1020 ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART III. 



bitter to the taste; and, as Mr. Royle informs us, 

 it is eaten by the inhabitants of the hills in the 

 Himalayas, "it is a native of Nepal, where it 

 grows to a small tree, approaching, in the general 

 appearance and character of its leaves and flowers, 

 to C. florida, but differing from that species in its 

 fruit. The plant was first found by Dr. Wallich, 

 on the top of a mountain in Nepal ; and specimens 

 were subsequently sent to him from other moun- 

 tains in that country, where the tree is described 

 to be about the size of an apple tree ; flowering in 

 June, and ripening its fruit in October. Seeds 

 were obtained by Sir Anthony Buller, during his 

 residence in the East Indies, and sent by him to his 

 relation, J. H. Tremayne, Esq., in whose garden, at Heligan, in Cornwall, plants 

 were first raised in England, in 1825. In December, 1833, specimens of this 

 plant, bearing ripe fruit, leaves, and flower buds, were sent to the Gardener's 

 Magazine, by Mr. Roberts, the gardener at Heligan ; who described the plant 

 as an evergreen, and as being then 16ft. in height, and covered with fruit. 

 It had stood out in the open ground for 8 years, without any protection what- 

 ever, not even that of a mat. It is planted in stiff clay, and at a great ele- 

 vation. It produces a profusion of flowers during summer, and of fruit 

 in autumn. The plant is readily propagated either from seeds or cut- 

 tings, and will, no doubt, soon be frequent in collections. Judging from the 

 plants in the Horticultural Society's Garden, it seems to prefer a situation 

 rather shaded and moist, than dry and sandy : which corresponds with the 

 experience of Mr. Roberts in Cornwall ; and it will probably be found 

 somewhat tender for a few years after planting. There can be no doubt, 

 however, of its ultimately proving perfectly hardy; at least as much so as 

 Cornus florida; for Mr. Royle mentions that he found it in several situ- 

 ations in the Himalayas, at elevations of from 6500 ft. to 8000 ft., in con- 

 junction with species of ^orbus, Cotoneaster, and Cratae'gus. (Hort. Trans. , 

 new ser., vol. i. p. 458.) Perhaps it might be rendered hardier by grafting it 

 on Cornus sanguinea. Plants of this species, in the London nurseries, are 

 2s. 6d. each. 



CHAP. LXII. 



OF THE HARDY LIGNEOUS PLANTS OF THE ORDER LORANTHA^CEjE. 



THE hardy ligneous plants belonging to this order are included in the 

 genera Ffscum and Aucuba. 



FI'SCUM L. Flowers dioecious, or monoecious. Margin of the calyx ob- 

 solete, in the male flowers almost wanting. Petals usually 4, connected at 

 the base in the male flowers, but free in the female. Stamens 4. Stigma 

 obtuse, sessile. Berry globular, smooth, juicy, viscid, of 1 cell. Seed 

 solitary, heart-shaped, compressed, sometimes with 2 4 embryos. (Dec. 

 Prod, and Don's Mill., adapted.) Parasitical on trees, shrubby, branched, 

 smooth, and pale green. Leaves entire, mostly opposite. 



AI/CUBA Thunb. Flowers dioecious. Calyx 5-toothed. Petals 4, ovate- 

 lanceolate. Stamens 4, alternating with the petals. Stigma concrete. 

 Fruit fleshy, 1-seeded. A small evergreen tree or shrub, with dichotomous 

 or verticillate branches, and entire, opposite leaves, in the manner of 

 Flscum. Botanists are not quite agreed as to what order this genus should 

 be placed under ; but, as this is a matter of no great consequence in a work 

 like the present, we have followed G. Don, in including it in Loranthaceae. 



