TREES OF AMERICA. 245 



reddish colour ; it is very strong and elastic, 

 and is lighter and less filled with turpentine 

 than that of the pines : but its greatest excel- 

 lence is its durability; well seasoned, it lasts 

 more than twice as long as any of the species 

 of pine : it is considerably used in building, 

 but much more extensively in making shin- 

 gles, which will last forty years. Where it is 

 plentiful', it is also much used for posts, and 

 for water-pipes ; it resists the decaying power 

 of moisture better than almost any other 

 wood. To give you an idea of the value 

 of the cypress, I will tell you that the con- 

 sumption of shingles made from its wood, has 

 been calculated at more than a hundred mil- 

 lions every year ; but I am sorry to say, that 

 in consequence of this enormous consumption, 

 the trees are becoming scarce. 



" You will now be able to perceive the 

 points of resemblance and difference between 

 the cypress and the white cedar, which, as I 

 said before, is sometimes considered as be- 

 longing to the same class. I must confess, 

 however, that in my opinion it is quite dis- 

 tinct, for it is an ever-green. It is found 

 chiefly in Virginia and the adjoining States, 

 and only in wet grounds : in the Dismal 



