Around the * Pond ”—First Excursion 
ter of full-grown trees, presents, in full sunlight, such a 
splendid spectacle as is unsurpassed by all the scenes 
of spring. The shining willow (Sax lucida), whose 
broader leaf, glossy and deep green, has less of the wil- 
low character, is admirable for strong color where the 
scenery needs the emphasis of a small but conspicuous 
tree. Mention is made elsewhere of the weeping willow, 
to which stern science, with an unwonted sentiment of 
poetry, has aptly given the specific name of Badylonica. 
Bap Cypress.— Like tall sentinels stationed here and 
there through the Park stand the bald cypresses ( Zax- 
odium distichum), the most columnar trees in the grounds 
save the Lombardy poplar. ‘This is a deciduous conifer ; 
which means that, though having cones like evergreens, 
its foliage is shed each fall—evidently one of the links 
(zo¢ missing) that bridge the broad interval between 
such diverse forms as the maple and the spruce. 
With the impassive air of evergreens, the cypresses 
have a half-mournful look that the eye cannot long dwell 
upon with pleasure. They are cold and statuesque, but 
the world needs some of them, though not many, for 
their type strongly contrasts with everything around 
them, and an observant eye will pause to note their 
singularity. In full foliage they are richly but delicately 
draped in green, but are most peculiar in late spring 
when the closely crowded buds are just opening, and a 
fine continuous ruff of light green runs along the upper 
edge of every limb, strongly emphasized by the almost 
black bark ; the effect is a little like that of the budding 
larch, but more striking. Nature had a divided mind 
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