1 8 FIELD AND FOREST. 



mate and very fine examples may be seen in the Capitol grounds and 

 other places. These are Acer platanoides, and Acer pseudo-platanus, 

 both being called Norway Maple, though that name properly applies 

 to the former only. These species have been quite liberally planted 

 along the streets recently improved by the Board of Public Works. 



Some very fine specimens of the Horse-chestnut {^sculus Hippo- 

 castanum) are existing in the city ; some very old trees in private gar- 

 dens. It, too, has received attention in the recent street planting, for 

 which it seems to be pretty well adapted. In the Congressional Gar- 

 den is a very thrifty tree of Sterculia platanoides, which has flowered 

 and borne fruit for several years. The fruit is a large capsule which 

 splits, when ripe, into five leathery valves, each one bearing seed on 

 the margin, and presenting a beautiful illustration of the structure of 

 the capsule from modified leaves whose margins are inflexed and dila- 

 ted to form the placentae. It seems to be quite hardy in this latitude 

 and deserving of wider culture. There are a few specimens of the Pride 

 of India or Chiaia tree, {Melia Azederach), but it appears to be too 

 far north to flourish; in the Southern States it is a favorite shade- 

 tree. Kcelreuteria paniculata, also from China, is a small ornamental 

 tree which here seems to thrive remarkably well. It has pinnate leaves 

 of coarsely toothed leaflets, and panicles of small yellow flowers, suc- 

 ceeded by bunches of bladdery pods similar to those of our Staphylea, 

 of which it is a near relative. Oi Alhizzia Julibrissin, the Chinese Silk- 

 tree, there are numerous specimens which are thrifty and ornamental, 

 and it is the only tree of the Acacia family which is cultivated in this 

 latitude. 



There are some large trees of Fauloiania iinperialis of Japan, having 

 large heart-shaped leaves, much like the Catalpa. Early^in spring it 

 is covered with large panicles of light purple flowers; these are fol- 

 lowed by heavy bunches of leathery capsules which remain on the tree 

 during the winter and frequently during the following year. The 

 branches have a straggling habit, and the tree can hardly be considered 

 ornamental except when covered with flowers. The European Elm 

 ( Ulmus campestris) occurs in several of the parks, and a few large trees 

 are found in the streets. It has a closer habit of growth than the Amer- 

 ican Elm, but is stiff and destitute of the graceful beauty of our species. 

 The Paper Mulberry of Japan and China {Broussonetiapapjrifera) is 

 not much esteemed, being too coarse and unsymmetrical, but it is ag- 



