THE FETID YEWS. 311 



Torreya grandis.— A tree of Yew-like aspect, from 40 to 50 feet 

 high, with erect trunk and spreading branches. The leaves are 

 about an inch long, slightly convex above, and marked beneath on 

 each side of the keel by two furrows of a paler colour. The fruit 

 is plum-shaped, about three-quarters of an inch long. 



It was introduced from northern China, by Mr. Fortune, in 1847. 

 It is scarcely distinguishable from the Japanese Torreya nucifera. 



Torreya myristica. — A handsome tree attaining a height of 50 

 feet in the ravines of the Sierra Nevada, in California, where it 

 was discovered by our collector, William Lobb, in 1851. It is 

 easily distinguished from the other species by its longer leaves, 

 which are often two or more inches in length, nearly flat, deep 

 glossy green above, paler beneath, with a sunken line on each side 

 of the midrib. The fruit is elliptic, about 1£ inch long. 



It was introduced by us in 1851. 



Torreya nucifera.— A pyramidal tree from 40 to 60 feet high, 

 with the aspect of Abies firma. The leaves are about an inch long, 

 and present much the same characters as those of T. grandis, 

 described above. The fruit is egg-shaped, about an inch long. It 

 is found sparingly on the mountains, and also on the west coast 

 of Nippon, Japan. 



It was introduced into European gardens about forty years ago, 

 by Dr. Siebold. 



Torreya nucifera, as it grows on the western coast of Nippon, is 

 somewhat different from the inland tree. The trunk is stouter, attain- 

 ing a diameter of from 2| to 3 feet, the head more dense, and 

 instead of the pyramidal form of Abies firma, it has a rounded top, 

 not unlike that of the older Yews of this country; the leaves are 

 also shorter, narrower, and more pointed. _ In this situation it has for 

 its surroundings Camellias, Diospyrus Kaki, and other well known 

 half-hardy garden favourites. 

 Torreya taxifoUa.— The Fetid Tew of Florida, the first species 

 of Torreya known, was discovered so recently as 1838. It is a 

 handsome tree 40 feet high, clothed with very stiff leathery leaves, 

 having sharp spiny points, and emitting a disagreeable odour when 

 bruised. The fruit is obovate in shape, and about an inch long. 

 It is rather tender in the climate of Great Britain. 



The wood of this species is said to be exceedingly durable, and 

 also odoriferous, especially when burned. 



