FOREST TREES OF CALIFORNIA, 



CALIFORNIA NUTMEG TREE. 



(Torreya Californica.) 



" Low whispering through the shade." — Barbauld. 



r I 1HIS very charming evergreen tree is one of the most 

 fascinating of all the Yew family. Some, perhaps, are 

 more grand and imposing, as the Kakaterro (Dacrydium 

 ta.vifolia), of New Zealand ; or elegantly fan-form and fern- 

 like in foliage as the Ginko (Salisburia adiantifolia), and 

 others of Asia. Our false nutmeg-like yew, and kindred 

 species, so highly extolled and appreciated for beauty, are 

 only separated from coniferous trees by their fruits not 

 being collected into cones, each seed growing singly by its 

 independent self and not protected by hardened scales, 

 although sometimes in clusters of several. They are, never- 

 theless, in a similar manner resinous. These trees have also 

 the general appearance and habit of conifers. From the 

 most ancient times, all the Taxads have been celebrated for 

 their remarkable firmness, durability, and great elasticity — 

 held in highest renown for the primeval weapons of war — 

 wars are still waged for their possession in the isles afar off, 

 both for their bows and for their idols, and by the common 

 consent of all mankind the timber is considered the best 

 known in the world ; our own appear to be no exception to 

 the rule. 



The California Nutmeg Tree towers in the coast forest, 

 eighty to one hundred feet high ; clean trunk of forty feet, 

 straight as an arrow, and four feet in diameter. As more 

 commonly seen, it is of moderate stature, say forty to sixty 

 feet high by about two to three feet through. Wholly exposed, 

 or partially, on the margins of woodlands, it may become 

 smaller and more round-headed. 



The leaves, from a yew point of view, are long, two to two 

 and one half inches, narrow and line-like, rigid and flat, 

 with very sharp awl-pointed or prickly tips, color rather 

 dark shining green, arranged in two rows, one on each side 

 of the twigs, after the usual way of yews, spruces, and firs. 



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