THE ARAUCARIA. 261 
struction ; but dangerous if run against, as its numerous leaves 
are stiff, and lanceolate, and readily pierce deeply; hence 
arises the name in its native country, “monkey puzzle.” 
With this tree there is no shedding of leaves, at least for 
many years. The largest trees 1 have met with retain the 
leaves that clothed the young plants twenty or thirty years 
ago, now situated near or far asunder according to the thick- 
ness of the stem. The branches are produced in whorls ; but 
these do not indicate the age of the tree as the number of 
whorls do that of the pine. 
In the north of Scotland some fine specimens of the tree are 
to be met with. It grows vigorously at Dunrobin Castle, in 
Sutherlandshire. In Ross-shire, at Rosehaugh House, it forms 
a handsome tree; and at Conon House, in the same county, 
it stands from thirty to thirty-five feet high, with a girth of 
four feet near the surface of the ground. 
Seedling plants from imported seed abound in nurseries, 
and are sold from one shilling upwards, according to size. 
In the Gardener's Chronicle of 1st June 1867, I observe a 
report by Mr James Barnes, Bicton, Devonshire, on the 
splendid araucarias at that place, both male and female trees, 
where fertilized seeds have been produced, and promising 
young plants raised and planted out. Mr. Barnes has had 
much experience in the conifere, and he says it is impossible 
in any way to distinguish the difference between the male 
and female trees about 30 feet high, until they yield blossom. 
He gives no credit to the differences detailed by travellers of 
the size and shape of the sexes in their native country, unless 
these are developed at a more advanced stage of their growth. 
It may be expected that plants grown from seed produced in 
Britain will be found far better adapted to our climate than 
those raised from imported seed. 
