97 



XXXI. 



TAXODINE^. 



THE DECIDUOUS CYPRESS. 



TAXODIUM DISTICH UM. 



Closely related to the sequoias, which occupy 

 the Western slopes of the Southern States, the 

 deciduous cypress is distributed over the Eastern 

 sidd, extending as far as the Mississippi. Being a 

 semi-aquatic tree it is said to flourish on the 

 banks and among the swamps of that river, 

 attaining a height of upwards of a hundred feet, 

 with a stem nearly equal in thickness to 5. 

 gigantea. In wet situations, the roots take a 

 peculiar growth, rising a foot, and even more, 

 straight out of the ground for several yards from 

 the tree. It is supposed that they come out to 

 get air. 



The leaves, of a bright green, turning red in 

 the autumn, are flat, and arranged as in the yew, 

 hence its botanical name from taxiis, the yew, and 

 eidos, like. 



The branches are stifl, and disposed to rise ; 

 the branchlets slender and tapering at the ends. 



