in ExtrarTropical Countries. 37 



to alternately dry and wet influences ; it is susceptible of a high 

 polish, and thus competes with satin-wood, and in some respects with 

 birdseye-maple. Value in Brisbane, 2 los. to 3 10s. per 1,000 

 superficial feet. The tree grows on alluvial banks as well as on rugged 

 mountains, overtopping all other trees. The resin, which exudes 

 from it, has almost the transparency and whiteness of crystal, and is 

 often pendent in the shape of icicles, which are sometimes 3 feet long 

 and 6 to 12 inches broad (W. Hill). Araucarias should be planted 

 by the million in fever-regions of tropical countries for hygienic 

 purposes, on account of their antiseptic exhalations. 



Araucaria excelsa, R. Brown.* 



" Norfolk-Island Pine." A magnificent tree of remarkable symme- 

 try, sometimes to 220 feet high, with a stem attaining 10 feet in dia- 

 meter, and with regular tiers of absolutely horizontal branches. The 

 timber is useful for ship-building and many other purposes. Growth 

 in height at Port Phillip about 40 feet in 20 years. 



Araucaria imbricata, Pavon.* 



Chili and Patagonia, The male tree attains generally a lesser 

 height than the female, which reaches 150 feet. At Brest it attained 

 72 feet. in 55 years (de Kersanton). This species furnishes a hard 

 and durable timber, as well as an abundance of edible seeds, which 

 constitute a main-article of food of the natives. Eighteen good trees 

 will yield enough of vegetable food for a man's sustenance all the 

 year round. The wood is yellowish-white, full of beautiful veins, 

 capable of being polished and worked with facility. It is admirably 

 adapted for ship-building. The resin is pale and smells like frankin- 

 cense (Lawson). The tree is most frequently found on rocky 

 eminences almost destitute of water (J. Hoopes). It is hardier than 

 any other congener, having withstood the frosts of Norway up to 

 latitude 61 15' (Schuebeler). Endures also the clime in many parts 

 of Scotland. Grows more slowly in Australia than the native species. 



Araucaria Rulei, F. v. Mueller. 



New Caledonia. A magnificent tree, with large shining leaves; 

 doubtless not merely of decorative but also of utilitarian value. A 

 closely allied species, A. Mueller! (Brogniart), comes with A. Balan- 

 sse and A. montana from the same island. 



Arbutus Menziesii, Pursh. 



North- Western America. An evergreen tree, attaining a height of 

 150 feet, with a stem reaching 8 feet in diameter. It is of compara- 

 tively quick growth (Dr. Gibbons), and it belongs to the coast- 

 tract exclusively. Wood exceedingly hard, not apt to rend, splendid 

 for furniture. The tree requires a deep loamy soil (Bolander), and is 

 fit only for shady, irrigated woodlands; likes the company of Pinus 

 Douglasii and of Sequoias. It would be valuable at least as a highly 

 ornamental garden- or park-plant, being the tallest among about a 

 thousand Ericese of the world. 



