THE CHINESE ARBOR VIM. 



251 



of Biota rests ; in Thuia tlio seeds are winged. The generic separation 

 of the Chinese from the American Arbor Vitse by Endlicher, although 

 adopted by Parlatore and others, has not generally found acceptance. 

 By Mr. Bentham and Sir J. D. Hooker both are referred to Thuia 

 (Thuya). — Gen. PL, vol. iii., par. 1, p. 427. 



The Biota is a native of China and Japan, where it has also 

 been long cultivated as an ornamental shrub, and where many 

 interesting varieties have been raised, some of which have been 

 introduced to British gardens. The common form was first brought 

 to Europe about the middle of the eighteenth century, by French 

 missionaries; it has been in cultivation in England since 1752. 



Biota from (3ior>) (biote), meaning "living" or "mode of life," 

 a lengthened form of fiioQ (bios), " life," in allusion to the ever- 

 green character of the plant. 



The following Synoptic Table includes the most distinct forms of 

 European and Japanese origin, 



