Spec. Char., &c. Prickles strong, branchy, numerous. Leaflets lanceolate, somewhat rigid, notched, dentated. Pods elongated. (Desf. Arb., ii. p. 246.) A deciduous tree with a prickly trunk; the prickles axillary, large; and the leaflets also large. It is said by Baudrillart to be a native of China (Dict. des Eaux et des Forêts, vol. ii. p. 150.); but when it was introduced is uncertain. The leaves are twice winged; the leaflets coriaceous, dark green, and shining on the upper surface. The young shoots are covered with extremely short hairs, and are of a purplish brown colour. On the whole, it bears a close resemblance to G. sinensis, of which it is, probably, only a variety. It is very hardy; and Desfontaines says that it fruits freely in France. The fruit ripens in the autumn; and the pods are long, pendulous, swelled, and rather cylindrical. They are filled with a sharp acrid pulp, somewhat resembling that of tamarinds, but the emanations from which, when inhaled, occasion sneezing. Statistics. The largest tree in the neighbourhood of London is that at Syon, figured in our Second Volume; it is 57 ft. high, diameter of the trunk 3 ft., and of the head 69 ft. In Essex, at Audley End, is a tree, 60 years planted, which is 30 ft. high; and in Hertfordshire, at Cheshunt, one 7 years planted is 18 ft. high. In Ireland, at Terenure, is a tree 15 years planted, and 12 ft high. Plants, in the London nurseries, are 3s. 6d. each; and at New York, 1 dollar. 6. G. (s.) FEROX Desf. The ferocious-prickled Gleditschia. Identification. Desf. Arb., 2. p. 247. Don's Mill., 2. p. 428. Spec. Char., &c. Prickles large, robust, much compressed, trifid. Leaflets lanceolate, notched. (Desf. Arb., ü. p. 247.) A tree, the trunk of which is thickly beset with strong branchy prickles, and which is supposed to grow from 30 ft. to 50 ft. in height; but of which the native country, and year of introduction into Britain, are unknown. Judging from the plants in the Horticultural Society's Garden, and those in the arboretum of Messrs. Loddiges, we should say it was only a variety of G. sinensis; though Desfontaines states the foliage and habit of growth to be somewhat different. It has not yet flowered in Europe. Plants, in the London nurseries, cost 2s. 6d. each. 7. G. Ca'Spica Desf. The Caspian Gleditschia. Identification. Desf. Arb., 2. p. 247.; Don's Mill., 2. p. 428. Synonyme. G. caspiàna Bosc. Spec. Char., &c. Prickles slender, trifid, compressed. Leaflets elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse. (Desf. Arb.,ii. p. 247.) A native of Persia, and found also near the Caspian Sea. Nothing is known of its flowers and fruit; but it strongly resembles G. sinensis (of which it is, probably, only a variety) in its leaves, general appearance, and habit. It was introduced into England in 1822; and there are plants of it in Loddiges's arboretum between 20 ft. and 30 ft. high. It is propagated by grafting on the common species; and plants, in the London nurseries, are from 1s. 6d. to 2s. 6d. each. Variety. Ť G. c. 2 subviréscens Hort., Févier verdâtre, Fr., is mentioned in the App. i. Other Sorts of Gleditschia. Every modification of the species of this genus is so interesting, both in point of the elegance of its foliage, and the singularity of its prickles, that new varieties have been eagerly sought after by cultivators; and the genus seems particularly favourable to this desire, from the tendency of seedling plants to sport. Hence there are several names in collections, of which it is difficult to say anything satisfactory in the present young and immature state of the plants. In the Horticultural Society's Garden are G. micracántha, G. Bòqui, and G. præ cox; and in Messrs. Loddiges's arboretum are plants marked G. aquática, which are evidently the same as G. monosperma, G. orientális, evidently G. fèrox, G. chinensis (already mentioned); and some young plants without names. Though, from a careful examination of all the trees of this genus in the neighbourhood of London, last summer, we are of opinion that there cannot be more than two distinct species in British nur series, yet we strongly approve of keeping all the varieties distinct; because, in point of ornament and effect in scenery, they are altogether as valuable as species. What two species, for example, can be more distinct than G. triacánthos and G. t. inérmis, both in their winter and in their summer state, as may be seen by the plates in our Second Volume? G. indica Pers. is a Bengal species, not yet