement of its leaves, 20 to 30 being set in 

 double whorls on the point of each shoot, and resemble by their mode 

 of growth an inverted umbrella. The leaves are of a light-green 

 colour. The tree is hardy, and with me has done well since it was 

 planted in 1879. Evidently two varieties, or male and female, 

 are in cultivation. With me one bears very small cones, and 

 is less robust in growth than the other. This is a valuable 

 decorative tree in any collection. 



Sequoia semjjervirens (The Califoi'nian Redwood). — Discovered 

 by Mr Archibald Menzies, on the north-west coast of North 

 America, in 1796. Introduced 1846 by Hartweg. Height, 270 

 feet; and a girth of 30 to 40 feet. Although not of a very hardy 

 nature in its young state in this country, yet, in good soils 

 where moderately sheltered, it has stood fairly well. Its timber 

 is valuable, and of good quality. As an ornamental tree it has 

 an effect which is all its own, being so very distinct and peculiar 

 in leaf and habit of growth that no one need mistake it. Even 

 the most cautious of planters should give this gigantic conifer 

 a kindly place amongst his select forest trees. 



Taxodium distichum (The Deciduous Cypi'ess). — Habitat, 

 Southern States of North America. Introduced about 1640. 

 A tree of gigantic proportions in its native country, where it 

 attains a height of 120 feet, and a girth of 40 feet. It is 

 peculiarly a moisture-loving tree, and reaches its fullest develop- 

 ment in the swamps and marshes of the Southern United States. 

 It there furnishes a valuable timber, light but strong, of a fine grain, 

 splits easily into shingles, is very durable, and is much used for all 

 economic piirposes. In this country it is not often seen in a 

 luxuriant condition, although it is moderately hardy, and thrives 

 well in favourable spots, especially in the south of England and 

 Ii'eland. It naturally prefers moist or swampy situations, and 

 should never be planted on dry and exposed sites. A striking 

 characteristic of this tree is the curious growths or " knees," which 

 rise from the roots to a height of a foot or two above the surface of 

 the ground. They are somewhat conical in shape, and partake of 

 the nature of roots. (Jrenerally they are hollow, and in that state 

 ai"e said to be used bv the negroes in the Southern United States 



