174 



PINACEiE. 



leaves, whicli, -u'lieii young, are golden-edged and tipped ; having a 

 green centre-band, increasing in breadth as it reaches the base ; when 

 old and thoroughly matured the leaves change their colour to a sombre 

 green ; while in middle age, they are freckled or mottled with bright- 

 green and golden shades ; rendering its spray a pretty conglomerate 

 mass of yellow and green tints. In a shady situation, and a pure but 

 humid atmosphere, it will form a cylindrical, bizarre-like pillar ; and 

 add much to the variety of form and colour, and enhance the pleasures 

 we derive from a select collection of ornamental trees and shrubs. 



TaxUS CuspiDATA: The Abrupt-Pointed-Leafed Yew. 



This is merely an altered form of the prototype : its name explains 

 its difference ; it has been sent us from China, or Japan ; where the 

 Orientals cultivated it under the name of Araragi," and, like its con- 

 geners is quite hardy enough for the climate of Britain. 



TaXUS LiNDLEYANA : Dr. Lindley's Yew. 



This form of the Yew is from California ; where it attains, as a 

 matter of course, larger dimensions than the prototope does in Europe ; 

 but when both are grown together in the same soil, situation, and 

 altitude, they would be found to be as like as two peas. 



TaXUS MexiGANA: The Mexican Yew. 



Another somewhat altered form of our own familiar Yew : and all 

 that I have stated regarding the Calif ornian Yew is equally appHcable 

 to the Mexican Yew ; with this difference, that, as a matter of course, 

 the Mexican is a more tender and delicate plant. 



TaXUS WallIGHIANA : Dr. Wallich's Yew. 



This is the Indian form of Taxus Vera ; the ^Sung-cha,' or 

 Yew-tree, and ' Pung-cha,' or Tea-tree of the Himalayas and Bhootan. 

 In the high lying valleys of Xapal, Sikkim, and Thibet, it growls to a 

 larger size than the prototype does in Europe : although tolerably 

 hardy, it is somewhat delicate in constitution for the climate of Great 

 Britain and Ireland. 



And now, having completed my task ; — having, I trust, submitted 

 to my patrons, friends, and fellow arboriculturists, and all planters and 

 admirers of trees and shrubs, some not unimportant information, — the 

 results of years of practical experience, observation, and note-taking, 

 in this particular department of Natural History; — I should not be a 

 true and right-minded son of philosophy if I did not, in conclusion, 

 at the least, just remind myself, if not my reader, that the highest, the 