introduced, and probably tender. Y Y GENUS XXI. GYMNO CLADUS Lam. THE GYMNOCLADUS. Lin. Syst. Diœ'cia Decandria. Identification. Lam. Dict., 1. p. 733.; Ill., t. 823.; Dec. Prod., 2. p. 479. Derivation. From gumnos, naked, and klados, a branch; from the naked appearance of the branches during winter, when they seem, unless perhaps at the points of the shoots, totally devoid of buds. Description. There is only one species, a deciduous tree, with upright branches, and inconspicuous buds. 1. G. CANADE'NSIS Lam. Synonymes. The Canada Gymnocladus, or Kentucky Coffee Tree. Identification Lam. Dict., 1. p. 733., and Ill., t. 823.; Michx. Fl. Bor. Amer., 2. p. 241.; Dec. Prod., 2. p. 480.; Don's Mill., 2. p. 429. Guilandina dioica Lin. Sp., 546.; Hyperanthèra dioica Vahl Symb., 1. p. 31., Duh. Arb., 1. t. 103.; Nicker Tree, Stump Tree, United States; Bonduc, Chiquier, Fr.; Chicot, Canadian; Canadischer Schusserbaum, Ger. Engravings. Reich. Mag., t. 40., Duh. Arb., t. 103.; and our plates of this tree in Vol. II. Spec. Char., &c. A deciduous tree, with branches blunt at the tip, bipinnate leaves, flowers in racemes, and whitish petals. The leaf has 4-7 pinnæ ; the lower of which consist each of but a single leaflet, the rest each of 6-8 pairs of leaflets. (Dec. Prod., ii. p. 480.) A native of Canada, introduced in 1748; growing, in England, to the height of 30 ft. or 40 ft.; and flowering in August. Description. In its native country, this tree grows to the height of 50 ft. or 60 ft., with a trunk from 12 in. to 15 in. in diameter. The branches have almost always an upright direction; and the appearance of the head, in the winter season, is remarkable, from being fastigiate, and from the points of the branches being few, and thick and blunt, as compared with those of almost every other tree. They are also wholly without the appearance of buds; and this latter circumstance, connected with the former, gives the tree, during winter, the appearance of being dead; and hence the Canadian name of chicot, or stump tree. The bark of the trunk is extremely rough, and detaches itself, after a certain age, in small, hard, transverse slips, rolled backwards at the end, and projecting sufficiently to distinguish the tree from every other, even at a distance. When the tree is clothed with leaves, the head forms a dense mass, roundish or oval. The leaves, on young thriving trees, are 3 ft. long, and 20 in. wide; but, on trees nearly full grown, they are not half that size. The leaflets are of a dull bluish green, and the branches of the petioles are somewhat of a violet colour. The flowers are white, in spikes of 2 in. or more in length: they appear from May to July, and are succeeded by large cimetershaped pods, 5 in. or more in length, and about 2 in. or more in breadth. The roots of the tree are few, thick, and directed downwards, as the branches are upwards, rather than horizontally. Geography. The gymnocladus grows in Upper Canada, beyond Montreal, and on the borders of Lakes Ontario and Erie; but it is only sparingly found in these places, which are its northern limits. It is abundant in Kentucky and Tennessee, in the tracts which border the Ohio and Illinois rivers, between lat. 35° and 40° N. It is there found along with Juglans nigra, Ulmus rubra, Liriodendron Tulipífera, Fraxinus quadrangulata, Gleditschia triacánthos, and more especially with Céltis occidentalis. It is never found but on the very richest soils. History. This tree was introduced into England in 1748, and was cultivated by Archibald Duke of Argyll, at Whitton, where it is believed the original tree still exists. Being very hardy, and remarkable for the beauty of its foliage during summer, it has found its way into most collections in England, and is also cultivated in France and the south of Germany, Properties and Uses. The wood is very hard and compact; it is also strong and tough, and of a fine rose colour. In America, it is used both in cabinet-making and carpentry, and, like the wood of the robinia, it has the remarkable property of rapidly converting its sap-wood into heart-wood; so that a trunk 6 in. in diameter has not more than six lines of sap-wood, and may, consequently, be almost entirely employed for useful purposes. The seeds were, at one time, roasted and ground as a substitute for coffee in Kentucky and Tennessee; but their use in this way has been long since discontinued. The pods, preserved like those of the tamarind (to which this genus is nearly allied), are said to be