CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DECIDUOUS CYPRESS 215 



a bronze shade of colour and often remain 

 on the braTiches as late as January. 

 (2) The leading shoots are persistent, the non- 

 leaders and budless shoots fall away with 

 the leaves, and litter the ground underneath 

 as if squirrels had been at work. 

 ,(3) It can be recognized from other trees in 

 winter by a very marked appearance. The 

 branchlets are studded all over with white 

 dots caused by the leaf-scars. 

 (4) Another but less distinctive clue may be 

 perhaps worth calling the attention of the 

 stranger to, and that is its appearance at 

 a distance in the sere and yellow of its days. 

 The orange colour of its branches and twigs 

 shows out clear against the sky, and light 

 up a winter landscape in the same way that 

 brightly stemmed willows are known to 

 do, or that Japanese Larch are beginning 

 to be recognized as doing, and as in a lesser 

 degree our Poplars and Field Maples, both 

 of which have a winter colour of their 

 own when bared of leaves. 

 These are a few indications that give a clue to its 

 identity in winter time, and they are distinguishing 

 clues under which no other tree can masquerade. 



We have read, heard and seen everywhere, and 

 have every reason to believe that what we have read, 

 heard, and seen is true, and all evidences announce 

 the regrettable fact, that this tree of our subject has 

 not been planted much of late years. Is it the fault 

 of the nurserymen for not calling, or the fault of the 

 landowners for not paying, attention to it ? 



In a circular-built temple of Vesta at Rome it is 

 recorded that a sacred fire, which was regarded as 

 essential to the w^ell-being of that State, was kept 

 perpetually burning and aflame ; and, moreover, 



