This is a most beautiful hardy deciduous tree from Oregon, with purple and white flowers, and leaves rich crimson in the autumn. It was introduced by the Horti-cultural Society. There is probably no hardy tree in this country more eminently beautiful than this, if tree it can be called, for it seems rather a bush. In the spring, when its leaves unfold, they are preceded by long crimson leaf-scales, from two to four to each twig the leaves when they first come are thin, semi-transparent, and a clear light green; at the same time peep out little tufts of purple flowers, with white petals; and in the autumn the plant seems on fire with the rich red of the foliage, more rose-colored, and not less intense, than that of the most scarlet of Oaks. Sir William Hooker tells us that the species is found wild on the Great Rapids of the Columbia river, and is common along the north-west coast of North America, between lat 43° and49°. Mr. Douglas observes that it is exclusively confined to the woody mountainous country that skirts the shores, and there, among the pine forests, it forms almost impenetrable thickets. The branches are pendulous and crooked, often taking root, as is the case with many species of the genus Ficus. Bark smooth, green when young, white when fully grown.

The wood is fine, white, and close-grained, very tough and susceptible of a good polish. From the slender branches of this tree the native tribes make the hoops of their scoop-nets, which are employed for taking salmon at the rapids, and in the contracted parts of the river. It is said to form a tree 20 to 40 feet high. - Paxton's Flower Garden.