Cotressus. CONIFERiE. 233 



or mucronate in the centre, at first connate, finally separating. Seeds compressed, angular, 

 affixed to the contracted bases of the scales. Cotyledons 2. — Evergreen trees, with small 

 scale-like closely imbricated appressed leaves. 



1. CupREssus THUYoiDEs, Liun. White Cedar. 



Branchlets compressed ; leaves imbricated in 4 rows, ovate, each v^ith a small glandular 

 tubercle on the back. — Linn. sp. 2. p. 1003 ; Michx. fi. 2. p. 208 ; Michx. f. sylv. 2. 

 p. 152; Pursh,fl. 2. p. 646 ; Ell. sk. 2. p. 644 ; Bigel.fl. Bost. p. 361 ; Beck, hot. p. 338; 

 Hook. Jl. Bor.-Am. 2. p. 165 ; Loud. enc. tr. <^ shr. p. 1074. Thuya sphasroidalis, L. C. 

 Rich. mem. conif. p. 45. 



A tree 30 - 70 feet high and 8 inches to 2 feet or more in diameter ; the bark fibrous, and 

 separating in long shreds. Leaves in very young plants (seedlings of one or tw^o years 

 growth) linear, about one-fourth of an inch long, distinct and spreading, mostly in close 

 whorls of three together ; but in the mature plant only about a line in length, very closely 

 imbricated, of a dull glaucous green hue ; the middle of the back furnished with a small 

 protuberant vesicle which is filled with a thin turpentine. Sterile aments globose, minute, 

 solitary at the extremity of the branchlets, each consisting of 6 - 8 ovate concave brownish 

 scales, which are attached by the base to a short filament : anther-cells 2 under each scale. 

 Cones the size of an ordinary pea, purplish when mature, consisting of a few thick somewhat 

 fleshy scales, which are furnished with a short flat point. Seeds 2 ? under each scale, oval, 

 compressed, surrounded with a narrow winged border. 



Sphagnous swamps. Long Island, where, in several places (as near Rockaway, Hempstead, 

 Babylon and Islip) it occurs in considerable quantities. Also at Peach Pond, Putnam county 

 {Dr. Mead). The wood of this tree is light, fine-grained, and exceedingly durable. It is 

 used like the Cypress, for shingles, cedar-ware, fence-rails, etc. It is also sawed into boards. 

 The tree is of very slow growth, a stock only a foot in diameter showing one or two hundred 

 annual circles. 



3. THUYA. Linn. ; Endl. gen. 1790. ARBOR VIT^E. 



[From the Greek, thyon, (acrifice ; the resin of the Eastern species having been used as incense in sacrifices.] 



Flowers monoecious. Sterile aments terminal, very small, ovoid. Anther-cells 4, opening 

 longitudinally. Fertile aments consisting of a few imbricated scales, each with 2 erect 

 ovules at the base. Cone ovoid or roundish ; the scales somewhat peltate or ovate, im- 

 bricated, smooth or with a recurved beak near the tip. Seeds 2 (or by abortion one) under 

 each scale, usually more or less winged. Cotyledons 2. — Evergreen trees or shrubs, with 

 scale-like leaves, which are closely imbricated in two or four rows, and compressed. 



[Flora — Vol. 2.] 80 



