224 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBOKICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



as beehives. The pendulous variety, T. d. pendulum, is a very 

 beautiful object, but will only thrive in the most favourable 

 situations. 



Wellingtonia gigantea (The Mammoth Tree). — Discovered in 

 the mountains of California in 1852, and introduced to this 

 country in 1853 by Mr "William Loljb, collector to Messrs Veitch 

 and Sons, Chelsea, London. Height from 300 to 350 feet, and 

 girth 60 to 80. An oft-described tree, and one which only the 

 traveller is privileged to look upon in all its glory. This may 

 justly be said to be the grandest production of tree growth in the 

 world, and imagination dwarfs into insignificance the best of our 

 British giants. It has been conjectured that some of those monster 

 trees must have been growing for at least 3000 years. As timber 

 it is less valuable than many other exotic trees. In this country 

 it stands the climate well ; but, in order to encourage its growth, 

 it should be planted in a rich alluvial soil productive of free 

 growth, and thrives best in sheltered places. 



A beautiful variety originated in Mr Hartland's Nurseries, 

 Cork, about twenty-five years ago, and appears under the name 

 W. g. aurea variegata. When in a young state, this is one of 

 the most ornamental of choice conifers. It is not so robust as the 

 pai-ent, and I imagine it will be always more dwarf in growth. 

 Another very distinct variety is W. g. 2)endula, one of the finest 

 of all the weeping conifers, and a great acquisition to any collec- 

 tion. It was sent out from the Knowefield Nurseries, Carlisle. 



The Yew. 



Taxus hrevifolia (the Californian Yew). — Habitat, California, 

 Oregon, and British Columbia. Introduced in 1854. A ti-ee in 

 its native habitat attaining a height of about 50 feet. It is quite 

 hardy, and useful for all purposes for which the common yew is 

 employed. 



2\ canadensis (the Canadian Yew). — Habitat, Canada and 

 the New England States. Introduced about 1800. It is of a 

 low spreading habit, and is commonly known in America as 

 " Ground Hemlock." It is useful for planting under the shade of 

 other trees, where few plants of any kind will grow. 



T. cuspidata (the Jajjanese Yew). — Habitat, the island of 

 Jesso, Japan, where it grows to a moderate-sized tree, with a stem 

 of two feet in diameter. It is a distinct species, and worthy of a 

 place in all collections of exotic trees. 



