364 THE BOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



sile, with 2 ovules at the base of each peltate scale. 

 Cones, globular or globose, with angular, woody, thick, 

 shield-shaped scales. Leaves deciduous and distichous. 



The Taxodium proper is now restricted to one species, 

 with numerous varieties and forms. Brongniart records 

 a new species found in this country, but its existence is 

 much doubted, owing to the inclination of this tree to as- 

 sume different forms. 



The name is derived from two Greek words signifying 

 Tew, and resembling. In regard to its early botanical 

 history, Loudon records the following notes: "Parkinson, 

 in 1640, expresses his doubts that this tree was not ' a 

 true cipresse,' and suggests that it must have been called 

 so from the fragrance of the wood. It was, however, 

 classed by Linna3us and all succeeding botanists as a Cu- 

 pressus, until M. Richard, in the ' Annales du MuseeJ 

 torn. XYI. p. 269, constituted it a genus under the name 

 of Taxodium, which name was applied from the leaves 

 being disposed in the same manner as those of the Yew. 

 Two years afterwards M. Mirbel and M. Schubert describ- 

 ed it as a separate genus under the name of Schubertia / 

 but the name of Taxodium, having been applied first and 

 accompanied by a scientific description, necessarily takes 

 precedence." 



T. distichum, 'Richard. DECIDUOUS CYPRESS. BALD 

 CYPRESS. Syn. Cupressus disticha, L. Leaves from % to 

 f- of an inch long, linear, acute, distichous, flat, alternate 

 or opposite, occasionally in whorls. Branches, stout, 

 horizontal, slightly incurved at the extremities, with nu- 

 merous slender branchlets. Cones from f to 1 inch in di- 

 ameter, spherical, closed, hard, and uneven ; with shield- 

 shaped, woody, thick scales. Seeds, small, ligneous, with 

 narrow wings. Cotyledons, 2 to 3. 



The Deciduous Cypress, although strictly a southern, 

 tree, thrives admirably in the climate of the Middle 

 States. Its most northern natural limits are the Cypress 



