THE CYPRESS SUB-FAMILY. 339 



Var. Meldensis, Hort. Syn. B. Meldensis, Lawson. 

 Notwithstanding most foreign writers have considered this 

 curious plant a hybrid, and some even supposed it bore a 

 close relationship to the Red Cedar, (Juniperus Vir- 

 giniana,) it has nevertheless proven to be a distinct va- 

 riety of the B. orientalis. The fruit, which perfected the 

 past season, has 

 stamped its true 

 origin ; and a study 

 of the foliage plain- 

 ly shows that it has 

 abnormal leaves, or, 

 in other words, they 

 are in the cataphyl- 

 lary state. The 

 leaves are sharp, 

 needle-shaped, de- 

 current, glaucous on 

 the young shoots, 

 and light green on 

 the adult branches. 

 Like the young seed- 

 lings of the species, 

 the foliage changes 

 to a dingy hue 

 during the winter 

 months. A remark- 

 able feature in this 

 plant is a curious 

 zigzag form in the Fi S- 53. BIOTA ORIENTALIS, VAK. MELDENSIS. 



younger growth, having the appearance, early in the sea- 

 son, of spiral circles, and is very decided in its char- 

 acter. Although it is quite handsome, especially during 

 the early summer months, we cannot recommend it for 

 hardiness, nor freedom from blight in the lower branches 

 a serious defect in the whole genus. 



