TJie MagnoliacecB. 227 



has long been known. As early as 1786, it was sent to Great Britain by 

 Bartram, who discovered it in Georgia ; and it was also found by him on 

 the mountains of North Carolina. It has never been introduced into 

 Northern Ohio. For more than twenty years, I have repeatedly sent orders 

 for it whenever I have seen it included in nurserymen's catalogues in 

 France and this country. In response, I have either received nothing, or 

 more likely some kind already in my possession. Meehan states that " the 

 best Bartram specimen is seventy feet high, and five and a half feet in di- 

 ameter." Other specimens are said to be growing in the lawn of a gentle- 

 man near Boston, and also on the banks of the Hudson River. Whether 

 in either of these localities it matures seed, I am not informed ; but, with 

 the ready communication now open with the southern sections of the Union, 

 cultivators might obtain supplies of seed, and stock their grounds with this 

 species. 



9. M. CoNSPiCUA ( Yulan-tree, Ckatidelier Magnolia). — A native of China, 

 which proves hardy on the shore of Lake Erie. In warm exposures, it 

 suddenly puts forth its blossoms before the approach of spring is hardly 

 anticipated. A few crocuses and hepaticas are appearing ; but the decidu- 

 ous trees and shrubs are leafless. For a day or two, a southerly wind, 

 with a warm sun, has cleared the blue waters of the lake from ice, when 

 suddenly the naked limbs of the yulan-tree become shrouded with an 

 investiture of flowers. Each floret is of the size, form, and color of the 

 common white. At this juncture, they present an imposing contrast with 

 several large evergreen trees in the immediate vicinity. 



It would be a useless attempt to count the flowers on each of my large 

 trees. They are estimated at thousands. Their odor is slightly fragrant 

 and aromatic ; and the anthers abound with pollen, which is collected in 

 large quantities for bee-bread by the honey-bees. As it is the first supply 

 furnished at this season, it is collected with great avidit}^ In this locality, 

 the cool weather seems to blast the gerins ; and no seed has been known to 

 mature, though, according to Meehan, it occasionally ripens at Philadelphia. 



It is reported on good authority that the pollen of the lily has been 

 preserved in dry papers for a long time, and afterwards employed success- 

 fully in fecundating other species. If in that instance it was practicable, 

 the same plan would probably succeed with magnolias. 