wholesome, and slightly aperient. The live bark is extremely bitter; so that a morsel, no bigger than a grain of maize, chewed for some time, causes a violent irritation in the throat. In Britain, the only use of the tree is for ornamental purposes; and, considered as an object of curiosity and beauty, no collection ought to be without it. Soil, Situation, Propagation, &c. A rich, deep, free soil is essential to the thriving of this tree; and such a soil is never met with naturally in exposed situations. The tree is generally propagated by imported seeds; but it will grow freely from cuttings of the roots, care being taken in planting to keep that end upwards which is naturally so. Statistics. Gymnócladus canadensis in England. In the environs of London, at Whitton, 87 years planted, and 60 ft. high; at Syon, 54 ft. high, diameter of the trunk 18 in. and of the head 39 ft. (see our plate of this tree in Vol. II); in the Mile End Nursery, 35 ft.; at Kenwood, 25 years planted, and 20 ft high.-South of London. In Kent, at Cobham Hall, 25 years planted, and 20 ft. high. In Surrey, at St. Anne's Hill, 30 years planted, and 45 ft. high; at Claremont, 45 ft. high, the diameter of the trunk 18 in., and of the head 35 ft.; at Walton, 42 years planted, and 50 ft. high, diameter of the trunk 18 in., and of the head 33 ft.; at Farnham Castle, 45 years planted, and 25 ft. high, the diameter of the trunk 12 in., in poor soil on chalk.-North of London. In Cheshire, at Kinmel Park, 5 years planted, and 5 ft. high. In Hertfordshire, at Cheshunt, 7 years planted, and 12 ft. high. In Oxfordshire, in the Oxford Botanic Garden, 40 years planted, and 35 ft. high, the diameter of the trunk 1 ft. 2in., and of the head 15 ft. In Worcestershire, at Croome, 40 years planted, and 60 ft. high, diameter of the trunk 18 in., and of the head 30 ft. Gymnocladus canadensis in Scotland. In the Edinburgh Botanic Garden, 15 ft. high; in Lawson's Nursery, 10 years planted, and 6 ft. high; in the Glasgow Botanic Garden, 12 years planted, and 13 ft. high; in the Perth Nursery, 12 ft. high. Gymnocladus canadensis in Ireland. In the Glasnevin Botanic Garden, 25 years planted, and 24 ft. high, diameter of the trunk 6 in., and of the head 7 ft.; at Terenure, 20 years planted, and 15 ft. high; in the Cullenswood Nursery, 10 years planted, and 15 ft. high. Gymnocladus canadensis in Foreign Countries. In France, at Paris, in the Jardin des Plantes, 60 years planted, and 55 ft. high, the diameter of the trunk 20 in., and of the head 40 ft.; at Scéaux, 18 years planted, and 30 ft high; in the Botanic Garden at Toulon, 20 years planted, and 25 ft. high; in the Botanic Garden at Metz, 32 years planted, and 40 ft. high; at Colombier, near Metz, 60 years planted, and 65 ft. high. In Austria, at Vienna, 13 years planted, and 30 ft. high. In Prussia, at Berlin, at Sans Souci, 30 years planted, and 30 ft. high; in the Pfauen Insel, 8 years planted, and 22 ft. high. In Hanover, in the Botanic Garden at Göttingen, 25 years planted, and 30 ft. high. In Italy, at Monza, 29 years planted, and 40 ft. high. Commercial Statistics. Plants in the London nurseries are 2s. 6d. each; at Bollwyller, I franc and 50 cents; and at New York, 50 cents. GENUS XXII. CE'RCIS L. THE JUDAS TREE. Lin. Syst. Decándria Monogýnia. Identification. Lin. Gen., No. 510.; Lam. Ill., t. 328.; Gært. Fruct., t. 144.; Dec. Prod., 2. p. 518.; Don's Mill., 2. p. 463. Synonymes. Siliquástrum Tourn. Inst., t. 414.; Manch Meth.; Gainier Fr.; Judasbaum, Ger. Derivation. From kerkis, a shuttlecock, the name given by Theophrastus to this tree. Description, &c. Leaves simple, heart-shaped at the base, many-nerved, entire, protruded after the flowers; these borne in groups, each on a pedicel proceeding directly from the trunk or branches. (Dec. Prod., ii. p. 518.) Deciduous trees of the third rank, or shrubs, natives of Europe, or North America. 1. C. SILIQUA'STRUM L. The common Judas Tree. Identification. Lin. Sp., 534.; Dec. Prod., 2. p. 518.; Don's Mill., 2. p. 463. Synonymes. Siliquastrum orbiculatum Manch Meth.; Love Tree; Gainier commun, Arbre de Judée, Fr.; Arbol d' Amor, Span.; Judasbaum, Ger. Engravings. N. Du Ham., t. 7.; Bot. Mag., t. 1138.; Mill. Icon., 253.; and the plates of this species in Vol. II. Spec. Char., &c. Leaves very obtuse, and wholly glabrous. A native of the south of Europe, in sunny places, and on the banks of rivers. Flowers of a deep rose colour; in a variation, white. (Dec. Prod., ii. p. 518.) A deciduous tree, a native of the south of Europe, introduced in 1596. Height from 20 ft. to 30 ft. Varieties. C. S. 2 parviflòrum Dec.