PODOCARPUS CHINENSIS, ETC. 319 



Although found at considerable elevations on the Andes of Patagonia, 

 in company with Libocedrus tetragona, Fitzroya patagonica, and Saxe- 

 Gotlima conspicua, this remarkable Podocarp may thus far be considered 

 as having failed to become acclimatised in Great Britain, a circumstance 

 to be regretted, in consequence of the very distinct character of the 

 plant, and the new feature it would introduce into our shrubberies. 



PodoCarpUS chinensis. — A shrub or small tree, with erect trunk, 

 short branches and slender green branchlets furnished with linear- 

 lanceolate leaves, from 2 to 3 inches long. It is abundant in south- 

 eastern China; it is also met with in Japan under cultivation. Living 

 specimens are now rare in Great Britain. 



Podocarpus Nageia. — A beautiful Japanese tree, often from 40 to 

 50 feet high, with erect trunk, furnished with alternate and opposite 

 branches, rather slender, and sometimes pendulous. The leaves are 

 broadly ovate, attenuated at the point, and slightly glaucescent. It is 

 one of the trees first made known to Europeans by Keempfer so long ago 

 as 1690, but not introduced till the present century. Prom the shape of 

 the leaves it is sometimes called the Japanese Laurel. It is rather tender. 



Podocarpus Totara is the Totara Pine of New Zealand, much 

 valued by the colonists on account of its excellent timber. It is the 

 typical tree of the central and south-eastern portion of the Northern 

 Island, where it attains a height of from 60 to 100 feet. It has long 

 slender branches, rather twiggy at their extremities, and clothed with 

 rigid sharp-pointed leaves, varying from one-third to one inch in length, 

 and of a pale yellowish-green. The species is now quite rare in England 

 owing to its inability to stand the severity of some of our winters. 



Dacrydium Pranklinii. — The Huon Pine of Tasmania. A tall 

 tree, often attaining a height of 100 feet, with a trunk proportionately 

 large. The branches are short, and grow horizontally from the trunk ; 

 the branchlets numerous, slender, pendulous, and clothed with scale-like 

 imbricated leaves like those of an Arbor Vite or Cypress. It is 

 moderately hardy, and is not unfrequently met with in British collec- 

 tions. The timber of the Huon Pine is close grained, durable, and has 

 an aromatic fragrance. 



Dacrydium cupressinum. — A pyramidal tree, with weeping 

 branches and pale green foliage. The leaves are small and closely 

 imbricated all round. " It is the typical tree of the western district of 

 the North Island, New Zealand. It is usually from 60 to 100 feet 

 hi«h, with a trunk 3 to 5 feet in diameter. The timber is largely 

 used in the colony for building and for other constructive purposes."* 

 It is rather tender in England. 



# Captain C. Walker, Report on New Zealamd Forests. 



