GENUS LIBOCEDRUS. 69 



The outline of the tree is rather stiff and columnar for 

 ornamental planting; and though the timber is valuable, 

 the rate of growth is too slow to allow of its being cultivated 

 for profitable purposes in this country. It succeeds best on 

 deep, moist loams, the foliage being paler and the lower 

 branches apt to die off when the tree is growing in sandy or 

 gravelly soils. There is a variety named L. decurrens glauca. 



L. Doniana,, Endlicher. {Synonym: Thuya Doniana^ 

 Hooker.) New Zealand. 1848. Though usually described 

 as tender, there are, in certain parts of the country, well- 

 furnished and beautiful specimens of this tree to be seen. In 

 the north of Ireland it forms a handsome specimen, with 

 foliage of the richest description ; while in Southern and 

 especially Western England, I have seen well-grown plants. 

 It presents a perfect pyramid of flattened, fern-like branch- 

 lets, thickly covered with beautiful foliage of a deep, un- 

 changing green, and with little or no silvery markings on the 

 under sides. It is readily distinguished from L. chilensis by 

 the more closely arranged leaves and by the absence of the 

 silvery line on the under sides of these, as also by its richer 

 and brighter green colour. 



L. tetra.g^ona,, Endlicher. {Synonym : Thuya tetra- 

 gona, Hooker.) Patagonia and Chili. 1849. By the Chilians 

 this is justly valued as one of the most important trees of 

 their country, the timber being of great value for constructive 

 purposes. In this country, unless in very favourable situa- 

 tions, it does not succeed well, and many specimens have 

 died out prematurely. Where it does thrive, it is certainly a 

 distinct and beautiful tree, of somewhat broadly pyramidal 

 habit of growth, the branches being stiff, stout, and horizon- 

 tally arranged, with the tips upturned. The leaves are bright 

 green, broadly decurrent at the base, and about \ of an inch 

 long. Cones smaller than those of any other species. I have 

 seen this interesting conifer growing freely amongst decayed 

 vegetable matter, and where the maritime situation was fairly 

 sheltered. 



