48 



(2.) S. Wellwgtonia, Seem. The "Big tree" of tho United States. 



Figured by Hooker, Bot. Mag. tt. 4777, 4778 ; Sargent, t. 536. 



The largest tree in the world. 



Professor Sargent says : " Its average height is about 275 feet and its trunk 

 diameter near the ground 20 feet, although individuals from 300 feet to 320 feet 

 tall, with trunks from 25 feet to 35 feet thick, are not rare." Speaking of the 

 celebrated Calaveras trees, he says: "In t/he Calaveras grove there are three 

 trees over 300 feet high, the tallest measuring 325 feet. The largest tree 

 measured is standing in King's River forest, and 4 feet above the ground has 

 a diameter of 35 ft. 8 in. inside the bark." 



" In Great Britain the Wellingtonia is characterised by extreme formality 

 of haMt, which is that of a spire or elongated cone, its outline scarcely broken 

 by a projecting branch." (Veitch's Manual). 



In U 6, southern side (Sydney Botanic Gardens) is a small specimen of 

 this interesting tree. The Sydney climate is, however, too warm for this 

 species. 



9. Taxodium, L. C. Richard. 



This genus of two species is commonly called "the Deciduous Cypress." 

 It is represented in bygone geological ages. 



(1.) T. distickum, L. C. Richard. " Deciduous Cypress." "Bald or Swamp 

 Cypress " of the Americans. 



Figured by Sargent, t. 537. 



A large deciduous tree, attaining its greatest development in Mexico, but 

 abundant between the 39th parallel of north latitude and the Gulf of Mexico, 

 and extending from the Atlantic Ocean westward to the 98th meridian. 



There is a smaller form, var. pendulum, figured in Bot. Mag. t. 5603. 



This noble tree does well in the Sydney district and in our coastal lands 

 generally (eg., it does well with Mr. P. H. Morton, near Berry), in moist 

 bottoms, preferably liable to inundation. 



From the large spreading roots, which are often near the surface, numerous 

 " knees " spring out, which give the trees a singular appearance, and have, 

 doubtless, allied functions to those of the pneumatophores of the mangroves. 

 For an illustration of a Syon Hou>e tree (near London) showing the "knees," 

 see Veitch's Manual. 



M 19 (Sydney Botanic Gardens). 



(2.) T. mucronatum, Ten. (T. mexicanum, Carr.), is a variety of T. 

 distichum. It does very well in Sydney. 



U 7, L 1, 18 (Sydney Botanic Gardens). 