-A shrub; its branches spotted with white; its flowers smaller by half than those of the species. A native of Bokhara. (Dec. Prod., ii. p. 518.) * C. S. 3 flore albido.-Flowers whitish. There is a plant of this in the London Horticultural Society's Garden. ↑ C. S. 4 ròsea.—A seedling, raised from foreign seeds, which has flowered in the Botanic Garden at Kew; has numerous flowers, which are brighter, and a shade darker, than those of the species; and they also appear about a fortnight later; but it is, perhaps, hardly worth noticing as a variety. Description, &c. The common Judas tree, in the south of Europe, forms a handsome low tree, with a flat spreading head, in the form of a parasol; and it is a singularly beautiful object in spring, especially when it is covered with its numerous bright purplish pink flowers, which appear before the leaves, in May, and are produced not only from the young wood, but from wood of 6 or 8 years' growth, and even from the trunk. The leaves are round and heart-shaped, and are not liable to be attacked by insects. The flowers are succeeded by flat, thin, brown pods, nearly 6 inches in length, which remain on the tree all the year, and give it a very singular appearance in the winter season. In moist seasons, the tree often flowers a second time in the autumn. In the neighbourhood of London, the tree generally flowers freely; but the pods are not produced in abundance, unless the tree is planted against a wall; and only sparingly, and in the finest seasons, on standard trees. The rate of growth is about 18 in, a year, for the first ten years. Geography and History. The Judas tree is found in a wild state in the south of France, in Spain, in Italy, about Rome; in Greece, in Japan, in Asiatic Turkey, and more especially in Judea. It was cultivated by Gerard in 1596, who has given a good figure of it, and says, "The Frenchmen call it guainier, as though they should say, vaginula, or a little sheath: most of the Spaniards name it algorovo loco; that is, Siliqua sylvestris fatui (wild or foolish pod); others, arbol d' amor, for the braveness' sake. It may be called, in English, Judas tree; for it is thought to be that on which Judas hanged himself, and not upon the elder tree, as it is vulgarly said." (Johns. Ger., 1428.) From the tree being easily propagated by seeds, which are received in abundance from the Continent, it has become very general in English gardens; in the neighbourhood of London as a standard, and, to the north, planted against a wall. The French plant it against walls, and also cover arbours with it; and, formerly, it used to be clipped into balls, and other geometrical figures, in British gardens. Properties and Uses. The wood is very hard, and agreeably veined, or rather blotched or waved, with black, green, and yellow spots, on a grey ground. It takes a beautiful polish, and weighs nearly 48 lb. to the cubic foot. The flowers, which have an agreeable acid taste, are mixed with salads, or fried with batter, as fritters; and the flower buds are pickled in vinegar. In British gardens, the tree is planted as one of ornament; and, as it grows about the same height, and flowers about the same time, as the laburnum, the Guelder rose, and the hawthorn, it enters into beautiful combination with these and other trees. The foliage is hardly less beautiful and remarkable than the flowers; the leaves being of a pale bluish green on the upper surface, and of a sea-green underneath, and of a cordate uniform shape, apparently consisting of two leaflets joined together; which circumstance, combined with others, brings the genus in close alliance with that of Bauhínia. Soil, Situation, &c. Like most of the Leguminàceæ, this tree prefers a deep, free, sandy soil, rich rather than poor; and it will only thrive, and become a handsome tree, in sheltered situations. In the northern parts of the island, it requires to be planted against a wall; and few ornamental trees better deserve such a situation. The species is propagated by seeds, and the varieties by grafting. The seeds are sown on heat early in spring, and come up the same season; and the plants will produce flowers in three or four years. Statistics. Cercis Siliquástrum in the Environs of London. At Syon, 20 ft. high, the diameter of the trunk 14in., and of the head 39 ft.; at Fulham Palace, 90 years planted, and 25 ft. high, the di ameter of the trunk 