60 THE PARKS AND GARDENS OF RAIHS. [Chap. III. 



in the gardens of the Museum. The seed from which this tree 

 sprang was received amongst others from North America in the 

 year 1601, by Jean Eobin, Professor of Botany at the Garden of 

 Plants, and, thirty-five years later, it was planted here by Ves- 

 pasien Robin, so that it is now probably two hundred and seventy- 

 six years old. The top of the tree, having gradually decayed, was 

 cut oflf many years since, and the stump which remains is about 

 nine feet high, and three feet three inches in diameter at the 

 base. The branches, however, which still continue alive, exhibit 

 a considerable amount of vigour, which promises a prolongation 

 of existence for many years to come, though its beauty is gone. 

 This venerable tree is considered to be the parent of all the 

 varieties of Eobinia which are now so extensively spread over 

 Europe. 



M. Carriere, one of the heads of departments hero, among other 

 services to horticulture, has long been an acute observer of those 

 sports or difi'erences among plants which, when preserved and 

 increased, often prove of great value. Frequently it happens that 

 what may be called, from a botanical point of view, a mere 

 variety is of as great importance for our gardens as the most 

 distinct of species. In gardening the question of form is second 

 to no other, and frequently valuable deviations from ordinary 

 forms characterise what are called mere varieties. Thus such 

 varieties of hardy native trees as the weeping wych Elm and the 

 weeping Beech are more precious for the garden landscape than 

 most new species of hardy trees ; this must be evident to all who 

 have seen these varieties in a mature state. We are, indeed, 

 only in the beginning of our due appreciation of the value of the 

 varieties as distinguished from the original forms of hardy trees. 

 All interested in trees would do well to observe accidental 

 deviations from the normal type in gardens under their care, as 

 they may find something of high importance to our gardens. 

 A stray shoot or sucker showing a habit difi'erent from the 

 type may, if separated and increased, perpetuate constantly 

 its peculiarity. He who observes and increases it may render 

 as great a service to the gardens of Europe as was rendered 

 by those who secured for us the upright Yew or the weeping 

 Ash. 



In a culloctiun of the genus Asparagus, one, A. Broussouctii, is 



