222 A MANUAL 0¥ THE C0NIFEK2E. 



late, sharply pointed, rigid, coriaceous in texture, the margins 

 roughened by slight serratures, yellowish-green above, two broad 

 glaucescent bands beneath, and with a mid-rib running up the 

 centre; they are two-rowed in direction (sub-distichous) owing to 

 a slightly oblique twist at the base. The cones are of ovate form, 

 erect, from 1 to 1£ inch in length, and composed of numerous 

 imbricated coriaceous persistent scales, each bearing three seeds. 



Habitat. — Southern China. 



Introduced into England in 1804, by Mr. William Kerr, under 

 instructions from the Directors of the East India Company. * 



The Cunningliamia cannot be said to have adapted itself to the 

 climate of England. Although there are specimens of considerable size 

 scattered over the country, which have withstood the severest winters 

 known, the tree cannot be considered very hardy. The foliage is 

 discoloured by the frost of an ordinary winter, and it has accordingly 

 an unhealthy appearance, which, with its somewhat scantily furnished 

 trunk and branches, deprives it of the ornamental qualities it undoubtedly 

 possesses in its native country. With so many disadvantages, the 

 Cunninghamia can only be regarded as an interesting curiosity worthy 

 of preservation, as an illustration of the vegetation of a period separated 

 from the present by geological ages. 



It was named in compliment to Mr. James Cunningham, who 

 discovered it in the neighbourhood of Canton, in 1702. 



Athrotaxis.t — A genus of evergreen trees or shrubs, with 

 numerous jointed branches, clothed with coriaceous imbricated 

 foliage, and bearing small ovate cones about the size of a hazel 

 nut, composed of many scales, having from three to six seeds in each. 

 The species are all natives of Tasmania, where they are restricted 

 to a few localities, and occur in limited numbers. They were 

 introduced to British gardens between the years 1847 and 1850, 

 and have proved comparatively hardy. Their Lycopod or Selaginella- 

 like aspect renders them very distinct, and when planted in good 

 soil in sheltered situations they are very ornamental, and useful 

 for contrast. 



Athrotaxis from adpooe (athroos), "crowded together," and rd&s 



(taxis), "arrangement," in reference to the crowded arrangement 



of the scales of the cones. 



* Loudon, Arb. et Frut., p. 2446. 



t "Errore Arthrotaxis auctorum fere omnium." Bentham and Hooker Gen. Plant, vol. 

 iii., p. 430. 



