244 THE CULTIVATED EVERGREENS 



whorls of regularly branched stout and heavy branches covered throughout 

 with dark green spiny leaves. 



4. A. Rulei, F. Muell. Tree to 60 feet tall, with the branches in whorls 

 of 5-7; branclilets elongated, horizontal to slightly pendent or slightly 

 ascending at the ends; leafy branclilets very long: leaves oblong-lanceolate to 

 elliptic, imbricated, concave, arched toward the branch, nearly or quite 

 obtuse, H-M inch long, with a prominent dorsal nerve, silvery-gray on 

 the upper and rich glossy green on the lower side. New Caledonia. — 

 Introduced in 1863 to Great Britain. A very handsome plant of regular 

 habit with stout branchlets and dark green foliage. Variable at different 

 ages. When young, the branches are often drooping and the leaves com- 

 pressed and obscurely 4-angled and nearly or quite subulate: var. poly- 

 morpha, Bailey {Eutada Rulei polymorpha, Carr.). 



Var. Goldieana, Mast. A form with more sparingly ramified erect or 

 ascending branches and narrower leaves. 



A related species rarely grown is A. Balansae, Brongn. & Oris. Slow- 

 growing plant with usually 5 slender branches in a tier: leaves imbricate, 

 short, ovate, J^ inch long, stiff, falcate, obtuse, dark olive-green: cones 

 subglobose, 4 inches long. New Caledonia. — Introduced in 1875. 



5. A. Cookii, R. Br. {A. columnaris. Hook.). A slender columnar tree 

 attaining 200 feet in height, much narrower in shape than A. excelsa which 

 it closely resembles when young; branches disposed as in ^. excelsa, but tree 

 tending to shed the lower ones; branchlets crowded on the branches and 

 turning upward in a boat-like form : young leaves rather closely arranged on 

 the branchlet and M-3^ inch long, broad and slightly decurrent at base, 

 slightly curved, mucronate; adult leaves densely imbricated, short and 

 ovate, obtuse: staminate flowers ij^ inches long: cones globose-ovoid, 4-5 

 inches high and 3-4 inches in diameter; scales terminating in a long subulate 

 mucro. New Caledonia and New Hebrides. — Introduced about 1850 to 

 Great Britain. 



6. A. excelsa, R. Br. Norfolk-Island-Pine. Tree attaining 200 feet in 

 height; branches frondose, in whorls of 4-7: leaves curved and sharp-pointed, 

 rather soft, H~/^ inch long, and densely placed on the horizontal or droop- 

 ing branclilets: cones subglobose, broadest at base, 4-6 inches across; scales 

 terminating in an incurved spine. Norfolk Islands. — Introduced to England 

 about 1793 by J. Banks. This is the most commonly cultivated species, 

 being much grown as small pot-specimens. It is an excellent house plant, 

 and keeps well in a cool room near a window. In summer it may be used on 

 the veranda, but must be shaded. 



Var. glauca, Carr. Bluish A. With bluish-green foliage, 

 Var. albo-spica, Mast. Silver-Star A. Tips of the young branchlets 

 white. 