17 in., and of the head 25 ft.; at Purser's Cross, in the Mile End Nursery, and In the grounds of an adjoining villa, from 20 ft. to 30 ft. high; at Kenwood, 38 years planted, and 18 ft. high; in the Brompton Nursery, a handsome tree, 21 ft. high; in the arboretum at Kew, 25 ft. high. Cércis Siliquástrum South of London. In Hampshire, at Leigh Park, 7 years planted, and 10 ft. high. In Wiltshire, at Longford Castle, 30 ft. high, the diameter of the trunk 12 in. and of the head 20 ft. Cercis Siliquástrum North of London. In Bedfordshire, at Ampthill, 20 years planted, and 15 ft. high. In Berkshire, at White Knights, 25 years planted, and 20 ft. high. In Oxfordshire, in the Botanic Garden at Oxford, 16 years planted, and 18 ft. high. In Suffolk, at Ampton Hall, 10 years planted, and 12 ft. high. In Warwickshire, at Whitley Abbey, 18 years planted, and 13 ft. high. In Worcestershire, at Croome, 40 years planted, and 30 ft. high, diameter of the trunk 18 in., and of the head 18 ft. Cercis Siliquástrum in Scotland. The tree is generally planted against a wall, and will cover about the same space as a peach tree in 10 or 12 years. There is a fine specimen in the Edinburgh Botanic Garden. In Berwickshire, at the Hirsel, a standard tree, 7 years planted, is 6 ft. high. In Aberdeenshire, at Thainston, the tree makes shoots upwards of 2 ft. long every year; but they are generally killed back to the stump every winter; at Gordon Castle, 8 years planted, it is 9 ft. high against a wall. Cercis Siliquástrum in Ireland. At Dublin, in the Glasnevin Botanic Garden, 25 years planted, it is 14ft. high; at Terenure, 10 years planted, it is 10 ft. high; at Cullenswood Nursery, 30 years planted, it is 30 ft. high. At Castleton, it is 15 ft. high. In Connaught, at Coole, 10 ft. high. In Sligo, at Makree Castle, it is 12 ft. high, against a wall, the branches extending over a space 45 ft. in width. Cércis Siliquástrum in Foreign Countries. In France, at Paris, in the Jardin des Plantes, 60 years planted, it is 40 ft. high, the diameter of the trunk is 29 in., and of the head 45 ft; at Sceaux, 20 years planted, it is 40 ft. high; in the Botanic Garden at Toulon, 50 years planted, it is 35 ft. high; at Nantes, in the nursery of M. De Nerrières, 50 years planted, it is 30 ft. high. In Saxony, at Wörlitz, 25 years planted, and 10 ft. high; the tree requiring protection during winter. In Austria, at Vienna, in the University Botanic Garden, 9 years planted, and 16 ft. high. In Prussia, at Berlin, in the Pfauen Insel, 9 years planted, and 6 ft. high. In Hanover, in the Botanic Garden at Göttingen, 20 years planted, and 12 ft. high. In Italy, at Monza, 40 years planted, and 26 ft. high, Commercial Statistics. Price of plants, in London, from 1s. 6d. to 2s. 6d. each; and seeds 1s. 6d. an ounce: at Bollwyller, 1 franc, and the whiteflowered variety 2 francs: at New York, the species is 371⁄2 cents. 2. C. CANADENSIS L. The Canada Judas Tree. Identification. Lin. Sp., 534; Dec. Prod., 2. p. 518.; Don's Mill., 2. p. 463. Synonymes. Siliquástrum cordàtum Mænch Meth.; red Bird Tree, Amer.; Gainier de Canada, Bouton rouge, Fr. Engraving. Mill. Icon., t. 2.; and our plate in Vol. II. Spec. Char., &c. Leaves acuminate, villose beneath at the axils of the veins As compared with C. Siliquástrum, its flowers are of a paler rose colour the legume is on a longer pedicel, and tipped with a longer style. A native of North America, on the margins of rivers, from Canada to Virginia. (Dec. Prod., ii. p. 518.) Varieties. * C. c. 2 pubescens Ph.-Leaves pubescent on the under surface. (Dec.) C. c. 3, Foreman's new variety, is mentioned in Prince's Catalogue, published in New York, in 1829. Description, &c. This tree bears a general resemblance to the preceding species; but it is more slender and smaller in all its parts; and it seldom rises higher than 20 ft. It is at once distinguished from C. Siliquástrum by its leaves being heart-shaped and pointed; they are also much thinner, more veined, and of a lighter green; and the flowers are generally produced in smaller numbers than in the other species. It is a native of North America, from Canada to Virginia, along the banks of rivers; and the flowers are there used by the French Canadians in salads and pickles, and the young branches to dye wool of a nankeen colour. The wood resembles that of the other species. The tree was introduced into England in 1730; but it has never been much cultivated; though, in France and Germany, it is considered to be |