GENUS PSEUDOLARIX. 107 



Branches numerous, irregularly disposed, and covered with 

 brownish bark. 



An evergreen tree of yew-like appearance. There is only 

 one known species, which has been referred to Podocarpus, 

 but Professor Philippi, who should know best, has placed it in 

 the present genus by itself 



Prumnopitys eleg'ans, Philippi. {Synonyms: — Podo- 

 carpus andina, Poeppig ; Stachycarpus andina, Van Tieghem.) 

 Chili, i860. — Though usually branded with the title of " half- 

 hardy," yet in England at least such can hardly be applied, 

 for the numerous fine specimens that are to be found around 

 London prove beyond a doubt that this coniferous shrub may 

 be planted with every chance of its succeeding well and form- 

 ing in a few years a desirable and interesting specimen. For 

 planting where ground space is limited, this conifer has proved 

 to be exceedingly useful, the slow rate of growth, neat, usually 

 pyramidal habit, and adaptability to the pruning-knife, all 

 rendering it of value for such situations. It also thrives satis- 

 factorily when planted in smoky and dusty localities, and may 

 sometimes be seen potted up and offered for sale in Covent 

 Garden market, it making a neat and effective pot plant, and 

 one which, unlike many other conifers, does not change colour 

 with the advent of winter. The leaves are thickly produced 

 and almost yew-green above, and slightly silvery on the 

 under sides, are flattened, fully I an inch long, and sub- 

 distichously arranged. In the fruit we have something out of 

 the usual way of coniferous trees, for these are bigger than 

 sloes, ovate in shape, almost transparent, and with the kernel 

 contained in a hard cherry-like stone. The largest specimen 

 I have seen was 18 feet in height. 



PSEUDOLARIX (Gordon). 



THE FALSE OR GOLDEN LARCH. 



Flowers monoecious ; males in umbellate pendulous tufts. 

 Cones pendent, and composed of divergent scales like the 

 head of the common artichoke. 



