366 THE BOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



Swamps of Maryland, and the extreme southern part of' 

 Delaware. Throughout almost every portion of the South- 

 ern States this tree is found in the low, miasmatic 

 swamps, and occasionally very plentifully, especially 

 along the borders of the rivers and larger streams. 

 Indeed, in the Gulf States these Cypress Swamps cover 

 thousands of acres, and along the Mississippi River partic- 

 ularly they extend for hundreds of miles. In Florida and 

 Georgia the tree is exceedingly plentiful, and borders the 

 rivers with an almost impenetrable mass of foliage. 



In the rich alluvial bottoms this tree often grows to the 

 height of 120 feet, forming an immense base, double the 

 diameter of the body of the tree. 



The roots often form large, conical excrescences or 

 knobs, which rise above the -surface of the soil, and are 

 always hollow. These are usually known as " Cypress- 

 knees," and are frequently used for bee-hives and other 

 purposes. The cause of these knobs is obscure ; no ap- 

 parent function for which they are adapted has been ascer- 

 tained, but after the tree has arrived at the height of 20 

 or 25 feet, these curious appendages commence to appear, 

 and more particularly in marshy ground. 



The beautiful foliage of this species, as well as its pecu- 

 liar conical or almost fastigiate form, justly entitles it to a 

 front rank in the list of ornamental trees ; and notwith- 

 standing we occasionally find healthy, vigorous plants 

 growing on high, dry situations, we would prefer a moist 

 soil for its successful cultivation. For particular situations 

 the lofty, spiral top of this Cypress looms up above the 

 surrounding foliage with a very agreeable effect. In the 

 case of old trees they frequently change their form and 

 assume a tabular shape, as is instanced in the Cedar of 

 Lebanon. It was introduced into England prior to the 

 year 1640, where it succeeds very satisfactorily. 



The many distinct forms which it so frequently assumes 

 have given rise to quite a multiplicity of names, trees 



