312 A MANUAL OP THE CONIFERS. 



IV .—GINKGO. The Maiden-Hair Tree. 



In the Ginkgo or Salisburia we have a remarkable exception to 

 the Tew-like aspect which characterises all the other hardy Taxads. 

 So greatly does the Maiden-Hair Tree differ from all other Coniferous 

 trees, that its affinity to them would scarcely be suspected on 

 superficial inspection. An examination of the flowers, and especially 

 of the fruit, and comparing them with the same parts of the 

 common Tew, will show, however, that the Ginkgo belongs to the 

 same tribe, although an isolated member of it. 



The fruit or berry is by no means common in this country, for the 

 Ginkgo is dioecious, and the greater number of the large trees growing 

 in England are staminferous or males. Fertile trees are still rare, and 

 both kinds require in our climate to attain a considerable age before 

 they produce flowers. 



Not much can be ■ said of the economic value -of the Maiden-Hair 

 Tree. The wood is yellowish-white, with a fine close grain, and 

 moderately hard. It is easy to work, receive a fine polish, and 

 resembles in its general appearance citron wood ; it is more solid and 

 strong that the ordinary white woods of Europe. The Ginkgo is peculiar 

 among Coniferous trees for the absence of resinous secretions. In China 

 and Japan it is cultivated for the sake of its fruit, the nuts being 

 much esteemed ; and in Japan, in Ksempfer's time, these formed part 

 of every entertainment. 



The Ginkgo is of geological antiquity. In the Miocence period it 

 included several species or forms which were spread over the greater 

 part of the northern hemisphere in company with the Glyptostrobus 

 and Liriodendron, trees that are still associated with it in its present 

 habitat. 



Ginkgo* is the Chinese name, meaning "deciduous." This name 

 was adopted by Linnaeus, and by priority of application, should be 

 preferred to Salisburia, the scientific name hitherto generally current 

 in this country. It is called the Maiden-Hair Tree from the 

 resemblance of the leaves in shape to the pinnules of Adiantum 

 Capillus-Veneris, the Maiden-Hair Pern. In France it is popularly 

 known by the eccentric name of L'arbre aux quarante ecus.\ There 

 is only one species at present known. 



* It is called "Iteho" by the Japanese. 

 t For the origin of this curious name, see Loudon, Art. et Frut., p. 2096. 



