30 CONIFEROUS TREES 



Cones globular, with the scales spirally arranged. 



Seeds, from three to six under each scale, free, pendulous, 

 and winged. 



Leaves spiral, without petioles, scale formed. 



Evergreen trees of small growth, natives of Tasmania, 

 and remarkable for the jointed appearance of the shoots. 



Athrotaxis cupressoides, Don. Tasmania. — 

 When seen growing under favourable conditions, 

 this is a neat and very distinct small-growing 

 conifer, with thick and spirally arranged coriaceous 

 leaves, which are of an intense glossy green colour. 

 It delights in a cool and quiet situation ; and the 

 finest specimens I have seen were growing on a 

 dampish mossy bank in a forest break. It is a 

 species that is well worthy of culture, and should 

 be included in every selection of coniferous plants. 



A. LAXIFOLIA, Hooker. (Synonym : Athrotaxis 

 Doniana, Maule et Gordon.) Tasmania. — To a great 

 extent this resembles the previous species, but the 

 foliage is less thickly arranged, or not so closely 

 appressed, longer and pointed, and the tree is of 

 slower growth, this being particularly noticeable 

 when the plants are growing side by side, and 

 under exactly similar conditions. The cones are 

 terminal subglobose, three-quarters of a inch in 

 diameter, and composed of about sixteen spirally 

 arranged scales, and roundish, deeply winged seeds. 

 This is a neat little tree, of slow growth, and re- 

 markable for the bright and cheery tint of the 

 foHage. It has attained to a height of 15 feet 

 in southern England. 



A. SELAGiNOiDES, Don. Tasmania. About 

 13^7, — Xhis is the hardiest, best-known, and most 

 accommodating of the species. From the others 

 it may readily be distinguished by its twiggy 



