Cupressus 1 1 47 



bearing either (a) in one row, two to five, or (6) in several rows, numerous erect 

 urceolate ovules. Fruit, a globose cone, composed of four to fourteen woody peltate 

 scales, abruptly dilated at the apex, and bearing in the centre of the outer surface a 

 mucro, boss, or knob. Seeds erect on the base of the scale, acutely angled, com- 

 pressed or rounded, with two thin lateral wings. 



The genus consists of about fifteen species, 1 widely distributed throughout the 

 warm temperate region of the northern hemisphere ; and is divided into two sections, 

 which are by many authors considered to be two distinct genera. The only constant 

 difference between the sections appears to lie in the margin of the leaves. The 

 different periods of ripening of the cones, the number of seeds on each scale, and the 

 flattened or tetragonal branchlets, are too variable to form any real base of distinc- 

 tion. Penhallow 2 points out that while the microscopic structure of the wood of 

 Cupressus and Thuya is distinct, there is no difference in the wood of Cupressus and 

 Chamacyparis ; and considers that the latter must disappear as a genus. 



About fourteen species are in cultivation, which are distinguishable as follows : 



I. Eu-Cupressus. 



Leaves, fringed with a narrow thin translucent serrated border, 3 either uniform 

 in four ranks, or dimorphic with conduplicate lateral pairs and flattened facial 

 pairs. Branchlet systems either flattened with their pinnae in one plane, or 

 arising at varying angles with their pinnae in several planes. Cones large, 4 

 usually \ in. or more in diameter, ripening in the second year. Seeds, 4 usually 

 six to twenty on each scale, in several rows. Cotyledons two to five. 



A. Branchlet-sy stems flattened with the pinna in one plane. 



* Leaves oppressed. 

 i. Cupressus torulosa, Don. Western Himalayas. Seep. 1158. 



Branchlets equal-sided. Leaves obtuse, uniform in four ranks. Cones, |- in,, 

 globose or ellipsoid, on short usually curved stalks ; scales eight or ten, 

 external surface depressed, with a minute process. Seeds six to eight on each 

 scale. 

 2. Cupressus funedris, Endlicher. China. Seep. 11 62. 



Branchlets compressed. Leaves dimorphic, non-glandular, with a mucronate 

 scarcely spreading apex. Cones, 4 ^ in., globose, on long slender stalks; scales 

 eight, external surface not depressed, with a minute process. Seeds three to 

 five on each scale. 

 2A. Cupressus lusitanica, Miller, var. Benlhami, Carriere. Mexico. See p. 11 77. 

 Branchlets compressed. Leaves dimorphic, usually with a depressed circular 

 gland, apices mucronate and spreading. Cones and seeds as in C. lusitanica. 



1 Dacrydium Franklini, Hooker, the Huon pine, a native of Tasmania, which is occasionally cultivated in the west of 

 Scotland and in Cornwall, is frequently mistaken for a cypress. On close examination the leaves, which are dotted over with 

 white stomata, will be seen to be spirally arranged, and not in opposite decussate pairs, as in Cupressus. 



2 In Trans. Roy. Soc. Canada, ii. 4, p. 43 (1896). 



s This narrow serrated border can only be seen with a lens of considerable magnifying power. 



* C. ftmebris is exceptional in its small cones with few seeds on each scale, and is a link between the two sections. 



