TAMARIX TAXODTUM 577 



been recalled a variety of T. hispida, but that species, as stated above, is very 

 distinct in its downy twigs and leaves. 



T. TETRANDRA, Pallas. 



A deciduous shrub, 10 to 15 ft. high, with smooth dark branches which 

 are usually arching in plants a few years old. The minor branchlets or 

 twigs are very thin, clothed densely with minute, scale-like leaves, which 

 under the lens are seen to be closely imbricated, pointed, and incurved at 

 the apex. Flowers very small and closely set on slender, cylindrical, straight 

 racemes, i to 2 ins. long, which develop in May from the branches of the 

 previous year. They are bright pink, very freely borne, and have each 

 four stamens. 



Native of the eastern Mediterranean region, the Crimea, Caucasus, etc. 

 It is the commonest species in gardens, being supplied by continental nursery- 

 men under at least five names, such as "africana," "algeriensis," " caspica," 

 " indica," and " parviflora," some of which belong rightly to distinct species. 

 Among cultivated tamarisks it is distinct in flowering early from the old 

 wood and in having four stamens. A shrub of great beauty and grace, 

 admirable in masses. 



The true T. PARVIFLORA, De Candolle, is sometimes grown as " T. tetrandra 

 purpurea." It has dark reddish purple shoots and darker flowers than the 

 above ; stamens four. 



TAPISCIA SINENSIS, Oliver. SAPINDACE^:. 



A deciduous tree, usually about 30 ft. high (very rarely as much as 

 So ft, with a trunk 12 ft. in girth). Leaves pinnate, 12 to 18 ins. long, 

 composed of five or seven leaflets, which are ovate, heart-shaped at the 

 base, pointed, toothed, 3 to 5 ins. long, greyish beneath. Flowers small, 

 yellow, in axillary panicles 4 to 6 ins. long, the divisions of the panicle very 

 slender ; they have a charming honey-like fragrance. Fruit egg-shaped, 

 black, \ in. long. 



Native of the mountains of W. Hupeh, China, at elevations of 2500 

 to 3000 ft., where it is rare ; also of Szechuen at similar elevations, where 

 it is more common. It is the only species of the genus known. Intro- 

 duced by Wilson for the Harvard University in 1908. I am doubtful 

 of its proving hardy except in the south-west ; where it is hardy its chief 

 garden value will be in its bold pinnate leaves and scented blossoms. 

 The generic name is an anagram of Pistacia, a genus to which this tree 

 bears a strong resemblance. 



TAXODIUM DISTICHUM, Richard. DECIDUOUS CYPRESS. 



CONIFERS. 



A deciduous, usually pyramidal tree, 100 to 150 ft. high, the tapered 

 trunk erect, buttressed at the base, and measuring above it 4 to 6 ft. in 

 diameter. In damp situations the roots produce curious woody protuber- 

 ances, which occasionally stand up several feet out of the ground, being 



