GENUS SEQUOIA. 113 



imbricated. The cones are obtuse, and vary much in size, but 

 are usually about 2 inches long. 



S. gfigfantea a,urea. is a distinct variety, but unfor- 

 tunately, one that cannot be relied upon in so far as perma- 

 nency of colouring is concerned, the beautiful golden-yellow of 

 the branch tips of the juvenile plants gradually giving way 

 with advancing age. I have seen several very beautiful speci- 

 mens of this golden Wellingtonia, and if the character was 

 constant the tree would be well worth cultivating for purely 

 ornamental purposes. The best form I have seen was sent to 

 me by Mr. Baylor Hartland, from Cork. 



S. g'igfantea pencSu la- Certainly one of the most 

 curious of all conifers is the subject of the present note. It 

 cannot be described as ornamental, at least when of large size, 

 though young specimens are sufficiently curious and distinct 

 to warrant more than a passing notice. As seen from a 

 distance against the sky line, old trees have a very singular 

 appearance, the long, pendulous, and irregularly-produced 

 branches imparting an outline such as one rarely sees, unless 

 associated with an isolated specimen that has for long been 

 stranded on an exposed mountain side. Young trees are far 

 more shapely and pleasing in outline, and though they cannot 

 be described as ornamental, yet they are so very distinct that 

 their presence in the park or garden is quite desirable. In all 

 the specimens I examined the branches spring out directly at 

 right angles to the main stem for a distance of about 3 inches, 

 then turn abruptly downwards parallel and close to the 

 stem for, in many instances, a distance of 4 feet. The foliage 

 is quite normal, and the cones are i^ inches long, by fully i 

 inch wide, and placed on a branch-like foot-stalk hardly | of 

 an inch long. A specimen about 30 feet in height may be 

 seen at Berkhampstead, in Herts. 



S. sempervirens, Endlicher. The Redwood of Cali- 

 fornia. {Synonym: Taxodtum sempervirenSj Lambert.) 1846. 

 A noble tree, that, when suitably placed, produces a large 

 quantity of valuable timber in this country. Like the former 

 species, it requires a certain amount of shelter, else the foliage 



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