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GOPHER WOOD OF THE ANCIENTS. 
expand, and the plant becomes completely covered with its lilac blossoms. The 
cultivation is easy. A loamy and well-drained soil, full exposure to the sun whilst 
forming and ripening its wood in summer, and rest during the winter when the 
branches are naked, are the requisites. It will very likely prove a good forcer. 
Paulownia imperialis, Imperial Paulownia. — This is a native of Japan, and 
one of the finest of Dr. Siebold's introductions from that country. It grows to a 
tree, thirty or forty feet high, producing its flowers in terminal panicles after the 
manner of those of Catalpa syringifolia. Unless planted in a well-drained and 
exposed situation the shoots are liable to become too succulent, and are then injured 
by the slightest frost ; but if grown hardily, it endures our winters very well. For a 
figure and description of this fine plant, refer to " Mag. Bot." x., t. 7. 
Rhododendron campanulatum, Bell- flowered Rose Bay. — A more superb species 
of Rhododendron than this makes when planted in the borders, can scarcely be con- 
ceived. It attains the height of five or six feet, and may be planted in almost any 
situation, provided the soil be light and well drained. Propagation is effected by 
layers, and grafting on the stocks of R. ponticum, or any other hardy kind. 
GOPHER WOOD OF THE ANCIENTS. 
Whatever timber is meant by the term Gopher Wood is uncertain ; the only 
notice we have of it under this name, is in the Sacred writings, and it is mentioned 
in connexion with the buildiug of the Ark, or large ship, which was to preserve a 
remnant of animate nature from the devastating deluge. There is little doubt but 
the wood was well known to the ancients, if not the trees which produced it, and it 
is not at all improbable but it was one of a tough and very durable texture, such as 
would be likely to combat successfully with the boisterous waves, and mighty rush of 
waters, over the surface of which it was destined to bear its important burden. And 
as the name does not occur, as far as is known, in any other of the writings of the 
ancients, it is most likely it had another and perhaps a more common name by 
which it was generally known in the ages after that sad calamity. 
One supposition respecting the tree is, that it is the plant known at present to 
us under the name of Henna or Henne, the Laivsonia alba of botanists, which plant 
is found over Egypt, Persia, India, and even in America, in all which places it is 
highly esteemed, and in Egypt and contiguous countries is much cultivated. 
It forms a large shrub which, whilst young, is perfectly smooth ; but when it 
becomes older, many of the branches become stunted, and form spines. The leaves 
are entire, opposite and lanceolate. The flowers are white, and disposed in panicles. 
The calyx is four-parted, spreading, and permanent. The petals are four, obovate, 
clawed and spreading. The stamens eight, approximating by pairs, which alternate 
with the petals. Ovarium, sessile. The Laivsonia inermis, and the L. spinosa of 
