THE TECHNOLOGIST. [Aug. 1, 1865 
10 THE GENUS ARAUCARIA. 
the north of Rio, at an altitude of 1,000 feet above the sea-level. They 
are exposed to some of the most violent storms, accompanied by the 
fiercest of lightning, from the effects of which the trees suffer con- 
siderably — their beauty and symmetry being greatly lessened by the 
stripping off of their lower branches, or the shivering of the younger 
and more tender parts. The height of the tree itself adds greatly to 
the chances of injury, as it attains from 70 to 100 feet, having a very 
straight trunk, which is covered for the most part with a smooth bark, 
except near the summit, where the remains of old leaves still persist, as 
on the trunk of A. iinbricata. In its habit it is more loose and spread- 
ing than that species, but more nearly resembles it than any of the 
other species. From the date of its introduction in 1819 to 1822, A. 
Brasiliensis and A. iinbricata were considered as one species. In the 
latter year, however, M. Richard, who had paid some attention to the 
two plants, published a description of this species, separating it from A. 
imbricata, and giving the plant its existing name of A. Brasiliensis. He 
states in that account that the chief botanical difference is, that in this 
species the seed is entirely devoid of the winged appendage, which is a 
distinctive mark of A. imbricata. The disposition of the branches also 
was made a character for distinction, as well as the greater softness and 
whiteness of the wood. The branches are arranged in whorls round the 
stem, but much more numerous than the other South American species. 
The form of the leaves is linear-lanceolate, very sharp at the apex, from 
one to two inches long, not so thickly disposed upon the stem as in A. 
imbricata. 
The cones are more close and compact than those of that species ; 
they are of a dingy, yellow colour, about six inches long. The scales 
are of a soft, corky nature, thick, and wedged-shaped, very closely packed 
together, each having a long, recurved spine. In general appearance, 
this tree is much more spreading and loose than A. imbricata, and it 
makes a more rapid growth. It is not hardy enough to bear the frosts 
of our winters, but thrives well in a greenhouse. The nuts, or seeds, 
are commonly sold in the markets of Rio Janeiro, as an article of food. 
The resinous matter which exudes from the trunk, mixed with wax, is 
much used by the natives in the manufacture of candles. Two species 
similar to this have been described : the first by M. Savin, under the 
name of A. Uidolfiana — this has been proved by Professor Parlatore to be 
nothing more than a form of A. Brasiliensis. The second by Professor 
Parlatore, who has given it the name of A. Saviana, and considers it a 
very distinct species. This plant is growing in the Botanic Gardens of 
Pisa, where it was planted in the open air in 1846, and is now a flourishing 
tree. It may also be seen growing in the Botanic Gardens of Florence, 
and in both gardens it has borne cones. These, in their young state, 
strongly resembles A. Brasiliensis, with the exception that the spines of 
the scales are much longer, very uniformly recurved, and curling so far 
back as to completely cover the junction of the two scales. So dense 
