110 FOREST TREES. 
straggling petals, without beauty either of form or 
color. The figure in Michaux’s “ Sylva,” must have 
been taken by mistake from some other species, since 
neither in form nor color does it at all resemble the 
flower of the Cucumber Tree. 
The wood resembles that of the Tulip Tree, but is 
less strong and durable. It is sawed into boards and 
used for the inside finish of houses, and for other 
purposes to which the Linden or Basswood is applied. 
It does not rank high among useful trees. 
The seeds have a thin, pulpy covering, of a bright 
red color, and after leaving the cells of the cone in 
which they grow, remain awhile suspended by a white 
filament. They must be sown immediately, or kept 
in damp sand till spring, secure from mice. If allowed 
to become dry they will not vegetate. They are some- 
what tardy in germinating after being sown. The 
young plants must be shaded from the hot sun while 
tender, and should be protected during the first 
winter. The tree may be propagated by layers, but 
the plants so produced are inferior to those raised 
from seed. 
2, Magnolia cordata—Yellow Cucumber Tree. 
Leaves, heart-shaped, somewhat ovate-acute, under 
surface woolly, upper surface smooth; petals, six or 
nine; flowers yellow. 
This species, which is found in Georgia and South 
Carolina, grows to the height of forty or fifty feet. 
It is esteemed for the beanty of its yellow flowers, 
which form a fine contrast with the rich foliage. It 
