452 Con iferce Cryptomeria. 



19. CRYPTOMERIA. 



Evergreen trees with rigid linear-falcate acute quadrangular 

 scattered leaves. Flowers monoecious. Male catkins solitary 

 in the axils of the upper leaves. Cones less than an inch in 

 diameter, terminal and solitary, sometimes growing out at the 

 points. Scales loose, cuneate, prickly, with from 3 to 6 winged 

 seeds. The name is compounded of KpvTnos^ concealed, and 

 /u/Hs, a part, from the nature of the inflorescence. The only 

 known species is a native of Japan, but some of the forms have 

 been described as distinct species. 



1. G.Japonica. Japanese Cedar. A handsome rapid-growing 

 tree from 50 to 100 feet high. Branches brittle and readily 

 separating from the trunk. Leaves rigid, incurved, crowded, 

 spirally arranged, from 6 to 9 lines long. This forms a beauti- 

 ful object in well-drained soils and sheltered situations, but is 

 too tender for rich moist soils, and exposed to strong winds it 

 soon becomes stripped of its branches. There are several 

 varieties distinguished as : variegata, described as one of the 

 most desirable of variegated Conifers ; nana, a very dwarf form ; 

 viridis or Lobbii, with foliage of a brighter green ; and elegans, 

 of a more slender graceful habit. 



20. SAXE-G6THJEA. 



A genus of one species, an evergreen tree of small dimensions 

 resembling the Yew in foliage. Flowers monoecious. Males 

 in clustered catkins. Fruit small, terminal, composed of irre- 

 gular fleshy pointed scales. This genus was dedicated to the 

 late Prince Consort, from a German title borne by him. It is 

 sometimes referred to the Taxlnece, and closely connects these 

 two groups. 



1. S. conspicua. This is described as a small tree about 30 

 feet high. The leaves are distichous, linear-acute and cori- 

 aceous, from 8 to 12 lines long, silvery beneath. Although it 

 has been introduced some years, it is still rare in British gar- 

 dens owing to tenderness in most localities. It is a native of 

 Patagonia. 



