CHAP, iv S YL V A 255 



late 1 traveller found otherwise, and depending, like 

 other coniferous trees ; the sturdy arms, though in 

 smaller sprigs, grow in time so weighty, as often to 

 bend the very stem, and main shaft, whilst that which 

 is most remarkable, is the structure of the cones and 

 seeds receptacles, tack'd and rang'd between the 

 branch-leaves, in such order, as nothing appears more 

 curious and artificial, and at a little distance, exceed- 

 ingly beautiful: These cones have the bases rounder, 

 shorter, or rather thicker, and with blunter points, 

 the whole circum-zon'd, as it were, with pretty broad 

 thick scales, which adhere together in exact series to 

 the very top and summit, where they are somewhat 

 smaller ; but the entire lorication smoother couch'd 

 than those of the fir-kind : Within these repositories 

 under the scales, nestle the small nutting seeds, or 

 rather kernels, of a pear-shape, though somewhat 

 bigger ; which how nourish'd and furnish'd from the 

 central style, with their other integuments, is admir- 

 ably describ'd by Mr. Ray, as that of the stalk of the 

 clogs, thicker and longer, and so firmly knit to them, 

 that it requires considerable force to part them from 

 the branch, without splitting the arm it self. We 

 have said nothing concerning the leaf of this tree, 

 which much resembles those of the larix^ but some- 

 what longer and closer set, erect and perpetually 

 green, which those of the larch are not ; but hanging 

 down, drop-off, and desert the tree in Winter. 



The seeds drop out of the cones as other fir, pine- 

 kernels and nuts do, when the air, sun, or moisture 

 open and unglue the scales, which naturally it else 

 does not in those of the cedar till the second year ; 

 but which after all the preparations of burying in 



1 Le Bruyn. 



