THE MAGNOLIA FAMILY. ,6 



green cones of fruit suggest more nearly the sliape of a cycunilx-r than do 

 those of any other of the genus. They as weU as the fruit of M. 1- rascri 

 are used l:)y the mountain people in an infusion with w hiskcy, or apple 

 brandy for the prevention of intermittent fevers. About this practice the 

 younger Michaux is said to have remarked : " that it wouUl doubtless be 

 much less frequent, if, with the same medical properties, the aipieoiis infusion 

 were substituted." 



J/, macrophylla, great leaved magnolia or umbrella tree, is truly a 

 remarkable sight when its fragrant, white tlovvers with their purple spotted 

 centres are in blow among its mammoth leaves. Sometimes these latter 

 measure over three feet long. In shape they are long-obovate, pointed at 

 the apex and have two ear-like lobes at the base. On their undersides they 

 are pale and covered with a bloom. The petals even measure seven or 

 eight inches long while the sepals are shorter and rounded. In fruit the tree 

 has still a lively air for its cones are a deep rose colour. The tree itself, 

 however, is not very beautifully formed. It grows in cool, deep places 

 from Louisiana and Florida to Kentucky and North Carolina, also appear- 

 ing in Arkansas. In 1789 it was discovered near Charlotte, North 

 Carolina, by the elder Michaux. 



J/, tripctala, umbrella-tree, or elk-wood, bears also very large leaves 

 which, however, are ovate-lanceolate in outline, pointed at the apex and dis- 

 tinctively wedge-shaped at the base. They are when young covered on 

 their under surfaces with a thick tomentum w^hile their stout petioles are 

 quite pubescent. At the ends of the branches these leaves grow in clusters 

 in a way very suggestive of the ribs of an umbrella. The specitk name, 

 tri|3etala, is in reference to the three sepals which are very similar to the 

 petals. 



GREAT FLOWERED MAGNOLIA. SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA. 

 BULL BAY. {Plate fJ 1 1.) 



MagJiblia ftcfidi i . 



FAMILY SHAPE HEIGHT RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 



Magnolia. Round-tof>/;uL 6o-8 3/,7V. Floyida and Trxas to A/-ri/- /:,,!. ■ 



yorth Carolina. Aiti^ust nort/iw.ir,/. 



Lo7i'cr bark: brownish grey, with appressed scales about one inch in length. 

 Branches: lighter in colour, thin, smooth. Leaves: entire; with stout petioles; 

 ovate or oval, five to eight inches long and two to three inches broad; evergreen ; 

 thick ; bright green above and shiny. The winter buds and petioles coveretl on 

 the under side with a rusty-looking tomentum. Flowers ; cream-white; very fra- 

 grant ; seven, eight or twelve inches in diameter; solitary and terminal at the 

 ends of the branches. Sepals: petal-like. Petals: six, nine or twelve; oval; con- 

 cave. Base of the receptacle and lower parts of the filaments bright purple. 



