]■;VERGREE^f ORNAMENTAL TREKS 299 



one of the fastest growing timber trees, as we have ah'cadj; 

 noticed. 



The Deodara, or Indian Cedar (Cedrus Deodara), is a 

 magnificent species of this tree, recently introduced from 

 the high mountains of Nepal and Indo-Tartary. It stands 

 the climate of Scotland, and appears likely to succeed here 

 wherever the Cedar of Lebanon will flourish. In its native 

 country it is described as being a lofty and majestic tree, 

 frequently attaining the height of 150 feet, with a trunk 30 

 feet in circumference. The leaves are larger than those 

 of the Cedar of Lebanon, of a deeper bluish green, covered 

 with a silvery bloom ; the cones, borne in pairs, are of a 

 reddish brown color, and are both longer and broader than 

 those of the latter species. In some parts of Upper India 

 it is considered a sacred tree (^Deodara — tree of God), and 

 is only used to burn as incense in days of high ceremony ; 

 but in others it is held in the highest esteem as a timber 

 tree, having all the good qualities of the Cedar of Lebanon 

 — its great durability being attested by its sound state in 

 the roofs of temples of that country, which cannot have 

 been built less than 200 years. 



We have but just introduced the Deodara into the United 

 States, and can therefore say little of its growth or beauty 

 here, though we have little doubt that it will prove one of 

 the noblest evergreen trees for our pleasure grounds. Lou- 

 don says, " the specimens in England are yet small ; but 

 the feathery lightness of its spreading branches, and the 

 beautiful glaucous hue of its leaves, render it, even when 

 young, one of the most ornamental of the coniferous trees ; 

 and all the travellers who have seen it full grown, agree 

 that it unites an extraordinary degree of majesty and gran- 

 deur with its beauty. The tree thrives in every part of 



