COMPARATIVE VALUE OF EXOTIC CONIFERyK IN BRITAIN. 2S7 



with both the appearance and texture of the wood, it being 

 beautifully marked with red lines lengthwise, while the ground- 

 work is of a desirable yellow. Though light in proportion to 

 its bulk, as compared with the generality of timber, it was 

 firm and free from knots, worked readily, and polished with ease. 

 Had I not been conversant with the somewhat valueless nature 

 of the timber of the Wellingt07iia, and its brittle, spongy quality, 

 as set forth by the numerous specimens exhibited in this country 

 of late years, both in a manufactured and unmanufactured state, I 

 would have been apt to sj^eak in fairly high terms of its qualities, 

 at least so far as could be judged by ajipearance, without actual 

 experiment as to strength and durability. Although hardy in 

 any part of the British Isles, yet repeated experiments have 

 proved that, unless in sheltered districts, the Welliugtonia cannot 

 be relied upon as a tree for forest planting. This is much to be 

 regretted, for, whether looked at in an ornamental or commercial 

 sense, this tree must be considered as an acquisition, being one 

 of the brightest ornaments of our lawns, as well as one of the 

 most rapid timber-producers. A native of California on the 

 Sierra Xevada Mountains, and introduced in 1853. 



