480 ULMUS CAMPESTRIS. 
aptitude of the different kinds of elm to vary from seeds, theri is, in truth, no ce:> 
tainty as to what are species and what varieties. On this subject, M. Baudril- 
lart observes, in the " Dictionnaire des Eaux et Forets," that, " Any one who has 
ever observed a bed of seedling elms, must have noticed that some have large 
leaves, and some small ones ; some are early, and some late ; some have smooth 
bark, and some that which is rough ; and some soft leaves and others very rough 
ones. Some varieties are higher than others. The branches take now a verti- 
cal and again a horizontal direction. In short, while botanists describe, and cul- 
tivators sow, they will find that nature sports with their labours, and seems to 
delight in setting at fault alike the science of the one and the hopes of the other. 
This is always the case with plants that have long been submitted to the culti- 
vation of man. The cares that are bestowed upon them, the different situations 
in which they are placed, and the different kinds of treatment which they receive, 
appear to change their native habits." The quality and size of the timber of the 
several varieties differ as much as the size of the leaves and the habit of their 
growth. For instance, the timber of the Ulmus c. viminalis is of but little value, 
from the slenderness of the trunk; while, in other varieties, the trees are subject 
to decay at the joints of the branches, their bark splits into long, thin strips, and 
the interior of their trunk decays. We shall first notice the principal varieties of 
the common English elm, which are found in British nurseries ; and next, the 
kinds most nearly allied to them, and which are usually treated, by botanists, a^ 
species. 
1. U. c. vulgaris, Loudon. Common Field Elm. This variety, when grown in 
an open space, is very twiggy, with a smooth, pale bark, and is sometimes of an 
irregular growth, with almost horizontal branches. In some soils it is very sub- 
ject to decay at the joints. The bark, which is lead-coloured, while young, splits 
into long, thin strips with age. A bad variety to cultivate for timber, 
2. U. c. latifolia, Loudon. Broad-leaved Field Elm, with broader leaves than 
the species, which expand early in the spring. 
3. U. c. alba, Loudon. Whitish-barked Field Elm. The growth of this 
variety is upright; the old bark cracks in long irregular pieces, and becomes 
very pale with age. The bark of the shoots, as are the foot-stalks of the leaves 
is tinged with red. The leaves, which are shining, and doubly and deepl/ 
serrated, bear a very near resemblance to those of the Ulmus c. effusa. This 
variety forms a valuable timber tree. 
4. U. c. acutifolia, Loudon. Acute-leaved Field Elm. The growth of this tree, 
during its early stages, very nearly resembles that of the last-named variety, but 
is stronger. The leaves, in, old specimens, are more tapering, and the branches 
more pendulous. Also a good timber tree. 
5. U. c. stricta, Loudon. Upright-growing Field Elm or English Red Elm. 
This variety is of a very rigid growth, and forms one of the most valuable timber 
trees of the small-leaved kinds. The poles are of equal diameter throughout. 
6. U. c. virens', Loudon.' Sub-evergreen Field Elm or Kidbrook Elm. This 
variety is almost evergreen in a i mild winter ; and, as such, it is the most orna- 
mental tree of the genus. The'barkis red, and the tree is of a spreading habit. 
This, like the last-mentioned kind, grows well upon chalky soils; but it is not to 
be depended upon as a timber tree, because, in some autumns, the shoots are 
killed by frost. 
7. U. c. cornubiensis, Loudon. Cornish Field Elm, an upright-branched tree, 
with small, strongly veined coriaceous leaves. The branches are bright-brown, 
smooth, rigid, erect, and very compact. It attains a very great height, with a 
somewhat narrow head; and in the climate of London, it is a week or two later 
in -oming into leaf than the species. Dr. Lindley mentions a sub-variety, with 
