THE CYPRESS SUB-FAMILY. 357 



green above, and silvery glaucous below. Branches 

 spreading and drooping. Cones, globular, terminal, soli- 

 tary. Scales, 8 to 10, ligneous, light brown color, smooth, 

 with 2 winged seeds at the base of each. 



Without doubt the most beautiful of the family ; it is 

 found on the Island of Nippon, in Japan, where it forms 

 a great portion of the forest. It is also largely cultivated, 



Fig. 56. RETINISPORA OBTTTSA. 



not only for ornament, but for the beauty and excellence 

 of its timber. The natives attach a sacred importance to 

 this tree, and in consequence use it for building their 

 temples. It forms a tree from 60 to 80 feet in height, 

 with dense, spreading branches, and the foliage of a bril- 

 liant green color. It has stood well in England the past 

 few years, although with a slight protection of mats. In 

 our own collection it has been satisfactory for three sea- 

 sons, but loses the silvery glaucousness on the under side 

 of the leaves, when planted in the open ground. 



