RETINOSPORA. 367 



A fine evergreen tree, resembling Retinospora obtusa, found 

 in the gardens near Yecldo, in Japan. 



It was first imported by Mr. Standisb, of the Royal Nur- 

 sery, near Bagshot, in the early part of 1SG1, through the 

 valuable exertions of his friend, Mr. Robert Fortune. 



No. 8. Retinospora obtusa, Siebold, the Obtuse-leaved Japan 



Cypress. 



Syn. Chamsecyparis obtusa, Endlicher. 

 Champepeuce obtusa, Zuccarini. 

 Retinospora Fusinoki, Zuccarini. 



Leaves mostly in whorls of four, ovate-rhomboid, blunt, 

 seldom pointed, decussate, all scale-formed, closely pressed 

 along the branchlets, and adhering almost as far as the points, 

 the lower part only being visible ; those along the upper and 

 under rows are ovate-rhomboid, obtuse, and seldom acute, 

 while the side or lateral ones are keeled, and lap over at the 

 edges, are somewhat pointed, and almost sickle-shaped ; those 

 on the younger plants are more open, longer, and remain on 

 for several years. Branches spreading, lateral ones in two rows, 

 very dense, spreading out like a fan, and of a light shining 

 green colour. Cones solitary on the ends of the branchlets, 

 globular, about the size of a small grape, with eight or ten 

 scales, in alternate opposite pairs. Scales wedge-shaped at 

 the base, widest at the apex, with a plain surface, seldom 

 wrinkled, and of a rich brown colour, with two short-winged 

 seeds at the base of each scale. 



A tall evergreen tree, growing from seventy to one hundred 

 feet high, and from three to five feet in diameter, with an 

 erect straight stem. 



It constitutes a large portion of the forests in the mountains 

 on the Island of Nippon, in Jaj3an. Its timber is white, fine- 

 grained, compact, and acquires, when worked, the brilliancy of 

 silk; and in consequence of its valuable properties, the 

 Japanese dedicate it to the God of the Sun, and construct 



