GENUS CEPIIALOTAXUS. 2D 



low shrub, of rather irregular growth, with flattened, horizon- 

 tally arranged branches, and short, stiff branchlets. The 

 leaves, which are arranged in two opposite rows on the upper 

 sides of the branches, are, particularly towards the branch 

 tips, upturned, or so nearly erect that they form a triangular- 

 shaped trough. Towards the branch extremities the leaves 

 are i^- inches long, about half that nearer the stem, distinctly 

 keeled, and of a deep green above, and with two broad silvery 

 bands on the under side. For nearly the entire length they 

 are -| of an inch wide, and abruptly pointed. The damson- 

 like fruit, produced usually in threes on the under sides of the 

 branches, are ovoid in shape, but much narrowed at the base, 

 about i] inches long, by f of an inch in greatest diameter, and 

 placed on short, stout footstalks. Each berry contains a soli- 

 tary, hard-shelled, nut-like seed, about J of an inch long, enclos- 

 ing an almond-like kernel. The smell emitted by the fruit 

 when bruised is highly offensive, resembling that of dubbin. 

 Although quite hardy in most parts of the country, yet the 

 finest specimens I have seen were in Southern England and 

 Ireland. The situation should not be draughty, or too ex- 

 posed, and the soil about equal parts of loam and peat or leaf 

 soil. As an ornamental species, the present shrub is well 

 worthy of culture, the by no means stiff habit of growth and 

 plentifully produced deep green leaves, often greenish-yellow 

 at the tips, with the curious purplish, plum-like fruit, render- 

 ing well-grown specimens both distinct and interesting. 



C. Fortune!, W.Hooker. Fortune's Cephalotaxus. North 

 China. 1849. — For general planting this would seem to be a 

 more desirable species than the latter ; at least it succeeds at a 

 greater number of stations in this country. The comparatively 

 long and slender branches are horizontally arranged, and rather 

 sparsely supplied with long, acute-pointed leaves, that are 

 bright and glossy green above and silvery beneath. They 

 arc about 3 inches long, almost fleshy, and arranged in two 

 opposite rows. The fruit is elliptic in shape, tapering to both 

 ends, i] inches long by 2 of an inch in greatest diameter, and 

 produced usually singly, but occasionally in twos and threes. 



