To judge of the graceful character of the Funereal Cypress, one 
has but to look at Tab. 41 of the Atlas of Plates accompanying 
Lord Macartney’s Embassy to China, where we learn that in 
the north of China it is the tree used to adorn cemeteries ;—and, 
with regard to the present, which is of the Yew tribe of Conifere, 
the large size of the foliage, with its pectinated arrangement on 
the branches, must give it a pre-eminence over all other Zaxinee. 
Our flowering-plant (male flowers only) is drawn from a dried 
specimen sent home by Mr. Fortune, aided by a recent twig 
from Mr. Standish’s nursery. These male flowers show clearly 
that it belongs to the genus Cephalotacus of the lamented Endli- 
cher. Insome respects it approaches the Japanese C. pedunculata 
of Sieb. and Zuccarini, Fl. Jap. v. 2. p. 133; and we regret that 
our bookseller has not yet supplied us with the Fasciculus con- 
taining this species ; but if Endlicher is correct in referrmg Zacus 
Harringtonia of the Pinetum Woburnense, t. 68, to it, we may 
safely assert that our plant is not the same, but a perfectly un- 
described species. 
Descr. In the absence of a well-grown plant, we can say 
little or nothing of the tree, save that it is stated by Mr. 
Fortune to grow to a height of from forty to sixty feet. Its 
branches are probably spreading or drooping, obscurely 
streaked or furrowed, distichous, pale brown, slender. Leaves 
quite distichous, alternate or opposite, approximate, three to 
four inches long, linear, tapering a little at the base, much 
and gradually acuminate, one-nerved, dark full green above, 
- paler beneath. From the axils of numerous leaves the male 
capitule of flowers appears, globose, about as large as a small 
pea on a short scaly stalk. This head consists of several 
imbricated, broadly ovate, almost round, concave, brown, erose 
scales, including a little amentum of stamens. A filament ter- 
minates in a small scale, bearing three pendulous anther-cells. 
Female flower and fruit at present unknown. W. J. H. 
Cuxr. This is described as forming a handsome, spreading, ever- 
n tree. It comes from the north of China, and, as might be ex- 
pected, is perfectly hardy. A plant in the Bagshot Nursery stood 
in the open air during the last winter, without being in the least 
injured. As it increases from cuttings as readily as the common 
Yew, and grows freely, we may expect to see this rare tree soon 
become common. We learn that Mr. Standish has already a 
considerable stock of young plants. J. 8. 
Fig. 1. Male capitulum. 2. Front view, and 3, back view of a stamen. 4. 
Scale of capitulum, with the little male amentum. 5. Capitulum removed from 
its scaly stalk :—magnified. 
