346 THE BOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



name of Thuiopsis, from which genus, however, it is very 

 distinct, it is yet known by that name in this country, and 

 more particularly in our nursery catalogues. As these 

 misnomers always strike at the very life of botany, every 

 plant should invariably receive its correct title without 

 regard to any previous one that has been incorrectly ap- 

 plied to it. Nuttall says : " It has a near affinity with the 

 common White Cedar, but that has shorter, flatter, and 

 more spreading branches, with tubercles on the back of 

 the leaves, and smaller fruit." 



This species was introduced into England in the year 

 1851, by Dr. Fischer, through the Russian Gardens at St. 

 Petersburg. 



.'. C. thyoides, Linnaeus. WHITE CEDA.R. Syn. Cha- 

 msecyparis sphseroidea, Spach, &c. Leaves, very small, 

 ovate, appressed, regularly imbricated in four rows, very 

 numerous, light glaucous green color. Branches, spread- 

 ins:, and drooping at the extremities, Avith numerous 2- 

 edged branchlets. Cones, very small, globular, clustered, 

 short-peduncled, few-seeded 5 with shield-shaped, blunt- 

 pointed scales. Seeds, very small and globular. 



This well-known species has been made the type of a 

 new genus by Spach, and consequently described by sev- 

 eral European authors, prominent among whom are End- 

 licher, Knight, Carriere, Gordon, &c., as Chamcecyparis. 

 Our American botanists, however, who have known it from 

 childhood, and whose facilities for close investigation are 

 amply sufficient, refuse to accept the innovation, and con- 

 sequently retain it in Cupressus. 



From Florida to our northern lakes, the White Cedar 

 is occasionally found, being more or less plentiful accord- 

 ing to the soil and situation. In either of its extreme 

 limits it is somewhat rare, being more abundant through- 

 out the Middle States, Virginia, and North Carolina. It 

 is invariably restricted to low, marshy ground, where- it 

 flourishes with unusual vigor, and multiplies with rapid- 



