FOREST TREES. 109 
MAGNOLIA. 
Natural Order, Magnoliacee. 
Sepals, three; petals, six tonine; stamens, numer- 
ous; pistils, numerous; carpels, disposed compactly 
in spikes, opening by the external angle; one or two- 
seeded, permanent; seeds, berry-like, hanging by an 
extensile thread. 
The Magnolias comprise a considerable number of 
species, all of which are more or less desirable as 
ornamental trees, but of little value for timber. With 
one or two exceptions, their wood is séldom used for 
any purpose whatever. The bark of some species is 
sometimes employed as a substitute for Peruvian 
bark. They all produce their blossoms while young. 
1. Magnolia acuminata—Cucumber Tree. 
Leaves, oblong, pointed, green, and a little pubes- 
cent beneath; petals, glacous, green, tinged with 
yellow, oblong; cone of fruit, small, cylindrical. 
The Cucumber Tree is found from Western New 
York, through Ohio and Indiana, to Southern Illinois, 
and southward. Excepting the Big Laurel of the 
Southern States, this is the largest of its genus, grow- 
ing to the height of from sixty to ninety feet. It is 
quite hardy considerably further north than its native 
localities. In good soils it grows rapidly, and its fine 
shape, and the size and beauty of its foliage, render 
it a desirable ornamental tree. Unlike others of its 
genus, the flowers of this species, though large, add 
nothing to its beauty. They consist of six-twisted, 
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