SCIAD0PYT1S VEKTIC1LLATA. 



201 



Sciadopitys verticillata. — The Umbrella Pine of Japan is a tall 

 tree of conical habit, upwards of 100 feet high, with spreading 

 branches, which are alternate or sub-verticillate, and having leaves 

 clustered at the extremities. The foliage, not less than the habit and 

 general aspect of the tree, forms a distinguishing characteristic in this 

 remarkable Conifer; the leaves are in double whorls, of from twenty 

 to thirty in each (see fig. 47), varying in length from 2 to 4 inches, 

 according to the vigour and age of the plant, spreading, leathery 

 in texture, double-ribbed, and obtusely pointed; they are at first of 

 a light fulvous green, but the colour deepens by age, and the 

 mature leaves are deep glossy green, the furrow on the under 

 surface being yellowish, and very distinct. The cones are cylindrical 

 and vary in size from 2 to 4 inches long, and from 1J to 2£ 

 inches in diameter. The scales are large in proportion to the size 

 of the cone, broadly wedge-shaped, and each bearing from six to 

 nine seeds; they are arranged round an axis composed of the solid 

 wood of the tree, at the apex of which there is sometimes developed 

 a whorl of perfect foliage leaves. 



Habitat. — Japan, on Mount Kojasanin, in the Island of Nippon. 



Introduced by us in 1861, through Mr. J. G. Veitch. It was 

 sent to the late Mr. Standish of Ascot about the same time, by 

 Mr. Eobert Fortune. 



The earliest notice of the Sciadopitys is by Thunberg in 1784, 

 who described it as a species of Yew. Its true character Was deters 

 mined by Siebold, many years afterwards, and who gave it its scientific 



