THE JAPAN CYPRESSES. 295 



No. 2. Retinispora obtusa, Siebold, the Obtuse-leaved 



Japan Cypress. 



Syn. Chamaecyparis obtusa, EncUicher. 



Leaves, mostly in whorls of four, ovate-rhomboid, blunt, 

 seldom pointed, decussate, all scale-formed, closely pressed 

 along the branchlets, and adhering almost as far as the points, 

 the lower part only being visible ; those along the upper and 

 under rows are ovate-rhomboid, obtuse, and seldom acute, 

 while the side or lateral ones are keeled, and lap over at the 

 edges, are somewhat pointed, and almost sickle-shaped ; those 

 on the younger plants are more open, longer, and remain on for 

 several years. Branches, spreading, lateral ones in two rows, 

 very dense, spreading out like a fan, and of a light shining 

 green colour. Cones, solitary on the ends of the branchlets, 

 globular, about the size of a small grape, with eight or ten 

 scales, in alternate opposite pairs. Scales, wedge-shaped at the 

 base, widest at the apex, with a plain surface, seldom wrinkled, 

 and of a rich brown colour, with two short-winged seeds at the 

 base of each scale. 



A tall evergreen tree, growing from seventy to one hundred 

 feet high, and from three to five feet in diameter, with an erect 

 straight stem. 



It constitutes a large portion of the forests in the mountains 

 on the Island of Nippon, in Japan. Its timber is white, fine- 

 grained, compact, and acquires, when worked, the brilliancy of 

 silk ; and in consequence of its valuable properties, the Japanese 

 dedicate it to the God of the Sun, and construct chapels and 

 small temples out of its timber, for divine purposes. It is the 

 Hinoki {i. e. Tree of the Sun), and the glory of eastern forests. 



No. 3. Retinispora pisifera, Siebold, the Pea-fruited 



Retinispora. 



Syn. Chamaecyparis pisifera, Siebold. 



Leaves, in four rows, decussate, all scale-formed on the adult 

 plants, and remaining on the plant for five years, those growing 

 over the axis of the branchlets almost adnate even to the apex, 



