404 Ulmace<z Ulmiis. 



samara. The forms named major, glabra, stricta, etc., are 

 referred to this species, and there are many other varieties in 

 cultivation, including one with exceedingly handsome ample 

 foliage and pendulous brandies. The forms called plumosa 

 and filicifolia also appear to belong to this species. The former 

 is very robust, and has very large distichous leaves, whilst in the 

 latter they are deeply pinnatind. The Wych Elm is considered 

 to be indigenous in North Britain and throughout temperate 

 Europe and Siberia. 



2. U. campestris. Common Elm. This differs from the 

 last in its smaller foliage, more erect habit, and usually greater 

 profusion of fruits, though it rarely ripens its seed. Seed 

 above the centre of the obovate or oblong samara. U. sube- 

 rosa and a host of other varieties are considered as belonging 

 here, but the great diversity both in foliage and habit renders 

 it difficult to assign some of them to their proper place. 

 Amongst some of the most striking we may mention : - 

 Berdrdi, of slender habit and very small foliage ; fastigiata, 

 an erect-growing form with small foliage ; and microphylla 

 pendula, with slender drooping branches and small leaves. 

 .Besides these there are some slender variegated forms, both 

 erect and pendulous, and edged or blotched with silver or 

 gold ; but they are too numerous to be included here : and as the 

 names they bear in nurseries usually describe their peculiarities 

 it is unnecessary. Although now very common, this is supposed 

 to be an introduced tree in Britain, coming from the South 

 and centre of Europe. 



Two or three of the American species are met with in some 

 collections, the commonest of which is U. Americana. This 

 has large abruptly acuminate obovate or oblong leaves, pedi- 

 cellate flowers in dense fascicles, and ciliate glabrous fruits. 

 U. alata, another American species, has corky winged branches ; 

 and U. racemosa has racemose flowers. 



2. PLAKERA. 



Trees very similar to the Elms in habit and foliage, though 

 usually with a naked trunk and branched head. Flowers poly- 

 gamous. Perianth 4- or 5-lobed ; stamens 4 or 5. Fruit 1- 

 or 2-celled, 1- or 2-seeded, nut-like, and covered with pro- 

 tuberances, not winged. The species are natives of North 

 America, the Caucasus, Siberia, and Japan. -This genus was 

 named after a German botanist. 



...: ."*:. 



