THE PINETUM 
189 
Spruces and 
Firs. 
present Pinetum was originated and planned by Sir Joseph Hooker. 
It was planted in 1871-72. 
A tour of the Pinetum may best be commenced near the head 
of the Lake on the south side. Its beginning is marked by a group 
of the Chilian Araucaria imbricata. It may here be 
noted that as nearly as possible all the conifers from 
the New World are planted on the right-hand side of 
the gravel path (going in the direction at present indicated), and 
the Old World representatives of the same genus are placed opposite 
to them. Next to the Araucarias come the hemlocks (Tsuga) of North 
America, whilst on the other side of the walk are those from Japan. 
Then come the firs (Abies), and following them the spruces (Picea). 
This brings us to the fine holly hedge surrounding a private nursery 
for trees. From the left-hand side of the gravel path, and near this 
hedge, a grass walk leads to King William’s Temple. At the opening 
to this walk is a collection of those curious allies of the conifers, the 
Ephedras. Beyond, each side of the grass walk is planted with junipers. 
From this point to the Isleworth Gate the space is entirely filled 
with pines, of which there is a very full collection, with some fine 
examples — such, for instance, as Pinus Laricio (Corsican 
pine), P. Laricio pallasiana, P. Bungeana (lace-bark 
pine), P. Coulteri, P. lambertiana, P. Pence, and P. 
flexilis, a group of which brings us to the Isleworth Gate. Re- 
tracing our steps for 150 yards or so, we leave on our left the path 
down which we first came, and take the one leading south-eastwards 
to the Lion Gate. By it we shall reach the southern section of the 
Pinetum. At the base of a declivity on the left is the Lily Pond. 
We are now in the neighbourhood of that section of conifers known 
as the Taxacese, which consists of the yews and their allies. Among 
them are many beautiful evergreens. The yews are present in many 
varieties — spreading, columnar, variegated, and pigmy. There are a 
Podocarpus from Australasia, another from Chile, the remarkable 
Torreyas and Cephalotaxus from California and Japan, etc. 
Leaving these, the next noteworthy tree is a fine “ umbrella ” 
pine ( Sciadopitys verticillata) from Japan, and next to 
it come the Cryptomerias, also from Japan. On the 
other side are the Californian Sequoias, or Wellingtonias 
— perhaps the greatest tree wonders of the world. The 
tree, Sequoia gigantea, does not succeed so well here 
Pines and 
Yews. 
Redwoods 
and 
Cypresses. 
mammoth 
