i88 CONIFEROUS TREES 



The different varieties of the Chinese Arbor- 

 vitse are in a sad state of confusion — indeed, many 

 are incapable of accurate identification. I have 

 seen three totally distinct forms of the so-called 

 T, orientalis falcata, and as these are growing in 

 the same grounds, not 50 yards apart, and under 

 similar conditions in every way, the chances of 

 mistaken identification in this particular instance 

 are very remote. 



The first or normal form is of larger growth 

 than any of the others, of upright but not appressed 

 growth, and with large deep green cones that are 

 twice the size of the species. Second comes a 

 much smaller growing, perfectly taper-like shrub, 

 the foliage of a different shade of green, and the 

 cones similar in every respect to the latter ; and, 

 third, the most distinct and ornamental of any, 

 a neat-habited shrub with 3^ellowish green foliage 

 that is quite uniform in colour all over the speci- 

 men, and with unusually large cones, many of 

 these being fully an inch long, the sickle-shaped 

 spines being very conspicuous. 



So long are the spines in this particular form 

 that they might well be likened to a molar tooth 

 with the fangs intact. This is most noticeable 

 when the cones have attained to full size, but 

 before becoming ripe, for at the latter stage the 

 shrinkage of the spines is very perceptible. This 

 golden form is well worth cultivating, the neat 

 habit and bright tint of both foliage and bark 

 rendering it a very desirable garden shrub. 



T. ORIENTALIS MELDENSis. — This is a stage of 

 growth in which the leaves are subulate, never 

 scale-like as in the species. It has no particular 



