1310

arboretum and fruticetum.

part in,

If exposed to the sun, the leaves turn back with a kind of twist; and, insteadof their natural pure deep green, they assume a brownish tinge. The ber-ries are oval, green at first, but black when ripe; and they are a favouritefood of singing birds : though, as De Candolle observes in the Flore Fran-paise, they are poisonous to all other animals. The spurge laurel is propa-gated by seeds, like the mezereon ; but, as they will remain two years in theground before they vegetate, they are generally treated like haws, and keptfor some time in the rotting-heap. It may also be propagated by cuttings;but not readily. It is much used in nurseries, as a stock on which to graftthe more tender species of the genus; but as, like all the other daphnes, ithas few roots, it requires to be transplanted with care.

* 5. D. po'ntica L. The Pontic Daphne, or Uvin-flowered Spurge Laurel.

Identification. Lin. Sp. PI,, 511.; Pall. FI. Ross., 1, p. 54.; Willd. Sp. PL, 2. p. 419. ; Lodd. Cat,,ed. 1836. A „

Synonymes. Thymelas'a p6ntica, citrei foliis, Town. Itin., 3. p. 180. t. 180.; Laureole du Levant,

' Fr. ; Pontischer Siedelbast, Ger.

Engravings. Tourn. Itin., 3. t. 180,; Bot. Mag., t. 1282.; and out fig. 1184.

Spec. Char., §c. Evergreen. Leaves obovate-lanceolate, glabrous. Flowersbractless, glabrous, in many-flowered upright clusters, each of the longpartial stalks of which bears two flowers. Lobes of the calyx lanceolate,long. ( Spreng.) A native of Asia Minor , where it forms a shrub, growingto the height of 4 ft. or 5 ft., and producing its greenish yellow flowers inApril and May. It was introduced in 1759, and is frequent in collections.

Varieties.

m D. p. 2 rubra. Hort. has red flowers, and is supposed to be a hybrid. Itis rather more tender than the species.

« D. p. 3 foliis variegatis Lodd. Cat. , 1836, has variegated leaves.Description, fyc. The whole plant, in generalappearance, strongly resembles the commonspurge laurel; but the leaves are more oval, andshorter; and the flowers, which are disposed intwos instead of fives, are yellower, and of asweeter scent. The ieaves somewhat resemblethose of the lemon tree, especially in colour;whence Tournefort ’s trivial name. When bruised,they smell like tiftose of the elder. This fine plantwas first discovered by Tournefort , on the coast ofthe Black Sea , on hills and in woods ; and Pallassays that it is also found in Siberia , in thick woods,and in the valleys which occur between the ridgesof lofty mountains. It is, generally speaking, sufficiently hardy to bear the win-ters ofthe climate ofLondon without protection; but, being disposed to put forthits young shoots very early, they are often injured in exposed situations, by thespring frosts; “ an inconvenience which probably might be avoided by plantingit in thickets, and under the shelter of trees.” (Bot. Mag., t. 1282.) It thrivesbest in soil similar to that usually prepared for American plants, on the shadyside of a wall, or in some other sheltered situation, where it will form a veryhandsome bush,4 ft. or 5 ft. high, and 6 ft. or 8 ft. in diameter. It may be propa-gated by seeds or cuttings. Plants, in the London nurseries, are Is. 6 d. each.

* 6. D. Thymela;'a L. The Thvmelaea, or Milkwort -like, Daphne.

Identification. Vahl Symb., 1. p. 28.; Willd. Sp. PI., 2. p. 416.

Synonymes. rhymelee'a foliis polygalas glabris Bauh. Pin., 463.; T. alpina glabra, floseulis subluteisad foliorum ortum sessilibus, Pluk. Aim.., 366. t. 229. f. 2.; Sanamunda viridis vel glabra Bauh.Prod., 160.; Sanamunda gl&bra Bauh. Hist., 1. p.592.; Passerina Thymelee'a Dec. ; the WildOlive; La Thymelie, Fr. ; astloser Seidelbast, Ger.

Derivation. rhymelee'a is probably derived from thymos, poison, and elaia, or ela>a, the olive tree,in reference to the poisonous qualities of the plant, and its slight resemblance to the olive.Engravings. Ger. Prov,, t. 17. f. 2.; Pluk. Aim., t. 229. f. 2.; and out fig. 1185.

Spec. Char., fyc. Evergreen. Stem much branched. Branches simple, warted.Leaves lanceolate, broader towards the tip, crowded. Flowers axillary,