CUNN1NGHAHIA SINENSIS. 221 



• branchlets, more pyramidal habit, shorter leaves, and deeper green colour. 

 Seeds of the Japanese Cryptomeria were sent by Dr. Siebold to the 

 Dutch Botanic Garden at Buitenzorg, in Java, so long ago as 1825, 

 and one of the trees raised from this seed was the parent plant of 

 those brought to us from the same garden in 1853, by Mr. Thomas 

 Lobb, from which originated all those now cultivated under the name 

 of Cryptomeria japonica Lobbi. It is, therefore, evident that the latter 

 is the true G. japonica, although Siebold affirms that it differs from 

 the Japanese type in its lighter green foliage, but this difference is too 

 trifling to affect the main fact. It would be a more correct nomen- 

 clature for the tree at present known in British gardens as G. japonica, 

 to be called G. japonica Fortunei, and that known as G. japonica 

 Lobbi, to be called G. japonica. 



The economic value of the Cryptomeria in its native country is 

 very great ; it grows in all situations and soils, in deep wet valleys 

 and high up mountain sides ; it is, thence, one of the commonest, as it 

 is also one of the most useful, of Japanese timber trees. The wood 

 is of a reddish colour, light, soft, fine in grain, and easily worked ; it 

 is used for all kinds of carpentry and joinery. Owing to the frequent 

 occurrence of earthquakes in Japan, which necessitates the building of 

 houses entirely of wood, and, on the other hand, the destructive fires 

 which sometimes lay waste a whole town in a few hours, the con- 

 sumption of Cryptomeria timber proceeds at a rapid pace. 



In England the Cryptomeria has proved to be hardy, but good 

 specimens are comparatively rare in this country, owing, probably, to 

 climatal causes, the most potent being a less annual rainfall, and a 

 lower average summer temperature than in Japan. It is only in deep 

 rich soils, with abundance of moisture, and protected from piercing 

 winds, that the Cryptomeria develops the fine ornamental quabties it 

 is seen to possess in its native country, and when planted in such 

 spots, a clear space having a radius of not less than 15 feet should 

 be allowed for it. 



Cryptomeria is formed from Kprnrb? (kruptos), "hidden," and ficpor 

 (meros), "a share or part." The name was given by Professor Don, on 

 account of its obscure relationship to the Cedar. The popular name 

 in Japan is Sungi, or the evergreen Fir ; it is not unfrequently called 

 the Japanese Cedar in England. 



Ourmillghamia sinensis. — A medium-sized tree of Araucaria-like 

 aspect, from 40 to 50 feet high in its native country, but much 

 less under cultivation in Europe. Its trunk is straight and cylin- 

 drical, the branches short, spreading horizontally, at first regularly 

 verticillate, subsequently in the older trees becoming very irregular. 

 The leaves are from 1 to 2 inches long, without foot-stalks, lanceo- 



