282 [Proc. B. N. F. C, 



to Cryptomeria, then I doubted, hesitated, but after a prolonged 

 investigation, T am perfectly certain that they belong to Cryp- 

 tomeria and no other genus. In dealing with fossil plants, first 

 impressions from superficial resemblance are very often correct, 

 but until every possible comparison has been made, and the 

 issue narrowed down to one or two by a process of natural 

 rejection, the determination will possess no scientific value. In 

 this case, the existing genus, being Japanese, has been cultivated 

 for ages with a view to produce sports or varieties which are held 

 in religious esteem. The Cryptomeria of our gardens is one of 

 these, introduced by Mr. Fortune from seed gathered in the north 

 of China and the Isle of Chusan, and has leaves nearly twice as 

 long and more closely pressed to the branches than the true 

 stock of Japan. Plants transplanted to hills in Java, under 

 similar conditions and temperature, have rapidly degenerated, 

 and approach the fossil type of foliage. The cones also are 

 excessively bracteated, and the scales deeply fringed so as to 

 mask their structure, but fruiting specimens identical with the 

 fossil are not uncommon, and as devoid of bracts. Whether 

 bracteated and fimbriated or not, we, have only to imbed them 

 in plaster to represent the conditions of the fossil, and then cut 

 through them, to make certain that the fossil cones are Cryp- 

 tomeria and nothing else. There can be no doubt that our 

 Conifer is the wild stock of the existing Cryptomeria, which still 

 loves a basaltic and humid soil, and under such conditions forms 

 vast forests ; at least a tenth part of those which clothe the 

 three principal isles of Japan from 500 to 1200 feet above the 

 sea being formed of this tree. Its fine pyramidal crests and deep 

 green contrasts with the laurels and bamboos, and gives a peculiar 

 and characteristic aspect to forests of Eastern and Southern 

 Japan. It occasionally rivals its companion Cypress in bulk and 

 height, and is a majestic tree, strongly recalling Araucaria 

 Cunnmghami. This plant, unlike the Cypress, abounds at 

 Glenarm, as we might expect on the supposition that those beds 

 contain the spoils of lower land ; for it ranges within 500 feet 

 of the sea-level, while the Cypress is a more purely Alpine tree. 



