22 ARBORETUM ET FRUTICETUM BRITANNICUM. 
Gen. Char. Calyx of 3 deciduous sepals, that resemble petals. Corolla of 
from 6—9 petals. Stamens numerous. Pisfils numerous. Carpels disposed 
compactly m spikes, opening by the external angie, 1—2-seeded, permanent. 
Seeds baccate, somewhat cordate, pendulous, hanging out beyond the car- 
pels by a very long umbilical white thread. . 
Leaves simple, alternate, stipulate, deciduous or evergreen ; entire, large, 
oblong or oval, stipulate. Fvowers terminal, solitary, large, odoriferous. 
Seed large, roundish, produced in conical strobiles. Trees and_ shrubs, 
natives of North America and Asia. 
One of the species is a lofty evergreen tree; but the others are decidu- 
ous, and partly trees and partly shrubs. The seeds are mostly of a scarlet 
colour. The roots are branched, and yet but sparingly supplied with 
fibres. Magnolias may be cultivated in most parts of Britain, and of the 
middle and southern states of Europe ; but, north of London and Paris, some 
of the species require protection during winter, or to be keptin the green- 
house. A deep sandy soil, and a situation sheltered from the north and east, 
will suit most of the species ; though some, as M. gladca, for example, thrive 
best in a moist peaty soil. Few of the species ripen seeds in England, but 
most of them do so in France. From these seeds, or from such as are im- 
ported, all the American’ species, except M. grandiflora, are most frequently 
raised ; but the species from Asia are increased by layers, as are occasionally 
some of the more rare of the American species. In no case whatever would 
we recommend purchasing any species of magnolia not grown in a pot; 
because plants so grown may be sent to any distance without injury to the 
roots, which are few and succulent, and easily damaged by exposure to the 
air and light. The hardy species of this genus are included in two sections, 
Magnoliastrum and Gwillimia. 
§ i, Magnoliastrum. 
Derivation. Magnolia; and astrum, from ad instar, an affixed particle, signifying likeness. 
Sect. Char. American species, with one spathe-like bractea enclosing the 
flower-bud ; ovaries approximate ; anthers bursting outwards. (Don’s 
Mill, i. p. 83.) 
£ 1. Macno'ir4 Granpirto'ra L. The large-flowered Magnolia. 
Identification. Lin. Sp., 755.; Dec. Prod., 1. p.80.; Don's Mill.,1. p.82.; Tor. and Gray, 
1. p. 42 
Synonymes. Laurel-leaved Magnolia, the large-flowered evergreen Magnolia, the Laurel Bay, big 
Laurel, the large Magnolia; Laurier tulipier, Fx. in Louisiana; Magnolie a grandes Fleurs, 
fFr.; grossblumiger Magnolie, or Bieberbaum (Beaver-wood Tree), Ger. 
Engravings. Mill. Ic., 2. t. 172.; the plate in vol. v. of Arb. Brit. Ist edit. ; and our fig. 34. 
Spec. Char., §c. Evergreen. Leaves oval-oblong, coriaceous, upper surface 
shining, under surface rusty. Flowers erect, 9—12 petals, expanding. (Don’s 
Mil.) A large evergreen tree. North Carolina. Height in North 
America 60 ft. to 70 ft.; in England 20 ft. to 30 ft. Introduced in 1737. 
Flowers white, fragrant; June to September. Strobile brown, with scarlet 
seeds ; ripe in October. Decaying leaves yellow and orange, dropping in 
June. Young wood green. 
Varietes. 
2 M. g. 2 obovdta Ait — Leaves obovate-oblong. Flowers expanded. 
(Hort. Kew., iii. p. 329.) This seems to be the only variety found 
in a wild state. In British gardens it is a magnificent plant, the 
broad ends of its leaves forming a conspicuous feature, and distin- 
guishing it readily from the original species, the leaves of which are 
gointed ; but it does not flower freely. 
