70 CUPRESSUS ; OR 



A fine pyramidal tree, with numerous short, slender, hori- 

 zontal, or sometimes deflected branches to near the ground, 

 and drooping branchlets. It is found in great abundance in 

 Northern India, at elevations of from 4000 to 8000 feet. 



It grows to a great size ; trees from ten to fifteen feet or 

 more in girth are common, and one at a place called 'Urcho,' 

 in the Kothee State, north of Simla, is said to be six or seven 

 feet in diameter. Major Madden says the Lime Stone Moun- 

 tains of ' Nynee Tal ' are covered from 4500 to 6200 feet 

 with clumps of the most stately trees, the height of many of 

 them at least 150 feet, and all as straight as an arrow, with the 

 branches drooping slightly towards the ground, and so arranged 

 as to make the tree appear a perfect cone, — the largest specimen 

 measured by him being 16| feet in girth at five feet from the 

 ground, the spread of its branches 24 feet on each side ; but 

 about 12 feet is the average girth of the finer specimens at 

 * Nynee Tal,' where the tree is commonly called ' Haisulla,' 

 or King Pine. It seems to be unknown as an indigenous tree 

 in North- West Kamaoon, but in South-East Gurhwal it is in 

 abundance at from 7000 to 8000 feet of elevation. It is the 

 ' Soorui,' or ' Name Divine,' of the Himalayas, and the 

 Weeping Cypress of travellers. 



Timber, white, with a tint of red and yellow ; is exceedingly 

 fragrant, and considered equal to that of the Deodar for dura- 

 bility. Bark, reddish brown, peeling off" in numerous long 

 stripes, and frequently appears twisted, Avhich is supposed to 

 have suggested its specific name (torulosa). The wood and 

 branches are burnt in sacred rites, as incense, among the 

 Hindoos, both to please the gods, and scare away evil demons. 



It is more or less tender in England, and has the following 

 varieties : — 



CuPRESSUS TORULOSA VIRIDIS, Hort. 



This variety differs in having all its parts of a bright glossy 

 green, and rather slenderer than the species. 



