XL. 1. THE SMALL MAGNOLIA. 527 
Massachusetts; but several others, and those among the most 
beautiful, may be cultivated. 
The Cucumber Tree, Magnolia acuminata, is found, accord- 
ing to Dr. Torrey, in New York, and may, probably, hereafter 
be found, scattered in favorable situations, in the western part 
of the State. It grows perfectly well at the Botanic Garden, at 
Cambridge. Michaux saysit is one of the most magnificent trees 
in North America. Its large flowers, five or six inches across, 
are very conspicuous, among its ample foliage, as is its cylindrical 
fruit, three or four inches long, with the scarlet seeds depending 
from it. But its branches are long and bare, except at the end, 
and it wants much of equalling in grace, fulness and beauty, the 
greater part of our forest trees. 
A much more beautiful tree, as it grows here, for shape, foli- 
age and flowers, is the Long-leaved Cucumber Tree, MW. auric- 
wlata. It grows readily, but attains not a great height. 
The Three-petalled, the Heart-leaved, the Yulan and the 
Purple may also be cultivated. They are propagated by seed, 
by layers or by inarching, and, while young, are best preserved 
in pots. 
Tue Swart Macnous. Swamp Laurer. M. glauca. L. 
Figured in Michaux, Sylva, II, Plate 52; in Bigelow’s Medical Botany, II, 
Plate 27; and in Catesby’s Birds, Plate 39. 
A sheltered swamp near Cape Ann, not far from the sea, is 
thought to be the most northern habitation of this plant, and 
until lately was supposed to be the only one in Massachusetts. It 
has recently been found at the distance of some mules, in another 
swamp, in the midst of deep woods in Essex. From these situa- 
tions it will soon be completely extirpated. The fragrant flowers 
and even the leaves are in such request, that early in the flower- 
ing season, numbers of persons resort to the swamps in quest of 
them, and great quantities are annually carried to Salem and 
Boston for sale. The gatherers of the flowers are regardless of 
the preservation of the trees, and in a single season I have noticed 
scores of them broken down and almost entirely destroyed. 
Few ornamental plants are better worth the attention of the 
gardener. Carefully trained, it forms a beautiful little tree. The 
