ARAUCARIA  , a genus of coniferous trees included in the tribe Araucarineae . They are magnificent

evergreen trees, with apparently whorled branches, and stiff, flattened, pointed leaves, found in Brazil and Chile, Polynesia and Australia . The name of the genus is derived from Arauco, the name of the district in southern Chile where the trees were first discovered . Araucaria imbricata, the Chile pine, or " monkey puzzle," was introduced into Britain in 1796 . It is largely cultivated, and usually stands the winter of Britain; but in some years, when the temperature fell very low, the trees have suffered much . Care should be taken in planting to select a spot somewhat elevated and well drained . The tree grows to the height of 150 ft. in the Cordilleras of Chile . The cones are from 8 to 82 in. broad, and 7 to 7z in. long . The wood of the tree is hard and durable . This is the only species which can be cultivated in the open air in Britain . Araucaria brasiliana, the Brazil pine, is a native of the mountains of southern Brazil, and was introduced into Britain in 1819 . It is not so hardy as A. imbricata, and requires protection during winter .

It is grown in conservatories for

half-hardy plants . Araucaria excelsa, the Norfolk Island pine, a native of Norfolk Island and New Caledonia, was discovered during Captain Cook's second voyage, and introduced into Britain by Sir Joseph Banks in 1793 . It cannot be grown in the open air in Britain, as it requires protection from frost, and is more tender than the Brazilian pine . It is a majestic tree, sometimes attaining a height of more than 220 ft . The scales of its cones are winged, and have a hook at the apex . Araucaria Cunninghami, the Moreton Bay pine, is a tall tree abundant on the shores of Moreton Bay, Australia, and found through the littoral region of Queensland to Cape York Peninsula, also in New Guinea . It requires protection in England during the winter . Araucaria Bidwilli, the Bunya-Bunya pine, found on the mountains of southern Queensland, between the rivers Brisbane and Burnett, at 27° S. lat., is a noble tree, attaining a height of too to 150 ft., with a straight trunk and white wood . It bears cones as large as a man's head . Its seeds are very large, and are used as food by the natives . Araucaria Rulei, which is a tree of New Caledonia, attains a height of 50 or 6o ft . Araucaria Cookii, also a native of New Caledonia, attains a height of 150 ft .

It is found also in the Isle of Pines, and in the New

Hebrides . The tree has a remarkable appearance, due to shedding its primary branches for about five-sixths of its height and replacing them by a small bushy growth, the whole resembling a tall column crowned with foliage, suggesting to its discoverer, Captain Cook, a tall column of basalt .