CtJPREssus. CONIFERyE. 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 apprcssed leaves. 



1. CupREssus THUYOiDEs, Liun. White Cedar. 



Branchlets compressed ; leaves imbricated in 4 rows, ovate, each with a small glandular 

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

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

 Hook. Jl. Bor.-Arn. 2. p. 165 ; Loud. enc. tr. ^- slir. p. 1074. Thuya sphaeroidalis, 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 two 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, sacrifice ; 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 arc closely imbricated in two or four rows, and compressed. 



[Flora — Vol. 2.] 30 



