(154) 
The yew family (Taxaceae) is represented by three 
genera. Of the true yews (Taxus) there are: the American 
yew, or ground hemlock; the English yew and several of its 
horticultural varieties, the wood of which was highly 
prized in ancient times for the manufacture of bows; and 
the Japanese yew. The last is by far the best for this 
climate, standing well the dry summers and cold winters; 
there is a dwarf form of this known as variety nana, which 
is an especially desirable evergreen for decorative planting. 
The cluster-flowered yew (Cephalotaxus) is represented by 
two from China and Japan. e Japanese Torreya 
(Tumion nuciferum) represents this genus. Another spe- 
cies, Tumion taxtfolium, of Florida, is not hardy in our 
climate: it will be found in house 14, conservatory Tange 2. 
Still other representatives of the yew family are in the 
central display house and house 14 of conservatory range 2. 
o the north of the economic garden will be found speci- 
mens of the umbrella pine, not a true pine, however, but 
belonging to the genus Sciadopitys, a native of Japan. 
Another tree here is the Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria 
japonica, with several horticultural varieties; this will 
stand our winter climate only in sheltered situations such 
as this; the variety Lobbit is more hardy and therefore 
better Ried to this climate. 
On the westerly corner of the conservatory terrace and in 
the immediate vicinity are located the retinisporas, which 
are so commonly cultivated as decorative plants. There 
are many horticultural forms here represented, but they 
are all variations of two Japanese trees: the Sawara cypress 
(Chamaecyparis pisifera); and the Hinoki cypress (Cham- 
aecyparis obtusa). The latter species is frequently used by 
the Japanese in their dwarfing process. The names borne 
by the various horticultural forms have been suggested by 
some peculiarity in coloring or in manner of growth. 
North American species of the genus Chamaecyparis will 
be found in the low ground along the south walk, not far 
from the south gate. 
