14 
UMBRELLA TREE. 
river Nolachuky, in East Tennessee, may be particularly mentioned as 
abounding in the Umbrella Tree. Though this tree growé naturally over 
a great extent of country, it is not met with at every step in the woods like 
the Witch Hazel, the Dog Wood, and certain species of Oak: -it appears 
only in situations perfectly adapted to its growth, which are always shady, 
and where the soil is deep, strong and fertile. Thus, in the lower parts of 
South Carolina and of Georgia, it is found only near the great swamps 
which lie along the rivers, or which are enclosed in the 'pine-barrens. 
Here, it is almost invariably accompanied by the Big Laurel, Swamp Ches- 
nut Oak and Sweet Leaves, and never by the Small Magnolia, Red Bay 
and Loblolly Bay, which grow in the small swamps that intersect the bar- 
rens, and of which the soil is shallow, black, and often miry. 
The Umbrella Tree, like the following species of this genus, is remark- 
able for theRargeness of its leaves and of its flowers. The dimensions of I 
the tree are such as to form a connecting link between the larger shrubs 
and trees of the third order ; for though it sometimes rises to the height of 
30 or 35 feet, with a diameter of 5 or 6 inches, it rarely attains this size. 
Its leaves, which are thin, oval, entire and acuminate at both extremities, . 
are 18 or 20 inches long, and 7 or 8 inches broad ; they are often [disposed 
in rays at the extremity of vigorous shoots, and thus display a surface of 
30 inches in diameter ; whence is derived the name of Umbrella Tree. I 
have almost uniformly remarked that the trunk grows in an inclined direc- 
tion ; the young and feeble stock being laden, before it is as large as the 
little finger, with ample foliage, is bent by the winds, even when growing 
in sheltered situations. 
The flowers are 7 or 8 inches in diameter, white, composed of several 
oblong, concave petals, and situated at the extremity of the branches ; they 
are beautiful, though less regularly shaped and of a less agreeable odor 
than those of the other species of Magnolia. 
The conical fruit is 4 or 5 inches long, and about 2 inches in diameter ; 
it ripens in the beginning of October, and is of a beautiful rose color, with 
seeds of a pale red. Well grown and perfectly formed cones contain 50 
or 60 seeds, which, as they speedily become rancid, should be sown im- 
mediately after they are gathered. A great number of young plants may 
in this way be easily obtained. By keeping the seeds in moss constantly 
moist, they may be preserved for several months. 
The wood of the Umbrella Tree is soft, porous, and unfit for use. The 
bark upon the trunk is gray, smooth and polished : if cut while green, it 
exhales a disagreeable odor. 
This Magnolia, which resists an extreme degree of cold, has long been 
cultivated in pleasure grounds in France and England. It is remarkable 
among all the indigenous trees of Europe, for the size and form of its leaves 
and flowers. For many years it has yielded prolific seeds in this quarter 
