BACCIFEE^. 155 



two to six inches long, and from half an inch to two inches broad ; 

 more laurel-like than pine-like. In form, linear, lanceolate, oblong, 

 three-sided, or awl-shaped; generally opposite, but frequently alternate; 

 two-rowed or five-rowed ; all more or less leathery, stiff, and shining ; 

 of various shades of broT\Ti, yellow, light or dark green ; all more or 

 less numerously nerved and furrowed ; and some have numerous 

 Stomata, — or breathing-pores on their surface. 



Fruit, plum-like, globular, generally singly, but frequently in twos 

 or threes; various in size; some the size of a pea, some as large as 

 cherries, changing from green to dark purple when ripe ; but the beau- 

 tiful fascicle inflorescence assumes many forms in their cup-like scales 

 or bracts, which at first seems like the germ or embryo of a single 

 fruit ; but many of them being temporary, or deciduous in their nature, 

 they frequently become disposed in bunches, changing as they increase 

 in. maturity through many shades of green, yellow, or brown; and 

 when thoroughly matured forming a fleshy, thin, glaucous, soft, 

 powdery, sloe-like berry, the seed of which is enclosed in the inner 

 thin, hard, brittle, and bony shell. 



In this section fGalo2?lujllus,J we have two species, which are to be 

 found in many forms or varieties, 



PODOCARPUS JapONICA: The Japan Podocarpus. 



This is the "iVa^i,'' o^ " Catkin-bearing Laurel" of the Orientals, 

 attaining heights of from twenty-five to fifty feet ; having a smooth, 

 fleshy, soft bark, which is of a brown colour; and its resinous juice is 

 strongly balsamic, and highly odoriferous. Its leaves are from one- 

 and-a-half to three inches long, and about half as broad as long ; gene- 

 rally deep green above, and yellowish or light green below. Its 

 branches are generally spreading, opposite, or in whorls ; mostly 

 pendent when old, though more or less aspiring when j'oung. Of its 

 many forms I recognize: — Cuspidata, (long-pointed leaved,) Grandi- 

 folla, (having leaves five to seven inches long, and one to two inches 

 broad,) Ovata, (ovate-leaved,) Ovata Variegata, (variegated ovate-leaved 

 variety,) and Aurea, (golden,) and Argentea, (silvery,) variegated varieties 

 of it. All of which are most beaiitiful ornamental plants, but unfor- 

 tunately more or less tender, and much too delicate and fastidious in 

 such a climate as ours. 



Podocarpus LatIFOLIA •• The Broad-Leaved Podocarpus. 



This is the " S'lplough " Pine of India, a most beautiful little ever- 

 green tree, attaining heights of from twenty to eighty feet in its 

 native habitats, the mountains of Pundna and Salak, and in the Island 



