248 



PRACTICAL FORESTRY. 



oblong, two to three inches long, of usually twenty-five to 

 thirty scales. Seeds three to seven to each scale, brownish, 

 with spongy wing-like margin. Cone and a small branch shown 

 in fig. 52, each about one half natural size, with seed between 

 full size of nature. This is called the "pride of the California 

 woods," and it occurs only in groves and isolated groups that 

 i xtend along a line of some two hundred and forty miles. The 



largest and tallest one yet 

 discovered, is in what is 

 called the Calveras Grove, 

 and is three hundred and 

 twenty -five feet high. 

 The so-called Grizzly Gi- 

 ant of the Mariposa 

 Grove is a little over nine- 

 ty-three feet in circum- 

 ference at the ground. 

 Unfortunately this valu- 

 able and noble tree is not 

 a success in our Eastern 

 States, and although an 

 occasional specimen will 

 thrive, it does not appear 

 to be adapted to our cli- 

 mate. I raised a large 

 number of seedlings in 

 1858, which were distrib- 

 uted among my acquaint- 

 ances, but I very much 

 doubt if there is one now 

 alive. I have also pro- 

 cured specimens many 

 times since, but sooner or later they would die out. A cool, 

 moist soil, and climate, where the winters are not very severe, 

 appears to suit it best. It seems to thrive well in England. 



TAXODIUM, Richard. Bald Cypress. 

 A genus, as now restricted, containing but one species, and 

 this found in our Southern States, and westward into Mexico. 

 The flowers are monoecious on the same branch. Sterile cat- 

 kins in a long, spiked panicle, drooping with few stamens, fer- 

 tile ones with low ovules at the base of each scale. Leaves 

 deciduous, and set in two ranks on the branchlets. 



Fig. 52. CONE, BRANCHLET, AND SEED 

 OF SEQUOIA GIGANTEA. 



