436 THE BOTANISTS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



Meng^s Magnolia macrophylla. This tree, undoubtedly 

 the earliest cultivated one of this species, was brought to 

 the property of Mr. Meng, a wealthy Philadelphia banker 

 (now Vernon Park), by Matthias Kin, the noted collector. 



Vernon Park Papaw Trees. They are forty feet tall, 

 with trunks ten or twelve inches in diameter, and with 

 broad pyramidal heads of dark foliage. 



The Germantown Yellow-wood {Cladrastris flava). The 

 first Virgilia planted in the United States, standing by the 

 fence of the Germantown Cricket Club. 



NuttalVs Pecan Tree. An old pecan tree, one of the 

 most famous in the city, stood, until recently, on the 

 grounds of the M. E. Church, Germantown and High 

 Streets. The seed was carried by Nuttall, the botanist, 

 from Arkansas. 



If space would permit, an account could be given of 

 the traditional trees and the stories connected therewith.* 



Many of the old landmarks, familiar to persons living 

 in the city one hundred years ago, have been removed, and 

 all traces of them lost through the growth of the city 

 and the modern improvements substituted for the things of 

 old. There are many fine private country places in and 

 near Philadelphia, kept up at great expense by their 

 owners. Rare and costly shrubs and trees have been 

 planted, and greenhouses have been erected, to contain the 

 rare and interesting exotics imported from all parts of the 

 world. A book could easily be written descriptive of the 

 botanical and horticultural aspects of these rural demesnes, 

 but space, and the difficulty of exploration, forbid even 

 a brief mention of the most noteworthy of these places. 



* Throughout this book reference is made to the introduction and cultivation 

 of many plants and trees. The reader is referred to the text, illustrations and foot- 

 notes, also to Forest Leaves, VII, p, 42, article by Ethel Austin Shrigley. 



