CUPRESSUS NOOTKATENSIS. 217 



by no means result in tlie fate which threatens its near neighbour, 

 Abies bradeata. Cupressus macrocarpa has been planted in thousands 

 throughout the Pacific States, in the warmer parts of Europe and even 

 in Australia, and produces seeds freely, so that its disappearance from 

 the rocky shore of Monterey would in no way affect its perpetuation 

 in other localities. 



According to Gordon the introduction of this beautiful Cypress 

 into British gardens took place in this wise : 



"In 1831 Mr. Lambert gave the Horticultural Society of London a 

 few seeds of a Cypress without any name or indication of origin, and 

 from these seeds plants were raised which in due course were seen to be 

 distinct from any previously known species. The name Cupressus 

 Lambertiana was applied to them in compliment to Mr. Lambert but not 

 published. Nothing was ascertained concerning its native country till 

 two or three years afterwards when plants of the same kind were 

 observed in Mr. Low's nursery at Clapton which had been raised from 

 seeds received from Dr. Fischer, Director of the Imperial Botanic Garden 

 at St. Petersburg, as a new species of Cnpressus from California. The 

 tree was re-discovered by Hartweg in 1846 near Monterey and named by 

 him Cupressus macrocarpa in reference to its large fruits." * 



Large trees of Cupressus macrocarpa ranging from 50 to over 80 feet 

 high are scattered over the country from Perthshire to Cornwall and also 

 throughout Ireland. And even in Orkney it is reported to be one of the 

 most valuable Conifers that have been tried in the island, standing the 

 strong winds without any signs of injury.! Although generally speaking 

 it is hardy in the climate of Great Britain, the fact that many fine 

 specimens have been killed or greatly injured in exceptionally severe 

 winters as that of 18601861, should not be overlooked, and therefore it 

 is inadvisable to plant it in situations too exposed. It is one of the best 

 of Conifers for parks and gardens near the sea except along 'the east 

 coast; under the influence of the sea air it grows rapidly into dense 

 pyramidal or columnar piles of the brightest green. Very different from 

 these is the aspect of Cupressus macrocarpa in its native home, where, on the 

 rocky granite shore of South California, it is constantly exposed to the 

 strong westerly winds which sweep with full force over the Pacific Ocean. 

 These winds prevent the development of branches except in a horizontal 

 direction, so that under their influence all old trees assume a form such 

 as that shown in the accompanying figure which represents a sketch of a 

 group of trees made by Sir Joseph Hooker in September 1877. Many 

 visitors to South California who have seen the Cypresses near Monterey 

 have been struck by their close resemblance to old Cedars of Lebanon 

 in Europe. 



Cuprfessus nootkatensis. 



A large tree with an erect trunk often attaining a height of 

 80 120 feet with a diameter of 3 4 feet ; at its northern limit and 

 highest vertical elevation reduced to a small shrub or low contorted tree. 

 Bark greyish brown, irregularly fissured into loose thin plates which on 

 being peeled ofl expose a bright cinnamon-red inner cortex. Primary 



* Journal of the Horticultural Society of London, loc. cit, supra. 

 t Dunn's Census in the Report of the Conifer Conference at Chiswick, p. 526. 



