THE CYPRESS SUB-FAMILY. 821 



it. We have placed it as a variety of Thuja occidentalis, 

 in the firm belief that it is nothing more than an accidental 

 variation from the type of the species. This variety has, 

 however, proven to be of great importance to our collec- 

 tions, combining, as it does, excessive hardiness, regular 

 conical form, and a peculiar dark-green and remarkably 

 dense foliage. The demand for the Siberian Arbor Vitae 

 is anmially increasing, and where one or two plants were 

 disposed of a few years ago, hundreds are now sold. 

 Hedges formed of it are really splendid, and surpass in 

 beauty those made from the species. 



In the recent supplement to Gordon's Pinetum, the 

 author says : " This kind was originally raised, many 

 years ago, by Mr. Weire, a nurseryman at Coventry ;" 

 and then, after classing it as a species, under the heading 

 of 2. Tartarica, Loddiges, and enumerating some fourteen 

 synonyms, says, the " cones are identical with those of the 

 common American Arbor Vitse." Taking into considera- 

 tion this acknowledgment, and finding his descriptions of 

 both kinds almost exactly similar in other respects, we are 

 curious to know what are the distinguishing characteristics 

 that form the species in the present case ; and we may add 

 that plants closely resembling this kind have been grown 

 from the seed of our native species in this country. 



Var. plicata, London. PLICATE, OR NEE'S ARBOR 

 YITJE. Syn. T. plicata, Don. This variety is a native 

 of our Pacific Coast, from the North-western Territories to 

 Mexico, and was discovered by Menzies in the former, 

 and Nee in the latter place. It generally attains the height 

 of from 30 to 50 feet, and is clothed with foliage to the 

 ground. Although we think with Loudon it is only a 

 marked variety of T. occidentalis, it is nevertheless very 

 distinct and handsome. The branches are loose, and pre- 

 sent a curiously twisted or plaited appearance. Its hardi- 

 ness is unquestioned, and we consider it a very valuable 

 Conifer for ornamental planting. 



