1895.] Sargent’s Studies of the Forests of Japan. 1055 
the Elm of Europe (Ulmus campestris), although of much 
smaller growth. Related to the Elm is the Zelkova, “ perhaps 
the largest deciduous-leaved tree of Japan,” as well as “its 
most valuable timber tree.” It attains a height of one hun- 
dred feet, and a diameter of eight to ten feet. The best known 
of the Japanese Oaks is Quercus dentata, a tall but irregular 
tree, “remarkable for the great size of its leaves, which are 
often a foot. long and eight inches broad.” Quercus crispula 
and Quercus grosseserrata are excellent timber trees, eighty to a 
hundred feet in height, with a diameter of three to four feet. 
The Chestnut and Beech are identical specifically with the 
European trees, but show varietal differences, the former being 
a more precocious tree, often bearing fruit when but ten or 
twelve feet in height. Professor Sargent suggests this tree for 
introduction into the northern United States. 
Japan is richer than eastern North America in conifers, 
and they “are more planted for shade and ornament than 
they are in America, or, perhaps, in any other country.” The 
great number of Japanese conifers prevents more than a mere 
mention in this paper of the most important species. Chamæ- 
cyparis obtusa and Cryptomeria japonica are largely planted as 
timber trees, the former also being one of the sacred trees 
planted about the temples. Cephalotaxus drupacea and Ginkgo 
biloba are common, although it is now agreed that the latter is 
not a native of Japan, where, however, it grows to a great 
height (100 feet) in. the groves about the Buddhist temples. 
Tumion (Torreya) nuciferum is the “largest and most beautiful 
representative” of a curious genus. The Umbrella Pine— 
Sciadopitys verticillata—well-known to us as a small tree in 
cultivation, is, in its native region, a tall pyramidal tree a 
hundred feet or so in height. But two pines, Pinus densiflora 
and Pinus thunbergii are valuable timber trees. There are also 
important species of Picea, Tsuga, Abies and’ Larix, some of 
which have long been in cultivation in America and Europe. 
In closing his interesting account of the Japanese forests, 
Professor Sargent remarks upon their lack of economic or 
scientific management, and the imperative need of adopting 
an intelligent system of reforesting and cultivation. It ap- 
