4 
MAGNOLIAS. 
perhaps be discovered in the Floridas and in the country west of the Mis- 
sissippi. 
Soil, situation, etc. — [ The Magnolia family proper, contains about 30 
species in several genera. 
Many magnificent species yet remain to be introduced into Europe and 
America, one of which, the Manglielia insignis discovered and figured by 
Wallich,in his splendid work Plantes rariories asiaticee, under the name of 
Magnolia insignis, grows in the mountains of Nepal from 6 to 12000 feet 
above the sea. He says, “ It is in blossom in April and May, at which 
period it is impossible to behold a more magnificent object. The flowers 
are produced in vast numbers ; they are very beautiful, large and fragrant, 
of a yellowish white color, with the apex of the petals pink, and the reflex- 
ed leaves of the calyx brownish red, and elegantly reticulated with pale 
green nerves and veins. The capsules are purple, and disposed in large 
erect oblong cones, from which the scarlet seeds hang down in all direc- 
tions, being suspended on delicate white threads. The leaves are dark green 
and leathery, and form a very umbrageous crown. The tree attains a vast 
size, its trunk frequently measuring 4 or 5 feet in diameter.” 
The Aromadendron elegans of Blume, grows in the forests of Java, from 
80 to 120 feet in height, with beautiful large leaves and flowers, having a 
penetrating agreeable aroma. Several others of the family, particularly of 
the genus Michelig., grow in the mountains of Java ; and are remarkable 
for the beauty and fragrance of their flowers. The Michelia champdca of 
India and the Molucca Islands, is a beautiful tree about 30 feet high, with 
large glossy green leaves, and yellow flowers which emit a delicious per- 
fume. It blooms the whole year, and is cultivated around the houses of the 
Hindoos and Malays, who make a sweet scented pomatum of its flowers 
with cocoa nut oil. Like our magnolias it is also much used as an anti- 
intermittent. Several fine species of the family arc also found in Brazil 
and the West Indies, one of which the Talauma Plumieri , attains a height 
of 60 or 80 feet with large coriaceous leaves, and wdiite flowers as .large as 
those of our Magnolia grandiflora. 
The wood of most species is solid and fine-grained. The hark and some- 
times the leaves are aromatic and bitter, and hence their use as stomachics, 
anti-intermittents, emmenagogues and carminatives. 
The forests of North America contain two genera of this tribe, distin- 
guished readily by the carpels, viz. : 
Magnolia Linn. Carpels dehiscent, or opening for the seed to escape. 
Liriodendron Linn. Carpels indéhiscent, or not opening to permit the 
escape of the seed. 
A deep sandy soil, and a situation sheltered from the north and east, 
suits most of the species, though some, as M. Glauca, for example, thrive 
naturally best in a moist peaty soil. 
Dal 
