35 



XII. 



MAGNOLIACE^. 



THE TULIP. 



LIRIODENDRON TULIPIFERA. 



From Iciroii, a lily, and dciuiroii, a tree. The 

 flower bears some resemblance to a lily but is 

 more like a tulip. 



The order of Magnoliacece, or Magnoliads, 

 consists of noble trees and shrubs bearmtj; large 

 showy flowers, and fine glossy leaves. 



A native of North America and the United 

 States, the tulip is one of our most ornamental 

 foreign deciduous trees. It attains a consider- 

 able size, and being fairly hardy when planted 

 in a sheltered position scarcely appears to receive 

 the attention it deserves. Space must be allowed, 

 for in confinement the tree will not produce flowers, 

 and only a scanty foliage. The quaint shape of 

 the leaves is unlike that of any other tree leaf 

 that we know of. Large, and on appearing in 

 May, of a deep shining green, which turns to gold 

 in the autumn, they are hung on long and slender 

 footstalks, and sway to and fro under the slightest 

 breeze. When in full flower in July a tulip tree 

 is a beautiful objett. 



