The general diffusion of foreign Conifers, and their importance, not only as regards the effect which they will eventually prodnce in our landscapes, but as regards their intrinsic economic value, induces me to hope .that a notice of certain peculiarities which I have had opportunities of remarking in a few species, may not be unacceptable, and may possibly elicit papers on the same subject from persons who are qualified to treat of it more fully.

In and about Tortworth Park, at the extremity of the Bristol Coal Basin, the underlying beds of carboniferous limestone and old red sandstone crop out at a high angle, with occasional beds of the Triassic and Liassic formations resting on their flanks, producing not only great irregularities of surface, but important differences both in the constitution and quantity of the superincumbent soil. Over the whole of this ground the more common Coniferae are planted in great abundance, and, with a few exceptions (owing chiefly, I believe, to geological reasons), they grow rapidly and well.

As a general and sufficiently obvious rule, the Coniferae thrive in proportion to the depth of the surface soil on which they stand. This is especially the case with the Deodar and Pinus insignis. The rule does not, however, appear to apply invariably to Abies Douglassif, as I possess specimens growing as vigorously on the cold and sterile shales of the carboniferous limestone, as others on the deep and warm soil of the old red sandstone.

The most fastidious of the Conifers which I have had an opportunity of observing is, undoubtedly, Cryptomeria japonica. On the limestone its leading shoot is always defective, and its growth generally devoted to the formation of a nest-like mass of small shoots; whilst, on the old red, a formation deficient in lime, its growth is regular, upright, and graceful, and so rapid, that I have no hesitation in affirming that, in this locality, it would outgrow the larch..

The Deodar, on the other hand, appears to be the least discriminating, and the most accommodating of all the Coniferae. . No position, and no variety of soil, appear to come amiss to it; on lime or sandstone, rock, or clay, it grows with equal facility, though depth of soil, as before stated, invariably contributes to rapid growth.

Pinus insignis appears to prefer the old red to the limestone; on the latter formation it maintains its health, but its annual growth is comparatively small The most vigorous specimen of this Pine which I possess, stands on a deep loam, formed by the detrital matter of the overhanging hill, at the point of contact of the old red sandstone and the clay of the lower lias. This tree, which was planted about the year 1843, is now forty feet high, and, at one foot from the ground, five feet in circumference.

In Araucaria imbricata, though planted in considerable abundance, and in every variety of soil, I have not been able to detect any decided preference for one formation over another. It has an evident dislike to a wet locality, and it generally, though not exclusively, thrives best upon a deep soil.

Cupressus funebris, and Cupressus Goveniana, are both growing vigorously on limestone rock, with but little surface soil. The former of these trees is thriving equally upon a deep soil of the old red sandstone. Cupressus macrocarpa is growing rapidly on the clay ot the carboniferous limestone*

Taxodium sempervirens appears to be extremely capricions in its taste as regards the formation on which it grows; but I have in several cases remarked that it thrives, and even appears to luxuriate, in a shade which proves deleterious, and often fatal, to Pinus insignis.

There are many other Conifer© which appear to manifest habits or tastes peculiar to themselves; but which are either too young, or in numbers insufficient to justify me in attempting to generalise upon them. Indeed, all the remarks which 1 venture to offer in this short paper, are not made with a view to dogmatize upon the subject, but in order to call the attention of persons cultivating this tribe of plants, to the importance of selecting the position of such Coniferae as show any decided tastes. With some reference to geological position, it is true that many formations are not often met with upon one estate, more especially in one park - the locality in which the more valuable Coniferae are generally planted; but where such conditions do occur, a knowledge of the formation in which each species appears to thrive best cannot fail to prove important. Before such knowledge can be attained, more extended and more accurate observations will be necessary; and should this paper prove the means of calling the attention of more competent persons to ibis study, I shall feel that I have not recorded my brief experience in vain. - From Transactions of the Scottish Arboricultured Society.