i: 



MAGNOLIA. 249 



foliage is very large. It produces cylindrical fruit, three . or 

 four inches long, with the scarlet seeds depending from it. 



Magnolia auriculata. .Ear-Tea ved Magnolia. This is a 

 splendid tree, and does not grow to so large a size as the last, 

 but more beautiful, for shape, foliage and flowers. 



There are a number of species of this magnificent tribe, that 

 succeed very well as far north as Massachusetts, in sheltered 

 localities ; but they are not to be depended upon where 

 exposed to cold winds. 



The Chinese Magnolias, according to Mr. Downing, are all 

 hardy, except one, (M. fuscata,} in the latitude of Newburg, N. 

 Y. Some of them we have seen flourishing in this vicinity, 

 and probably all will succeed here. 



He says : " They are certainly among the most striking and 

 ornamental objects in our pleasure-grounds and shrubberies in 

 the spring. Indeed, during the months of April and the early 

 part of May, two of them, the White, or Canspicua, and Sou- 

 lange's Purple, or Soulangia?ia,ec]}pse every .other floral object, 

 whether tree or shrub, that the garden contains. Their numer 

 ous branches, thickly studded with large flowers, most classi- 

 cally shaped, with thick, kid-like petals, and rich, spicy odor, 

 wear an aspect of novelty and beauty among the smaller blos- 

 soms of the more common trees and shrubs that blossom at that 

 early time, and really fill the beholder with delight. The Chi- 

 nese White Magnolia (M. conspicua) is, in effect of its blos*- 

 soms, the most charming of all Magnolias.. The flowers, in 

 color a pure, creamy white, are produced in such abundance, 

 that the tree, when pretty large, may be seen at a great dis- 

 tance. 



" The Chinese name, Gulan, literally, Lily-tree, is an apt and 

 expressive one, as the blossoms are not much unlike those of the 

 White Lily in size and shape, when fully expanded. Among 

 the Chinese poets, they are considered the emblem of candor 

 and beauty." 



I Mr. Downing speaks of a tree, about twenty feet high, planted 

 on the lawn in front of his hous^ mbout fourteen years ago, on 



