292 



ij\t barter's (P:0nl|lg. 



FRUCTiPICATION ©F RARE COmTBRS. 



BY JOSIAH HOOPES. 



The generality of arboriculturists are probably 

 not aware of the value of a thorough acquaintance 

 with the inflorescence and fructification of our trees 

 and plants, as a means of determining their true 

 positions and names. Whilst noticing alone the 

 striking outward resemblance that so trequently 

 exists between many allied forms, the earnest lover 

 of nature too often ignores scientific rules as a vexa- 

 tion, and thus passes over the more important tests 

 that are so beautifully displayed in the organs of 

 reproduction, and from which the botanist is apt to 

 gain his most rcliab e information. This view of 

 the case has been so forcibly impressed upon me 

 during the present season whilst studying the char- 

 acters and relationship of our Conifers, that a desire 

 arose to record some of my observations for the 

 benefit of those who feel an interest in the dissemi- 

 nation of knowledge. True, we have the numerous 

 scientific works treating upon this subject, wherein 

 are recorded all the various descriptions that prove 

 useful in their way; but we must consider that there 

 is alwaj^s something to learn, and that these de- 

 scriptions have been compiled, in some instances, 

 from imperfect specimens, so that when we become 

 the possessors of information gained by actual ex- 

 perience, we must surely derive no small degree of 

 satisfaction therefrom. 



The Lihocedrm demrrens of Torrey, which has 

 so long been a "bone of contention " with foreign 

 writers and nurserymen, and which is at the present 

 time grown and sold for the Thvja gigantea of 

 Nuttall, has fruited abundantly this year for the 

 first time in cultivation, and proves to be distinct 

 beyond the shadow of a doubt. The formation and 

 arrangement of the leaves plainly pointed out the 

 error in past years, but we now have sure evidence 

 in the long, glossy, and beautifully formed cones. 

 Dr. Bigelow described these cones as being pendu- 

 lous, but Prof Torrey thought diiferently ; my ovvn 

 observation has been that the cones are erect or 

 sub-erect when young, but decidedly pendulous as 

 they approach maturity. These strobiles are ob- 

 long, inclining to ovate ; scales all uniform in length, 

 and terminating in a short, slightly recurved mucro. 

 At the base are two opposite, recurved, bract-like 

 appendages. Seeds quite large, with two broad, 

 unequal membranaceous wings. 



The next species in general interest is that so 



frequently known as the Thvjopsis horealis of 

 Fischer, but which should undoubtedly be called 

 Ciipressiis Nutkatensis of Lambert. A plant ten 

 years of age has fufnished sufficient fruit this sea- 

 son to enable me to speak decidedly in regard to its 

 correct classification. The cone is shaped very 

 similar to that of the C. Lawsomana of Murray, 

 with the exception mentioned by Dr. Newberry, of 

 the former having but four scales whilst the latter 

 has six. Gordon is incorrect when he states the 

 former has from six to eight scales. These scales 

 are galeate, generally smooth, occasionally some- 

 what striate, and surmounted in the centre by a 

 stout erect spine, and with mostly three seeds be- 

 neath each scale. In Siebold's genus Tlivjopsis the 

 cones are composed of from 8 to 10 scales, with five 

 seeds at the base of each. 



A very handsome and hardy Conifer sent out by 

 our Patent Office (?) a few years since, under the 

 name of Thvja Joponica^ is identical with the 

 Retimspora obtusa of Siebold. As this species has 

 proven hardy, and is certainly much to be admired 

 on account of the charming silvery glaucousness on 

 the under side of the foliage, I have been very de- 

 sirous of obtaining all the reliable information pos- 

 sible concerning its history. In the first place it is 

 as well to ascertain whether Siebold had sufficient 

 grounds to establish this genus, and in this many 

 of our best authorities doubt his character holding 

 good. EndHcher, in his " Synopsis Coniferarum," 

 acknowledges Spach's genus CJiamcEcyparis, and 

 divides it into two sub-genera, one of which is the 

 genus Retimspora of Siebold, containing the Japa- 

 nese species ; the other he calls Euchamcecyparis, 

 and contains the American species, with our White 

 Cedar ( C. tliyoides) as the type. Thus this genus 

 has been gradually lowered in its station, until 

 Lawson, in his magnificent new work entitled the 

 " Flnetiim Brittanicum^''^ gives it a yet lower grade 

 — in fact doubting very much whether its charac- 

 ters can stand at all. The author states that C. 

 Laivsoniana bears a great resemblance to the genus 

 Retimspora, as it possesses the resinous blotches 

 under the skin of the seeds, which is one of the 

 main distinctive features of the latter, and from 

 which it derives its name. Another pecuharity 

 claimed for the Retinispora, is that of having but 

 two seeds under each scale ; but in this, too, dis- 

 crepancies have been noticed, for specimens of R, 

 obtusa and R. pisifera have been observed with 

 more than two seeds. As American botanists are 

 not willing to accept Spach's genus Chamceq/paris, 

 we shall undoubtedly have to fall back on the Cil- 

 pressits family and consider them as Cypresses. 



