C6 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES. 



to 1629. Too well known to require description, at least for 

 purposes of identification. As a hardy and valuable timber-pro- 

 ducing conifer the larch is surpassed by no other tree that has 

 been introduced to this country. The wood is very durable and 

 strong, light in comparison with the bulk, and easily worked. 

 As an ornamental tree it is certainly neglected, for in the 

 spring months when the young leaves are bursting from the 

 bud the decided golden green tint is almost unique in foliage 

 tint amongst coniferous trees. Unfortunately of late years 

 the larch has become subject to disease, and to such an extent 

 that the planting of the tree in anything like its previous 

 quantity is much to be doubted. 



L. europaea, pendula. is a distinct and very handsome 

 variety, having the branchlets hanging down almost at right 

 angles to the branches, and for often a couple of feet in 

 length. It reaches to almost the height of the parent tree, 

 and should not be confused with the American species the 

 Tamarack or Hackmatack which never attains to anything 

 approaching such a size, but is of weeping habit. 



L. Griffith ii. Hooker. {Synonyms: PtJius Griffi- 

 thiiy Parlatore ; Abies Griffithiana, Lindley and Gordon.) 

 Eastern Himalayas. 1850. This bears a great resemblance 

 to the weeping form of the European larch, but it rarely 

 exceeds 40 feet in height, and in this country it does not 

 succeed at all satisfactorily. The branches are long, lithe, 

 and sparsely foliaged, while the cones are larger than those of 

 any other species, and furnished with conspicuous persistent 

 bracts. So far the tree does not promise well in this country, 

 and is not to be recommended for any but the most favour- 

 able situations. 



L. leptolepis, Endlicher. (^Synonyms: Abies leptolepisy 

 Siebold and Zuccarini ; L. japonica, Carri^re.) Japan. 1861. 

 This is a beautiful species, and from what is already 

 known of it, seems to be well suited for planting as an orna- 

 mental tree in this country. It is of slower and smaller 

 growth than our common species, with longer leaves, and 

 smaller and differently shaped cones, they being ovate, and 



