GINKGO 



593 



low, and forming several erect main branches ; secondary branches 

 spreading, pendulous at the ends. Branchlets of two kinds: (i) short, 

 stout spurs, which increase very slowly in length and bear the leaves at 

 the -tip; (2) long, free-growing shoots with the leaves alternate. Trees 

 in a stunted or unhealthy state produce only the first type of shoot, and 

 will remain practically stationary for many years. Leaves long-stalked, fan- 

 shaped, tapering from 

 the irregularly jagged, 

 often notched apex to 

 the wedge-shaped base ; 

 i to 2 1 ins. deep, about 

 i A- ins. wide; not downy, 

 yellowish dull green, the 

 veins all running length- 

 wise, and repeatedly fork- 

 ing as the leaf broadens 

 towards the end; stalk 

 slender, i; 1 ? to 3^ ins. 

 long. Flowers borne on 

 the short shoots, the 

 males in cylindrical, 

 short - stalked catkins 

 about i in. long, con- 

 sisting of green stamens 

 only; the females on a 

 stalk ii to 2 ins. long, 

 ultimately developing a 

 yellowish green plum- 

 like fruit i to ii ins. 

 long, surrounded by a 

 malodorous, fleshy layer. 



The Ginkgo is prob- 

 ably a native of W. 

 China, but it does not 

 appear to have been 

 found indubitably wild. 

 It is certainly not indi- 

 genous to Japan, as is 

 often stated, although it 

 was introduced from 

 there to Europe about 

 1730, and to England 



twenty years later. It is undoubtedly one of the most distinct and 

 beautiful of all deciduous trees, the leaves being quite unlike those of 

 any other. The popular name refers to their similarity in shape to 

 the pinnules of the maidenhair fern (Adiantum). 



Most of the large trees in the British Isles are males, and from 60 to 

 70 ft. high. I have not seen fruits produced in this country, but it bears 

 them freely in S. Europe, especially in Italy. The female tree is gener- 



2 P 



GEMSTA VIRGATA. 



