HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES 187 



such means of identification would be hazardous, 

 so many partaking of the dense, conical habit of 

 the shrub in question. The large deep green cones, 

 of very irregular shape, and with the scales terminat- 

 ing in long hooked points, are different to those 

 of any other. Each cone is fully three-quarters 

 of an inch long, and composed of six scales and 

 six seeds, two to each of the lower scales being 

 the usual number. The seeds are wingless, and 

 weightier than those of any other of the Thuyas — 

 31,500 going to make up a poimd weight ; while 

 in T. occidentalis and T. plicata the figures are 

 186,666 and 94,000. These figures are the average 

 of four trials of each, with freshly collected 

 cones. The largest specimens of T. orientalis 

 falcata that I have seen are growing at Southend- 

 on-Sea. 



T. orientalis falcata is an excellent church- 

 yard shrub, but for garden purposes it is too 

 harsh, formal, and stiff ; and, when old, it falls 

 apart, being then top-heavy. 



T. ORIENTALIS FALCATA LUTEA, WehstCY, is of 



neat, pyramidal habit, with comparatively short 

 and slender branches, the colour of foliage being 

 a rich, subdued yellow, which not only extends 

 to the leaves in every part, but to the bark of the 

 branches as well. The cones are fully an inch long, 

 and rendered conspicuous by reason of the long 

 appendage to each of the scales. The latter 

 resemble nothing so much as the fangs of a tooth. 

 This is an interesting variety, and for its neat 

 habit, distinct colour, and curious cones is well 

 worthy of culture. This was first described by 

 the present writer in 1896. 



