ASIATIC CONIFERS. 



place, tliere are such differences among the specimens of Indian Cypresses raised in 

 Euo-land, and between them and the wild specimens, as to suggest reasonable doubts 

 concerning their identity. As far as we can investigate the matter, Indian evidence 

 seems to fail us, and home evidence is conclusive. All that can be affirmed with con- 

 fidence is, that in this country, raised from Himalayan seeds, exists a glaucous, upright, 

 graceful Cypress, which is distinct from all European kinds, and to which the name 

 of torulosa is applied. It has a perfectly straight stem, and when young, a compact, 

 conical growth, by which it is known at first sight. It attains a large size, and is a 

 fine tree. Native of Bootan and Nepal. 



CuPRKSSus GLAUCA ; syn. LusiTANiCA — The Cedar of Goa. — This extremely gi-ace- 

 ful and beautiful plant will succeed in the open borders only in the very mildest parts 

 of Britain. In that country it is frequently cultivated in green-houses and conserva- 

 tories for the grace and beauty it throws in among a collection of plants. In this 

 way only can it be cultivated in the Middle and Northern States ; but as a plant for 

 the Southern States few have greater claims upon the planter, from its elegance, grace 

 and beauty. It is a fine tree, of large size, near Goa, in Hindostan. 



CupRESSus FUNEBRis. — On the introduction of this tree from China by Mr. For- 

 tune, it was spoken of by some of the first writers of the day as one of the most 

 beautiful evergreen trees ever introduced. Has it proved to be so ? So far I think it 

 has, as few evergreen trees have promised better. It is free and thrifty in its gi-owth, 

 even in its young state is very beautiful, and judging from the little experience had 

 of it, it will prove hardy in the Middle States. Its discoverer, Mr. Fortune, thus 

 writes of it : " The most beautiful tree found in this district is a species of Weeping 

 Cypress, which I had never met with in any other part of China, and which was quite 

 new to me. It was during one of my daily rambles that I saw the first specimen. 

 About half a mile distant from where I was, I observed a noble looking fir-tree, about 

 sixty feet in height, having a stem as straight as the Norfolk Island Pine, and weeping 

 branches like the Willow of St. Helena. Its branches grew at first at right angles to 

 the main stem, then described a gi-aceful curve upward, and bent again at their points. 

 From these main branches others long and slender hung down perpendicularly, and 

 gave the whole tree a weeping and graceful form. It reminded me of some of 

 those large and gorgeous chandeliers, sometimes seen in theatres and public halls in 

 Europe." Dr. Lindley says of it :* " This is probably the most interesting coniferous 

 plant yet in cultivation, and must in time displace the Weeping AVillow. It is per- 

 fectly hardy, as was indicated by its native country. A figure is given in Lord 

 Macartney's Eu^bassy to China, where it forms a w'eeping tree in the foreground 

 of the view of the 'Vale of Tombs,' a place situated in the inclement climate of 

 Zhe-hol. The rude representation of it on Chinese porcelain, having been copied by 

 our manufacturers, have given rise to the ' willow pattern' found in one of the com- 

 monest kinds of English table ware." Native of the Northern Provinces of China, 



CupRESsus SEMPERViRENS. — This tho well known Cypress of Southern Europe and 

 the Levant, used principally in those countries for planting cemeteries and grave yards. 



*raxton'8 Flower Garden. — Vol. I, p. 47. 



