BACCIFEK^. 



159 



variously formed, some being linear, some needle or awl-shaped, while 

 not a few are scale-formed ; some are bright glossy green above a]id 

 glaucous below ; but the adult leaves generally assume a rusty-brown 

 colour ; the bark also is reddish or rusty-brown in colour : and, moreover, 

 its nut-like fruit is reddish, and more or less covered with a glaucous 

 rusty powder. The same tree is to be found on the more elevated 

 parts of the volcanic mountains of Java ; only slightly altered in the 

 size and colour of its leaves ; and is to be found in catalogues and 

 collections named Discolor, In either of its forms it is thoroughly 

 tender in this country. 



PODOCARPUS JaMAICAENSIS : The Jamaica Podocarpus. 



This is the " Yacca," of the native tribes of the West Indian Islands; 

 and a very sportive or changeable kind ; for it is to be found in the 

 most northern parts of JN'ew Zealand, and on the highest mountains 

 nearly to the limits of the perpetual snow line, reduced to a perfect 

 pygmy or gnarled bush, w^ith small, thick, yew-like leaves ; and in 

 this form it has been introduced to us and named Nivalis, (Snowy 

 Podocarpus.) On the Antilles,, and blue mountains of Jamaica, it 

 attains heights of fifty feet, with leaves from one to two inches long, 

 and half an inch broad ; thick, shining and leathery : and in this form 

 it has been introduced to us and named Coriacea, (leathery-leaved Podo- 

 carpus.) While on the eastern declivities of the Island of Jamaica 

 it attains heights of one hundred feet, with leaves from two to six inches 

 long, and from half an inch to an inch broad. In whatever form, 

 however, enlarged or reduced, it is much too tender for this climate. 



Podocarpus NereiFOLIA: The ]^erium-Leaved Podocarpus. 



This is the Goonsi," of India ; attaining heights of from thirty to 

 fifty feet ; with leaves from three to six inches long, and about half an 

 inch broad ; lanceolate, and acute-pointed, thick, fiat, and leathery ; 

 bright green above, and yellowish-green below ; having a prominent 

 mid-rib ; and not unlike the Oleander in foliage ; hence its name. Its 

 fruit, or rather the peduncles thereof, is sweet and edible ; and is used 

 as an article of food by the native tribes. It is a distinct kind, and 

 tolerably constant in its distinguishing characteristics ; but, like most 

 of the tribe, much too tender for our climate. 



Podocarpus Rigida: The Stiff-Leaved Podocarpus. 



This is found in Peru, attaining heights of from twenty-five to fifty feet, 

 with leaves from one to two inches long, and from one to two inches broad; 

 variously formed, linear, lanceolate, sickle-shaped, and yew-like, fiat, 

 smooth, and leathery ; some obtuse or rounded at the point, others 



