the Arboretum et Fruticetum Britannicum. 24-1 



Coni'fer.e Cupre'ssinje, Arb. Brit. p. 2464*., Hort. Lig. p. 125. 



The following paragraphs are translated from the Linncea, vol. xii., as pro- 

 mised in p. 130. The object is to make collectors acquainted with these 

 different species, in order that, if possible, they may introduce them. 



Cupressus thurifera H.B. & Kth. — We admit that the tree-like cypress in 

 fruit, collected by Schiede, in the cold region, on the chain of mountains be- 

 tween Mexico and Cuernaavacao, below Encarnacion, and near St. Francisco 

 cerea de Jenango, belongs to the species collected by Humboldt, near Tasco 

 and Techuilotepec, at a height of only 920 toises, although some of them do 

 not very well agree, and our friends have not mentioned that it is called cedar 

 by the natives. I cannot find the following characteristic in the specimens 

 before me : " Folia ovato-lanceolata acuminato-pungentia, vix lineam longa." 

 [Leaves ovate-lanceolate, acuminate-pointed, scarcely a line in length.] The 

 leaves on the young shoots have, indeed, points, but they do not come gra- 

 dually to a point, and stand upright. They are about one third of a line long, 

 and lie closely pressed over each other in four rows, and it is only on the old 

 twigs that they appear more pointed and larger ; the cones that are burst open 

 are smaller than sloes, and are about half an inch in diameter. A correct 

 comparison of the specimens collected by Humboldt, or of those found in the 

 same localities by others, with ours, would decide the point. 



Cupressus sabinoides H.B. & Kth. — Not a decidedly fixed species, on account 

 of the doubtfulness of the genus. See Juniperus tetragona, below. 



Juniperus mexicdna Schiede. — There is a short characteristic description 

 of this species given in the Linncea, vol. v. p. 77. Schiede found this species 

 in the Llanos de Pirote, and Charles Ehrenberg near Mineral del Monte, at 

 a height from 8000 ft. to 10,000 ft. It is a high pyramidal tree, from which a 

 pale yellow resin frequently exudes, resembling sandarac, and which is found 

 in drops or lumps on the branches, and is more frequently found on trees 

 growing in low situations, than on those which are higher. This, as well as 

 the following species, is called Sabina and also Cedro by the natives. The 

 cone-berries (Zapfenbeeren) appear to be pretty large. We saw some half an 

 inch in diameter. The scales do not sufficiently meet so as to cover the seed, 

 so that one or two of the latter stand out quite free, from the point of the 

 berry; or more rarely, stand out singly at the sides, separated by the substance 

 of the berry. The specific name of mexicana is not very good, as we have 

 already three species from that country, but it cannot be altered. The twigs 

 and leaves of this species very much resemble the above-named cypress. The 

 leaves do not always stand in threes on the twigs, but are often opposite ; 

 they are egg-shaped, and pointed ; on the points of the youngest shoots only 

 a half to three fourths of a line long, and have frequently two small longi- 

 tudinal furrows on the back ; the points are pressed to the shoot, and close 

 together; the small shoots stiff and straight. The male catkins are only 1J 

 lines long, the scales almost kidney-shaped, with small convex closely pressed 

 points, slightly bent inwards, and a cavity underneath in the middle of the 

 scale. 



Juniperus fiaccida. New species. — A strong high tree with hanging shoots 

 (Zweigen), with four-rowed, scaled, egg-shaped, little, lance-like leaves ; the 

 fruit globular, with projecting pointed scales. Schiede found this species 

 at Atotonilco el ChL-o, in June, 1830, and Charles Ehrenberg at Regla, at a 

 height of from 6000ft. to 8000 ft. This tree produces a fine resin, but in a 

 smaller quantity than the preceding species ; and is easily distinguished by its 

 thin pliable shoots, and very pointed upright little leaves, which are from 

 three fourths to a line long. The male flowers (like those of J. virginiana) 

 appear in small catkins on all the points of the small shoots ; their scales also 

 are pointed, but the points are not so much extended ; yet neither they nor 

 the leaves are bent inwardly, but stand upright, and rather somewhat out- 

 wardly inclined. The bursting of the seed from the cone-berry also takes 

 place here, but almost quite in a regular manner, as the seeds make their ap- 



Vol. XV. — No. 110. s 



