2G2 TRANSACTIONS OF UGYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 



here is of excellent quality, and of a beaiitifiil yellow colour, not 

 unlike that of box-wood. It is remarkably fine and close- 

 grained, works easily, and takes a good ])olish. I believe it 

 would be useful in the manufacture of fancy work, furniture, and 

 wherever a clean-grained and prettily-marked wood is in request. 

 We have found it ill adapted for withstanding damp ; whereas 

 some fancy articles manufactured from it, and kept constantly 

 in the dry warm air of a room, have stood the test for eleven 

 years in a satisfactoiy manner. After becoming established, the 

 rate of growth of the Chili pine is rapid in favourable cii'cum- 

 stances ; that of several specimens observed being 19 inches 

 annually. When a height of 50 feet is attained, the bulk of the 

 trunk increases at the expense of the iipward growth. As a 

 distinct and ornamental conifer the Chili pine is of great value, 

 but we hardly think that as a timber tree it will ever attract 

 much attention in Britain. A native of Chili, on the western 

 slopes of the Andes. Introduced in 1796. 



33. Athrotaxis selaginoides (Tasmanian Cypress).— This interest- 

 ing little conifer seems to be perfectly hardy, and when planted 

 on the lawn attracts considerable attention, adding contrast and 

 variety to the grounds. The leaves are of a glossy green colour, 

 and closely appressed to the branchlets. With us it has attained 

 to the height of fully 11 feet in fifteen years, and has never 

 suffered from either cutting winds or wintry frosts. A native 

 of Tasmania. Introduced about 1850. 



34. Biota orientalis (Chinese Arbor-Vitse) is, perhaps, one of 

 our commonest garden shrubs, or rather small trees, for it fre- 

 quently attains a height of 25 feet. The leaves are of a pleasing 

 green colour during summer, but usually, and particularly when 

 the plant is grown in an exposed situation, turn of a brown hue 

 in winter. As an elegantly symmetrical conifei-, it has long held 

 a prominent position in our lawns and gi'ounds, and rightly so, 

 for its peculiarly distinct form and warmth of foliage are decided 

 attractions. Loudon says it was introduced in 1752 ; but a letter 

 from the Duke of Richmond to Mr Collinson, dated February 1st, 

 1 743, proves that it had been introduced previous to that date. 

 A native of China and Japan. A considerable number of sports 

 have sprung from this conifer. Of these the following are worthy 

 of attention as ornamental, small-growing plants : — B. orientalis 

 argentea, with creamy-white, and B. orientalis aurea, with golden 

 foliage, are two of the most distinct and ornamental forms, and 



