14 THE PINE FAMILY. 



the various conditions of atmosphere and soil under which it grows. Its 

 foliage is, in fact, little affected by dryness or an excessive amount of mois- 

 ture, for on the same tree different forms of branches and foliage will 

 sometimes be found to exist, and these are capable of either aiding or pre- 

 venting the escape of moisture. There are on the distichously-spreading 

 branchlets leaves which are linear-lanceolate and flat and which favour 

 the escape of moisture. While on the very fine, pendulous or erect branch- 

 lets there are tiny closely-appressed leaves whose mission is just the 

 reverse. 



The much discussed feature about the tree, however, is the way in which 

 its base is buttressed by great, hollow structures which spring from its 

 roots and are commonly known as " knees.'' When the tree grows in water 

 they are always produced, and in this case they grow high enough to 

 emerge. Sometimes a hundred of them form under the water a great 

 labyrinth which only becomes apparent when the swamp is drained. Should 

 the tree inhabit moist soil they are less conspicuous and often when it occurs 

 in dry soil they arise not at all above the surface of the ground. 



In the long ago, St. Pierre, in his innocence, put forth the idea that these 

 knees were especially designed to protect the tree against icebergs. But 

 now when the light of a later science has shone upon them, it is thought 

 that they serve it mechanically, by anchoring it with a herculean grasp in an 

 uncertain, yielding soil and by aiding it to resist heavy gales and storms. 

 To gain even greater strength they often wrap themselves, as does a vine, 

 about other forms of growth. The opinion is also held that these knees are 

 of physiological service to the tree in acting as organs of aeration, — that is in 

 facilitating the process of assimilation and thus furthering its nutrition and 

 well being. As a land-builder the tree is one of the greatest, and does this 

 service through a part of the country where swamps and long moss are the 

 principal features of the landscape. Its interlocked roots and knees give 

 support to many sub-aquatic plants which are anxious to grow while they, 

 in their turn, as they die down each year, add deposits of dried leaves which 

 contribute in bringing the marsh to the level of other land. 



In Louisiana and the Gulf states the cypress wood is sought for all such 

 purposes as interior finish, the panellings of doors, sashes, and for the large j | 

 tanks used in factories. It is especially desirable for the making of shingles, 

 which are said to last upwards of forty years. By lumbermen, the black, 

 white, red, yellow and variegated wood is recognised. From the outward 

 appearance of the tree, however, it is impossible to tell which sort it will 

 yield, although the young trees nearly always produce white wood. Formerly 

 the Indians of Mississippi made their canoes from the tree's hollow trunk. 



